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HISTORY

ST. CHARLES, MONTGOMERY AND WARREN

COUNTIES, MISSOURI,

WRITTEN AND COMPILED

FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC OFFICIAL AND PRIVATE SOURCES,

INCLUDING A HISTORY OF THEIR

TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS AND VILLAGES,

TOGETHER WITH

A CONDENSED HISTORY OF MISSOURI; A RELIABLE AND DETAILED HISTORY OF
ST. CHARLES, MONTGOMERY AND WARREN COUNTIES — THEIR PIONEER
RECORD, RESOURCES, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT
CITIZENS; GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS OF GREAT
VALUE; INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES.

ST. LOUIS:

NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMPANY

1885.

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1885, by
O. P. "WILLIAMS & CO.,

St. Louis , Mo.:

Press of Nixon- Jones Printing Co,

St. Louis , Mo. :
Becktold cf Co., Book-binders,

PREFACE.

115.1615

The deeds of the Anglo-Saxons who first came to the bottom lands
of the territory now embraced within the boundaries of St. Charles,
'c Montgomery and Warren counties, when the county was red-peopled
v and Virgin, and made for themselves homes and habitations, cannot
be too well remembered, and their history cannot be often told. The
j achievements of those who came next after the first chasseurs , voya -
geurs , and pioneers — the statesmen, the warriors, the planters, who
have given to the country not only its notoriety, its fame and its
•N glory, but its material prosperity as well — these ought never to be
forgotton. Their personal histories, what they have wrought — the
schools they established, the churches they built, the towns and cities
they built, the battles they fought, ought to be known and remem¬
bered.

These things this history purports to record, imperfectly of course,
but after a form much better than none. If now in this year 1885,
the private diary for two years of a member of the Plymouth Puri-
\ tan colony is valued at more than 300 ounces of fine gold, as it is,
perhaps this volume may be appreciated in time if it is not by the pres¬
ent generation.

This history is what the people of the three counties of St. Charles,

Montgomery and Warren have made it. But for their co-operation

it never would or could have been written. It is thev who dictated.

what should be printed in it, by furnishing chiefly the data, facts and
etails which it sets forth. True, all previously published histories
and other volumes containing anything of interest pertaining to the
history of the three counties have been drawn upon, and so have all
written records, but everything has been made to receive the corrobo¬
ration of living witnesses, when at all practicable. No historical
statement made herein ought to be questioned save for the best of

reasons.

The numerous biographical sketches of the leading citizens of the
three counties constitute a prominent and one of the most valuable’
features of the book. Here are the personal histories of individuals
not to be found elsewhere, and every biography will be sought after

(hi)

PEEFACE.

and read with deep interest by hundreds. These sketches have been
carefully written, and in most instances revised by the subjects them¬
selves, and an overlooked typographical imperfection will account for
every error found therein.

No pains have been spared to make the volume what was promised.
In truth, its publication has been long delayed in order that it might
be as nearly as possible in all respects a valuable, complete and accur¬
ate history. On examination it will be found to contain much more
than was promised — perhaps much more than was expected.

The obligations of the historians, as well as of the publishers, to
the people of the three counties for assistance rendered, and for infor¬
mation furnished, are so numerous and so great that no attempt will
be made to discharge them ; their acknowledgment must suffice. The
early settlers, the county and municipal officials, editors of news¬
papers, secretaries and custodians of the records of societies and
institutions, and hundreds of private citizens have given assistance and
information. To mention each one by name would be a great task
indeed.

Having so far as it was possible accomplished the work to which
our time and labor have been given during the past six months, and
in the hope that a cordial welcome and generous approval ma}7 be
accorded this volume, the same is respectfully submitted.

THE PUBLISHERS.

CONTENTS

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

CHAPTER I.

LOUISIANA PURCHASE

Brief Historical Sketch . . . 1-7

CHAPTER II.

DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL.

Name — Extent — Surface — Rivers — Timber — Climate — Prairies — Soils — Popula¬
tion by Counties . 7-13

CHAPTER III.

GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI.

Classification of Rocks — Quatenary Formation — Tertiary — Cretacious — Carbonife r
ous — Devonian — Silurian — Azoic — Economic Geology — Coal — Iron — Lead —
Copper — Zinc — Building Stone — Marble — Gypsum — Lime — Clays — Paints —
Springs — WaterPower . . . 13-21

CHAPTER IV.

TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Title to Missouri Lands — Right of Discovery — Title of France and Spain — Cession
to the United States — Territorial Changes — Treaties with Indians — First Settle¬
ment — Ste. Genevieve and New Bourbon — St. Louis — When Incorporated —
Potosi — St. Charles — Portage des Sioux — New Madrid — St. Francois County —
Perry — Mississippi — Loutre Island — “Boone’s Lick” — >Cote Sans Dessein —
Howard County — Some First Things — Counties — When Organized . 21-27

CHAPTER Y.

TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION

Organization 1812 — Council — House of Representatives — William Clark First Terri¬
torial Governor — Edward Hempstead First Delegate — Spanish Grants — First
General Assembly — Proceedings — Second Assembly — Proceedings — Population
of Territory — Vote of Territory — Rufus Easton — Absent Members — Third
Assembly — Proceedings — Application for Admission . . . 27-31

(V)

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

Application of Missouri to be Admitted into the Union — Agitation of the Slavery
Question — “ Missouri Compromise ” — Constitutional Convention of 1820 — Con¬
stitution Presented to Congress — Further resistance to Admission — Mr. Clay and
his Committee make Report — Second Compromise — Missouri Admitted 31-37

CHAPTER VII.

MISSOURI AS A STATE.

First Election for Governor and other State Officers — Senators and Representatives to
General Assembly — Sheriffs and Coroners — U. S. Senators — Representatives in
Congress — Supreme Court Judges — Counties Organized — Capital Moved to St.
Charles — Official Record of Territorial and State Officers , . . 37-43

CHAPTER VIII.

CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI.

Fort Sumpter Fired Upon — Call for 75,000 Men — Gov. Jackson Refuses to Furnish a
Man — U. S. Arsenal at Liberty, Mo., seized — Proclamation of Gov. Jackson —
General Order No. 7 — Legislature Convenes — Camp Jackson Organized — Sterling
Price Appointed Major-General — Frost’s Letter to Lyon — Lyon’s Letter to Frost —
Surrender of Camp Jackson — Proclamation of Gen. Harney — Conference between
Price and Harney — Harney Superseded by Lyon — Second Conference — Gov.
Jackson Burns the Bridges behind Him — Proclamation of Gov. Jackson — Gen.
Blair Takes Possession of Jefferson City — Proclamation of Lyon — Lyon at
Springfield — State Offices Declared Vacant — Gen. Fremont Assumes Command —
Proclamation of Lieut. -Gov. Reynolds — Proclamation of Jeff. Thompson and Gov.
Jackson — Death of Gen. Lyon — Succeeded by Sturgis — Proclamation of McCul¬
loch and Gamble — Martial Law Declared — Second Proclamation of Jeff. Thomp
son — President Modifies Fremont’s Order — Fremont Relieved by Hunter — Proc¬
lamation of Price — Hunter’s Order of Assessment — Hunter Declares Martial
Law — Order Relating to Newspapers — Halleek Succeeds Hunter — Halleck’s
Order No. 1 8 — Similar Order by Halleek — Boone County Standard Confiscated —
Execution of Prisoners at Macon and Palmyra — Gen. Ewing’s Order No. 11 —
Gen. Rosecrans Takes Command — Massacre at Centralia — Death of Bill Ander¬
son — Gen. Dodge Succeeds Gen. Rosecrans — List of Battles . . 43-53

CHAPTER IX.

EARLY MILITARY RECORD.

Black Hawk War — Mormon Difficulties — Florida War — Mexican War . 53-59

CHAPTER X.

AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH.

Missouri as an Agricultural State — The Different Crops — Live Stock — Horses —
Mules — Milch Cows — Oxen and Other Cattle — Sheep — Hogs — Comparisons —
Missouri Adapted to Live Stock — Cotton — Broom Corn and Other Products —
Fruits — Berries — Grapes — Railroads — First Neigh of the “ Iron Horse ” in Mis¬
souri — Names of Railroads — Manufactures — Great Bridge at St. Loius . 59-65

CONTENTS.

Vll

CHAPTER XI.

EDUCATION.

Public School System — Public School System of Missouri — Lincoln Institute — Offi¬
cers of Public School System — Certificates of Teachers — University of Missouri —
Schools — Colleges — Institutions of Learning — Location — Libraries — News¬
papers and Periodicals — No. of School Children — Amount Expended — Value of
Grounds and Buildings — “ The Press ” . 65-73

CHAPTER XII.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

Baptist Church — Its History — Congregational — When Founded — Its History —
Christian Church — Its History — Cumberland Presbyterian Church — Its History —
Methodist Episcopal Church — Its History — Presbyterian Church — Its History —
Protestant Episcopal Church — Its History — United Presbyterian Church — Its
History — Unitarian Church — Its History — Roman Catholic Church — Its
History . 73-79

CHAPTER XIII.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR CRITTENDEN.

Nomination and Election of Thomas T. Crittenden — Personal Mention — Marmaduke’s
Candidacy — Stirring Events — Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad — Death of Jesse
James — The Fords — Pardon of the Gamblers . 79-85

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MISSOURI.

CHAPTER I.

THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY.

Introductory — First White Settlers — Blanchette Chasseur — Daniel Boone — Ro¬
mance of Bernard Guillet, the French Chief of the Dakotas — List of Pioneer Set¬
tlers — Early German Immigration . 87-108

CHAPTER II.

EXPERIENCES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.

Their Common Interests and Mutual Dependence — First Houses — The Historical
Log Cabin — Household Conveniences and Comforts — Furniture and Bills of
Fare — Characteristics of the Early Settlers — Farm Implements — Inconveniences
of Travel — The First Mills and other Mills and Milling Industries — Trading
Points — Hunting and Trapping — “Coursing” Bees — Recreations and Amuse¬
ments — Early “ Characters ” — Anecdotes and Reminisences . . 108-125

yin

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER III.

EARLY RECORDS.

First Court — Court of Common Pleas for the “District of St. Charles” — District
Officers — First Grand Jury — First Tax Collections — Organization of the
County — Its Early Territorial Limits — First County Court and other Offices —
Pioneer Attorneys — Early Public Buildings . 125-130

CHAPTER IV.

PHYSICAL FEATURES AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY.

Boundaries and Conformation — WaterCourses — Geology — Indigenous Growths —
Agricultural Products — Fruits and Grape Culture — Lands, Improved and Unim¬
proved — Number of Farms and Value of all Farm Products — Live Stock — Taxa¬
ble Wealth — Population — Roads and Railroads — Game, Fish, Etc., Etc. 130-148

CHAPTER V.

WAR RECORD.

Early Indian Troubles. — Outrages During the War of 1812 — Forts Built by the
Settlers — The “Rangers ” Organized — The Expedition to Prairie Du Chien — Capt.
James Callaway — His Company of Rangers — His Expedition to Rock Islan d —
His Subsequent Pursuit of a Band of Indian Raiders in the Vicinity of Loutre
Island — His Ambuscade and Tragic Death — His Burial Place.

The Black Hawk War. — The Primary Cause of the Trouble — Keokuk Made Chief
of the Sacs and Foxes — Two Parties Among the Sacs and Foxes — Black Hawk’s
Removal Across the Mississippi — His Dissatisfaction and Return, and the Out¬
break of the Black Hawk War — His Defeat of Maj. Stillman and Col. Posey —
His Overthrow at the Battle of Bad Ax — Gen. Richard Gentry — His Expedition to
Ft. Pike and Return — Capt. Nathan Boone’s Company of Rangers and Whom They
Were — Present Survivors — Hardships and Privations — Return of the Rangers to
Ft. Gibson and Their Discharge.

The Florida War. — Whom the Volunteers now Remembered Were — The Cause of
the War — Gov. Boggs’ Call for^Volunteers — A Regiment formed, Commanded by
Col. Richard Gentry — Knott’s Volunteers Consolidated with Capt. Jackson’s
Company — Gentry’s Regiment Ordered to New Orleans, thence to Tampa Bay,
Florida — The Battle of Okeechobee and Vanquishment — Col. Gentry Dies on the
Field, Bravely Leading His Men, Just as the Battle is Won — The Return of the
Missourians and the Interment of the Remains of Col. Gentry at St. Louis with
Military Honors — Col. Taylor’s Jealousy and Criticism of the Brave Missourians —
The Missourians Vindicated by an Investigation.

The Slicker Troubles. — Slickers and Anti-Slickers — Origin of the Slickers —
Rise of the Anti-Slickers — Divers Whippings, Murders, Depredations and Crimi¬
nal Trials.

The Mexican War. — Plan of Operations of the Americans — The Missourians un¬
der Col. Doniphan — Capt. McCausland’s Company of Volunteers from this
County and Whom they Were — The Oregon Battalion Organized — Dr. Ludwell E.
Powell of this County Elected Colonel — Threatened Outbreak of the Indians on
the Upper Missouri — The March to Old Ft. Kearney — Expedition against the
Sioux to Ft. Vermillion — New Ft. Kearney Built and Garrisoned — Close of the
Mexican War.

CONTENTS.

The Civil War. — Attributed to the Slavery Agitation — Election of Mr. Lincoln —
The Secession of the Southern States — Ft. Sumpter Fired Upon — Gov. Jackson’s
Call for State Militia and Companies of the State Guard Organized — Under Presi¬
dent Lincoln’s Call Union Volunteers are Enlisted — The Capture of Camp Jack-
son — Condition of Affairs in St. Charles County — Capt. Richard Overall Organ¬
izes an Artillery Company Under Gov. Jackson’s Call — Prompt Organization of
German Companies of Union Home Guards — Anti-Slavery Views of the Germans
and Their Unanimity for the Union Cause — Judge Krekel the Leader of the
Union Element in this County — Twelve Companies of Home Guards Organized —
Judge Krekel Elected Colonel of the Regiment — The United States Reserve Corps
for Home Service Formed of Home Guard Volunteers — This and the Home
Guards, with other Volunteers, Afterwards Merged into a Regiment of Missouri
State Militia and a Regiment of Enrolled Militia — Other Companies of Union
Volunteers Enrolled in the County — Total Number of Union Volunteers from the
County — Dr. Johnson’s Company — A Fight at Mt. Zion, in Boone County — His
Capture — Other Southern Volunteers from the County — The Restoration of
Peace . 148-186

CHAPTER VI.

POLITICAL RECORD.

First Legislators from St. Charles County — Whom They were and Their Prominence
and Influence — Maj. Benjamin Emmons, Col. James Flaugherty, Col. John Pitman
and Judge Robert Spencer — St. Charles County the Home of the First Missouri
Congressman or Territorial Delegate in Congress, Hon. Edward Hempstead — Only
Five Counties Then in the Territory — The Continued Prominence of this County
in the Legislature — Her Members Secure the Location of the Seat of Government
at St. Charles after the Adoption of the State Constitution — Sketch of the Legis¬
lature and State Officers at that Time — National Politics Little Discussed Prior to
the Formation of the State Government — Judge Rufus Easton, of St. Charles,
Succeeds Hon. Edward Hempstead in Congress and Serves two Terms — Hon.
John Scott Then Elected upon the Pledge that He would Secure the Admission of
Missouri into the Union— His Zeal and Success — Rise of the Missouri Question,
or the Opposition to the Extension of Slavery — The “ Missouri Compromise,” and
the Admission of the State into the Union — Attitude of the People of St. Charles
County on the Slavery Question — The Grand Jury Make a Formal Presentment
Against the Congress of the United States — Copy of the Presentment — Constitu¬
tional Convention of 1820 — Members From St. Charles County — Political Issues
Between the Democrats and Whigs after the Temporary Settlement of the Slavery
Question — The County Largely Democratic — Democratic Sentiment of German
Immigrants — Early Public Men of the County After the Organization of the State
Government — Public Men of a Later Period, and Until the Outbreak of the Civil
War — Col. Ludwell E. Powell, Hon. John D. Coalter, Maj. Wilson L. Overall and
Hon. William M. Allen, Whigs — Judge Carty Wells, Hon. James R. McDearmon,
Dr. William G. McElhiney, Joseph Wells, Col. Pines Shelton and Judge Arnold
Krekel, Democrats — Suspension of Politics During the Civil War — Abandonment
of the Democratic Party by the Germans — Growth of the Republican Party —
Former Whigs Generally Become Democrats — Political Attitude of the County
Since the War — Leading Democrats — Leading Republicans — Register of Pub¬
lic Officers Since the Formation of the State Government — Bonded Indebted¬
ness . 186-205

Bench and Bar

CHAPTER VII.

205-214

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VIII.

NEWSPAPERS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, RAILROADS, Etc.

History of Printing and First Newspapers — The Missourian , First Paper in Missouri,
outside of St. Louis, West of the Mississippi — When Established and by Whom —
Its Success — Suspended and Never Revived — Succeeded by the Clarion — Cosmos,
Oldest Paper in St. Charles County — Descended from the Clarion , which was fol¬
lowed by Free Press, Advertiser, etc. — Purchase of Cosmos by W. W. Davenport —
Other Proprietors of Paper — Destroyed by Fire — Continued Publication by Stock
Company — Dr. Davis, Editor — Size of Paper — Politics — St. Charles News —
When Established — Removal from Wentzville to St. Charles — Sold to F. C. King,
and in 1874 to Stock Company — Passes into Hands of P. A. Farley — Succeeded by
James C. Holmes — Characteristics and Politics — St. Charles Demokrat — German
Weekly — Started in 1852 — First Issue — Whom Supported — Hon. Arnold Krekel
Editor until 1864 — Various Changes Through which it has Passed — J. H. Bode,
Present Proprietor — Katholicher Hausfreund — Public Schools in County — Rail¬
roads — California Emigrants . 214-230

CHAPTER IX.

HISTORY OF FEMME OSAGE TOWNSHIP.

First Settlers — Augusta — Location — Femme Osage Post office — Pleasant Hill M. E.
Church South — Biographical . 230-261

CHAPTER X.

PORTAGE DES SIOUX TOWNSHIP.

Area — Portage Des Sioux — Early Settlers — Point Prairie Presbyterian Church —
St. Francis Church — Biographical . 261-282

CHAPTER XI.

CALLAWAY TOWNSHIP.

Its Location and Boundaries — Principally Timbered Land — Blue Grass Yield and
Corn Crops — Stock Raising — Population — Water Facilities — Large Creeks and
Tributaries — Abundance of Spring Water — Fine quality of Timber, and the Lum¬
ber Industry — Callaway, the Second Township Settled in the County — Advantages
that Attracted Pioneer Immigration — Whom the Pioneers were — The Callaway
Family — The Howells — Joseph Baugh — Henry Abington — The Edwards — Ogles¬
by Young — Other Pioneers — C. F. Woodson, the Oldest Living Resident of the
Township — The Character of the People of the Township — Their Schools, Churches,
Etc. — Biographical . 282-298

CHAPTER XII.

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.

Location and Area — Physical Features — Early Settlers — City of St. Charles — Post
Established — Village Incorporated — Board of Trustees Organized and the Village
Constituted a City — Advancement — Newspapers — Schools — Francis Duquette —
Bridge — Car Factory — Woolen Mills — Gas Company — Pork Houses — Union
Fire Company — Tobacco — Foundry — Flouring Mills — Secret Orders — A. F. and
A. M. — I. O. 0. F. — A. O. U. W. — K. of H. — Order of Chosen Friends — Official
Record of the City from 1849 to 1884 ... . . 298-448

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIII.

HISTORY OF DARDENNE TOWNSHIP.

Area — Early Settlers — Autobiography of Mr. Howell — O’Fallon — St. Peters —
Mechanicsville — Hamburg — W eldon Springs — Cottleville — Gilmore — Peruque
Fort — Churches — Biographical . . 448-493

CHAPTER XI Y.

4 / V

HISTORY OF CUIYRE TOWNSHIP.

Old Settlers — Wentzville — For Whom Named — Location, Etc. — Foristell — When
Laid Out, and by Whom — Churches in Township — Biographical . 493-530

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY MISSOURI.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND EARLY HISTORY.

General Description — Topography — Soil — Streams — Agriculture — Horticulture —
Tobacco — Economic Geology — Dr. Maughs on the Mineral Resources in 1837 —
Railroads — Early History — The First Europeans — Advent of the French — The
Mysterious Stone House on the Loutre — The First Americans — Under American
Domination — Settlements and Settlers on Loutre Island . . . 531-538

CHAPTER II.

DURING THE INDIAN WARS.

First Troubles with the Indians — The Ill-fated Expedition of Five Loutre Islanders
in Pursuit of Indian Horse-thieves — The War of 1812 — Indian Treaties, Plans
and Purposes — A General Uprising of the Savages — Harris Massey, the First
Victim of the War in Montgomery County — Killing of Daniel Dougherty — Ad¬
venture of Jacob Groom and Jackey Stewart at Big Spring — Capt. Callaway’s
Defeat — Sketch of the Brave Ranger and His Company — His Encounter with the

Indians, and His Death and Burial — Dr. M. M. Maughs’ Account — Other Events
of the War . 538-551

CHAPTER III.

FROM THE CLOSE OF THE INDIAN WARS TO 1820.

Close of the War of 1812 — Treaty with the Indians — List of the Principal Settlers
of the County before 1820, wich their Locations, etc. — Old Lewis Jones — Early
Aristrocrats — Quashquama, the Friend of the Whites — First Steamboats up the
Missouri, the Independence and the Western Engineer — Organization — Pinck¬
ney, the First County Seat — First County Officials — The Weather in Early
Days . 551-562

Xll

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.

INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Character of the First Settlers — The First Settlements — Objections to Prairies — Dr.
Beck on Prairies — First Mills — Game and Wild Animals: Elk, Deer, Bears,
Wolves, Panthers, etc. — Sundry Adventures of Certain Pioneers with the “Var¬
mints” of Early Days — Crops and Crop Raising — Cotton, Flax and Nettles —
Dress of the Pioneers — The Settlers’ Bills of Fare — Pioneer Weddings — House¬
keeping Incidents — Pioneer Preachers, etc . 562-572

CHAPTER V.

LEADING INCIDENTS FROM 1820 TO 1830.

Montgomery County after the Admission of Missouri into the Union — Establishment
of the Boone’s Lick Road and Stage Line — First Fourth of July Celebration — Dr.
Beck on Some of the Features of the County in 1822 — Poor Markets — Removal of
the County Seat to Danville — First Murder in the County and First Legal Execu¬
tion — John Tanner Killed by His Negro Man “ Moses” — Hanging of “ Moses” —
Miscellaneous . 572-580

CHAPTER VI.

GENERAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY FROM 1830 TO 1861.

Murder of William Kent by Waller Graves — During the Black Hawk Wy — Visit of
Washington. Irving — “ The Falling of the Stars” — Organization of Warren
County — Removal of the County Seat — The St. Louis Railroad Convention —
Montgomery County in 1837 — Early National Elections — The Florida and Mormon
Wars — The Political Canvass of 1840 — “ Hard Times ” — Murder of John Pear¬
son by his Son-in-Law, John Freeman — Hanging of Freeman — The “Jackson
Resolutions” — Miscellaneous Events from 1844 to 1852 — Murder of Caroline
Scholten by John Huting — Execution of Huting — The Native Americans —
Miscellaneous — Census of 1860 — The Presidential Campaign of 1860 — After the
Presidental Election — The Legislature of 1860-61 .... 580-603

CHAPTER VII.

LEADING EVENTS OF 1861.

Election of Delegates to the State Convention — The Work of the Convention — The
Winter of 1861 — After Fort Sumpter — The First Federal Troops — First Bloodshed
in the County — Atrocious Murder ofMaj.Benj. Sharp and Lieut. A. Yager, by Alvin
Cobb’s Men — A Skirmish — Retaliation — Murder of Terrill, Nunnelly^and Bishop by
the Federals — Military Operations — Troops for Gen. Price’s Army — Miscellan¬
eous War Items During the Year 1861 — Murder of McGlatchey, a Union Man, near
Bluffton — The Raids on the Railroads — A Montgomery County Company for
Price’s Army — Mount Zion Fight — Invasion and Occupation of the County by
Federal Troops . 603-613

CHAPTER VIII.

EVENTS OF THE YEARS 1863 AND 1864.

CONTENTS.

Xlll

Eaid on Rhineland — November Election, 1863 — Troops in the Federal Service —
1864 — Miscellaneous — Killing of Col. Brewer and His Son and of Fridley and His
Son by the Federals — Two More Companies for the Union Army — During the In¬
vasion of Gen. Price . 633-644

CHAPTER IX.

THE CONFEDERATE GUERRILLA RAIDS OF 1864.

The Second Raid on Rhineland — Hancock’s Band Descends on the Place — Brutal
Murder ©f Henry Bresser — Miles Price’s Raid on High Hill and Jonesburg — Bill
Anderson’s Raid — He Attacks and Burns Danville — Murders Five Citizens — Plun¬
ders the Stores and Destroys the Public Records — Goes to New Florence — Robs
the Stores and Burns the Depot — On to High Hill — Repeats the Performances at
New Florence — Turns Back — Is Followed by the Enrolled Militia and Routed —
Killing of Five Innocent Citizens of the County by the Militia — Full and Authentic
Particulars Never Before Published . 644-656

CHAPTER X.

LEADING EVENTS FROM 1865 TO 1870.

Enrolling in the Militia — “Richmond has Fallen” — The War Over — A Robber
Raid. — Al. Gentry’s Expedition into Callaway and Fight with, and Defeat by Bush¬
whackers — Encounter with Barker’s Bushwhackers at Sayer’s Mill — Killing of
Sergt. Bunch — Adoption of the “Drake” Constitution — Help for the Suffering
South — >The Political Campaign of 1866-67 — Fatal Affrays — Building the Present
Court House — 1868 — The Political Campaign — Presidential Election, 1868 656-667

CHAPTER XI.

MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS FROM 1870 TO 1884.

The Political Canvass of 1870 — Robbery of Steck’s Store on Loutre Island — Organi¬
zation of Municipal Townships — Killing of Patrick Cain by James J. Douglass —
Census of 1880 Compared with 1870 — Robbery in Loutre Township by the Day
Gang — The Trouble with the “ King Boys,” near Americus, in Loutre Township —
Murder of Mrs. Austin — Death of George Baughman, “ The Montgomery Couny
Hermit ” — Principal Elections from and Including 1872 to 1884. . 667-579

CHAPTER XII.

PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — Early Settlement — Murder of Turner Gooch — During
the Civil War — First Troops, Union and Confederate — Country Churches —
Middletown — Location, etc. — Early History — Miscellaneous — Killing of Wm.
Dillon — Incorporation — Newspapers — Churches — Secret Orders m Biographi¬
cal . 679-711

CHAPTER XIII.

BEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — Early Settlers and Settlements — The Lynching of Wm.
Looker — A Tragedy of the Civil War — Murder of Wm. Finney — Fatal Railroad
Accident — Country Churches — High Hill — Early History — Anderson’s Raid —
After the War — Tragedies — Killing of Thomas Miller and Joel Jones — Church —
Jonesburg — Early History — Founding of the Town — The Civil War — Shooting

XIV

CONTENTS .

of Edward McCullom by Thos. Hess — Since 1865 — Newspapers, Churches, etc. —
Price’s Branch — Biographical . 711-751

CHAPTER XIV.

LOUTRE TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — The Bluffs and Streams — “Pinnacle Rock” — Early
Settlements and Pioneers — The Settlements on Loutre Island — Fort Clemson —
Snethen’s Settlement on Dry Fork — The “ Big Spring ” Settlement — Early His¬
torical Items — Villages of Loutre Township — Rhineland — Americus — Bluffton —
Big Spring — Country Churches — Biographical . 751-762

CHAPTER XV.

DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — Geology and Archaeology — Early History — Pioneer Set¬
tlers and Settlements — Thos. Massey, Robt. Graham, Maj. Van Bibber, Daniel
M. Boone and Others — Items of Early History — Country Churches — Danville —
Founding of the Town — First Inhabitants — Miscellaneous History — Incorpora¬
tion — M. E. Church South — Masonic Lodge — New Florence — Origin and Early
History — Miscellaneous Mention — The Cyclone of 1867 — Items — Newspapers —
Creamery — Churches and Sunday-schools — Secret Orders — Mineola — Early
History — Maj. Van Bibber’s Settlement — Sketch of the Old Major — Sketch of
Mineola Proper — Biographical . . . 762-814

CHAPTER XVI.

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — Early History — County Churches — Montgomery City —
Early History — Benj. B. Curd — Laying Out the Town — How the Location of the
Railroad was Secured — Names of the First Citizens — First Stores, etc. — General
Historical Sketch — Tragedies — Killing of Bob Harris — Mobbing of George
Richards — Killing of “Pack” Slavens — Leading Institutions — Steam Mills —
Tobacco Factory — Tow Mills — Newspapers — Fair Association — Churches —
Public School — Secret Orders — Biographical . 814-906

CHAPTER XVII.

UPPER LOUTRE TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — Early History — Wellsville — In War Times — After the
War — Incorporation — Public Schools — Newspapers — Churches — Secret Orders
— Biographical . . 906-953

CONTENTS.

HISTOEY OF WAEEEN COUYTY, MISSOUEI.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction — The Organization of Warren County — Original French Settlers — Ar¬
rival of Daniel Boone — Kennedy’s Fort — The Massacre of the Ramsey Family —
Death of Capt. Callaway — The Boone’s Lick Road — Geological and Physical Feat¬
ures . 955-965

CHAPTER II.

PIONEER LIFE AND EARLY COURTS.

First Session of the County and Circuit Courts — The Proceedings — Temporary Seat
1 of Justice — Tilman Cullom — The First Sheriff — A Cowhide Fight . 965-973

CHAPTER III.

Daniel Boone — His Early History in this County, Etc. — Death and Burial
Place . 973-982

CHAPTER IY.

BENCH AND BAR.

The Warren County Bar in the Past — Hon. Ezra Hunt — Judge Carty Wells — Col.
Frederick Morsey — Hon. L. J. Dryden — Hon. Chas. E. Peers — W. L. Morsey —
Peter P. Stewart . 982-988

CHAPTER Y.

WAR HISTORY,

Introduction — Second War with Great Britain — Names of Veterans — Indian Out¬
break of 1832 — The Mexican War — War of the Rebellion — Burning of Red Hill
Bridge — The Wright City Raid — Confederate Attack on a Railway Train — The
Skirmish at Briscoe’s Farm — Names of the Veterans of both Armies . 988-997

CHAPTER VI.

CRIMINAL RECORD.

The Foster Case — Killing of a Negro by Wm. Foster — Trial and Conviction of Fos¬
ter — Decision Reversed — Second Trial and Sentence of Death — Execution —
The Taylor Murder — Daniel Price, the Murderer — His Death on the Gallows —
Murder of John Hartgen — Shooting of Col. Meyer — Murder of Mrs. Calli
han . . . 997-1005

CHAPTER VII.

POLITICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

Introduction — Early Political Customs — Chronicles of the Campaign of 1866 — How

XVI

CONTENTS.

“ Joe ” Fount Collected his Mileage — Presidential Election of 1866 — Official Di¬
rectory — Ecclesiastical Introduction — The Old Log Church* near Hopewell —
Pioneer Religious Customs — The Churches of the County . . 1005-1014

CHAPTER VTII.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Cyclone of May, 1883 — Agricultural Societies — Warren County Press — Educa¬
tional — County Indebtedness — Census Statistics of 1880 — Banks and other Incor¬
porations — California Gold Excitement — Warren’s County Seat — First Deed —
Historial Facts, etc. — Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad . 1014-1029

CHAPTER IX.

HISTORY OF CHARRETTE TOWNSHIP.

Early History — First Settlement by the French. — Physical Features — Nashville —
Other Towns — Early Settlers. — Biographical . 1029-1059

CHAPTER X.

HISTORY OF PINCKNEY AND BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIPS.

Organization of Pinckney Township — Early Settlers — Biographical — Bridgeport
Township — Physical Features — Boundary — Streams — First Settlers — Bio¬
graphical . . 1059-1065

CHAPTER XI.

HISTORY OF ELKHORN TOWNSHIP.

Establishment — Boundary — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Warrenton — Loca¬
tion of County Seat — Situation — Coal — Central Wesleyan College — Orphan
Asylum — Removal of the Depot — Truesdale — Pendleton . . 1065-1120

CHAPTER XII.

HISTORY OF HICKORY GROVE AND CAMP BRANCH TOWNSHIPS.

Hickory Grove Township Organized — Wright City — Pitts Post-office — Biograph¬
ical — Camp Branch Township . 1120-1131

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

CHAPTER I.

LOUISIANA PURCHASE.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH.

The purchase in 1803 of the vast territory west of the Mississippi
Uiver, by the United States, extending through Oregon to the Pacific
coast and south to the Dominions of Mexico, constitutes the most im¬
portant event that ever occurred in the history of the nation.

It gave to our Republic additional room for that expansion and
stupendous growth, to which it has since attained, in all that makes it
strong and enduring, and forms the seat of an empire, from which
will radiate an influence for good unequaled in the annals of time. In
1763, the immense region of country, known at that time as Louisiana,
was ceded to Spain by France. By a secret article, in the treaty of
St. Ildefonso, concluded in 1800, Spain ceded it back to France.
Napoleon, at that time, coveted the island of St. Domingo, not only
because of the value of its products, but more especially because its
location in the Gulf of Mexico would, in a military point of view,
afford him a fine field whence he could the more effectively guard his
newly-acquired possessions. Hence he desired this cession by Spain
should be kept a profound secret until he succeeded in reducing St.
Domingo to submission. In this undertaking, however, his hopes
were blasted, and so great was his disappointment that he apparently
became indifferent to the advantages to be secured to France from his
purchase of Louisiana.

In 1803 he sent out Laussat as prefect of the colony, who gave the

(i)

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

people of Louisiana the first intimation they had that they had once
more become the subjects of France. This was the occasion of great
rejoicing among the inhabitants, who were Frenchmen in their origin,

. habits, manners, and customs.

Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States, on being in¬
formed of the retrocession, immediately dispatched instructions to
Robert Livingston, the American Minister at Paris, to make known
to Napoleon that the occupancy of New Orleans, by his government,
would not only endanger the friendly relations existing between the
two nations, but, perhaps, oblige the United States to make common
cause with England, his bitterest and most dreaded enemy ; as the
possession of the city by France would give her command of the
Mississippi, which was the only outlet for the produce of the West¬
ern States, and give her also control or the Gulf of Mexico, so neces¬
sary to the protection of American commerce. Mr. Jefferson was so
fully impressed with the idea that the occupancy of New Orleans, by
France, would bring about a conflict of interests between the two
nations, which would finally culminate in an open rupture, that he
urged Mr. Livingston, to not only insist upon the free navigation of
the Mississippi, but to negotiate for the purchase of the city and the
surrounding country.

The question of this negotiation was of so grave a character to the
United States that the President appointed Mr. Monroe, with full
power to act in conjunction with Mr. Livingston. Ever equal to all
emergencies, and prompt in the cabinet, as well as in the field, Na¬
poleon came to the conclusion that, as he could not well defend his
occupancy of New Orleans, he would dispose of it, on the best terms
possible. Before, however, taking final action in the matter, he sum¬
moned two of his Ministers, and addressed them follows: —

** I am fully sensible of the value of Louisiana, and it was my wish
to repair the error of the French diplomatists who abandoned it in
1763. I have scarcely recovered it before I run the risk of losing: it:
but if I am obliged to give it up, it shall hereafter cost more to those
who force me to part with it, than to those to whom I shall
yield it. The English have despoiled France of all her northern pos¬
sessions in America, and now they covet those of the South. I am
determined that they shall not have the Mississippi. Although
Louisiana is but a trifle compared to their vast possessions in other
parts of the globe, yet, judging from the vexation they have mani¬
fested on seeing it return to the power of France, I am certain that

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

their first object will be to gain possession of it. They will proba¬
bly commence the war in that quarter. They have twenty vessels in
the Gulf of Mexico, and our affairs in St. Domingo are daily getting
worse since the death of LeClerc. The conquest of Louisiana might
be easily made, and I have not a moment to lose in getting out of
their reach. I am not sure but that they have already begun an at¬
tack upon it. Such a measure would be in accordance with their
habits ; and in their place I should not wait. I am inclined, in order
to deprive them of all prospect of ever possessing it, to cede it to the
United States. Indeed, I can hardly say that I cede it, for I do not
yet possess it ; and if I wait but a short time my enemies may leave
me nothing but an empty title to grant to the Republic I wish to con¬
ciliate. I consider the whole colony as lost, and I believe that in the
hands of this rising power it will be more useful to the political and
even commercial interests of France than if I should attempt to retain
it. Let me have both your opinions on the subject. ”

One of his Ministers approved of the contemplated cession, but
the other opposed it. The matter was long and earnestly discussed
by them, before the conference was ended. The next day, Napoleon
sent for the Minister who had agreed with him, and said to him : —

“ The season for deliberation is over. I have determined to re¬
nounce Louisiana. I shall give up not only New Orleans, but the
whole colony, without reservation. That I do not undervalue Louis¬
iana, I have sufficiently proved, as the object of my first treaty with
Spain was to recover it. But though I regret parting with it, I am
convinced it would be folly to persist in trying to keep it. I commis¬
sion you, therefore, to negotiate this affair with the envoys of the
United States. Do not wait the arrival of Mr. Monroe, but go this
very day and confer with Mr. Livingston. Remember, however, that
I need ample funds for carrying on the war, and I do not wish to com¬
mence it by levying new taxes. For the last century France and Spain
have incurred great expense in the improvement of Louisiana, for
which her trade has never indemnified them. Large sums have been
advanced to different companies, which have never been returned to
the treasury. It is fair that I should require repayment for these.
Were I to regulate my demands by the importance of this territory
to the United States, they would be unbounded ; but, being obliged to
part with it, I shall be moderate in my terms. Still, remember, I
must have fifty millions of francs, and I will not consent to take less.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

I would rather make some desperate effort to preserve this fine
country.* *

That day the negotiations commenced. Mr. Monroe reached Paris
on the 12th of April, 1803, and the two representatives of the United
States, after holding a private interview, announced that they were
ready to treat for the entire territory. On the 30th of April, the
treaty was signed, and on the 21st of October, of the same year, Con¬
gress ratified the treaty. The United States were to pay $11,250,000,
and her citizens were to be compensated for some illegal captures,
to the amount of $3,750,000, making in the aggregate the sum of
$15,000,000, while it was agreed that the vessels and merchandise of
France and Spain should be admitted into all the ports ot Louisiana
free of duty for twelve years. Bonaparte stipulated in favor of
Louisiana, that it should be, as soon as possible, incorporated into
the Union, and that its inhabitants should enjoy the same rights,
privileges and immunities as other citizens of the United States, and
the clause giving to them these benefits was drawn up by Bonaparte,
who presented it to the plenipotentiaries with these words : —

“ Make it known to the people of Louisiana, that we regret to part
with them ; that we have stipulated for all the advantages they could
desire ; and that France, in giving them up, has insured to them the
greatest of all. They could never have prospered under any Euro¬
pean government as they will when they become independent. But
while they enjoy the privileges of liberty let t'hem remember that they

are French, and preserve for their mother country that affection which
a common origin inspires.* *

Complete satisfaction was given to both parties in the terms of the
treaty. Mr. Livingston said : —

“ I consider that from this day the United States takes rank with
the first powers of Europe, and now she has entirely escaped from the
power of England,” and Bonaparte expressed a similar sentiment when
he said : “ By this cession of territory I have secured the power of the
United States, and given to England a maritime rival, who, at some
future time, will humble her pride.’*

These were prophetic words, for within a few years afterward the
British met with a signal defeat, on the plains of the very territory of
which the great Corsican had been speaking.

From 1800, the date of the cession made by Spain, to 1803, when
it was purchased by the United States, no change had been made by

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

the French authorities in the jurisprudence of the Upper and Lower
Louisiana, and during this period the Spanish laws remained in full
force, as the laws of the entire province ; a fact which is of interest to
those who would understand the legal history and some of the present
laws of Missouri.

On December 20th, 1803, Gens. Wilkinson and Claiborne, who
were jointly commissioned to take possession of the territory for the
United States, arrived in the city of New Orleans at the head of the
American forces. Laussat, who had taken possession but twenty days
previously as the prefect of the colony, gave up his command, and the
star-spangled banner supplanted the tri-colored flag of France. The
agent of France, to take possession of Upper Louisiana from the
Spanish authorities, was Amos Stoddard, captain of artillery in the
United States service. He was placed in possession of St. Louis on
the 9th of March, 1804, by Charles Dehault Delassus, the Spanish
commandant, and on the following day he transferred it to the United
States. The authority of the United States in Missouri dates from
this day.

From that moment the interests of the people of the Mississippi
Valley became identified. They were troubled no more with uncer¬
tainties in regard to free navigation. The great river, along whose
banks they had planted their towns and villages, now afforded them
a safe and easy outlet to the markets of the world. Under the pro¬
tecting aegis of a government, republican in form, and having free
access to an almost boundless domain, embracing in its broad area the
diversified climates of the globe, and possessing a soil unsurpassed for
fertility, beauty of scenery and wealth of minerals, they had every
incentive to push on their enterprises and build up the land wherein
their lot had been cast.

In the purchase of Louisiana, it was known that a great empire had
been secured as a heritage to the people of our country, for all time to
come, but its grandeur, its possibilities, its inexhaustible resources
and the important relations it would sustain to the nation and the
world were never dreamed of by even Mr. Jefferson and his adroit and
accomplished diplomatists.

The most ardent imagination never conceived of the progress which
would mark the history of the “ Great West. ” The adventurous
pioneer, who fifty years ago pitched his tent upon its broad prairies,
or threaded the dark labyrinths of its lonely forests, little thought, that
a mighty tide of physical and intellectual strength, would so rapidly

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

flow on in his footsteps, to populate, build up and enrich the domain
which he had conquered.

Year after year, civilization has advanced further and further, until
at length the mountains, the hills and the valleys, and even the rocks
and the caverns, resound with the noise and din of busy millions.

** I beheld the westward inarches
Of the unknown crowded nations.

All the land was full of people,

Restless, struggling, toiling, striving,
Speaking many tongues, yet feeling
But one heart-beat in their bosoms.

In the woodlands rang their axes ;
Smoked their towns in all the valleys;
Over all the lakes and rivers
Rushed their great canoes of thunder.”

In 1804, Congress, by an act passed in April of the same year,
divided Louisiana into two parts, the “ Territory of Orleans,” and
the “ District of Louisiana,” known as “Upper Louisiana.” This
district included all that portion of the old province, north of “ Hope
Encampment,” on the Lower Mississippi, and embraced the present
State of Missouri, and all the western region of country to the Pacific
Ocean, and all below the forty-ninth degree of north latitude not
claimed by Spain.

As a matter of convenience, on March 26th, 1804, Missouri was
placed within the jurisdiction of the government of the Territory of
Indiana, and its government put in motion by Gen. William H. Har¬
rison, then governor of Indiana. In this he was assisted by Judges
Griffin, Vanderburg and Davis, who established in St. Louis what were
called Courts of Common Pleas. The District of Louisiana was re<m-
larly organized into the Territory of Louisiana by Congress, March 3,
3 805, and President Jefferson appointed Gen. James Wilkinson, Gov¬
ernor, and Frederick Bates, Secretary. The Legislature of the ter¬
ritory was formed by Governor Wilkinson and Judges R. J. Meigs
and John B. C. Lucas. In 1807, Governor Wilkinson was succeeded
by Captain Meriwether Lewis, who had become famous by reason of
his having made the expedition up the Missouri with Clark. Governor
Lewis committed suicide in 1809 and President Madison appointed
Gen. Benjamin Howard of Lexington, Kentucky, to fill his place.
Gen. Howard resigned October 25, 1810, to enter the war of 1812,
and died in St. Louis, in 1814. Captain William Clark, of Lewis and
Clark’s expedition, was appointed Governor in 1810, to succeed Gen.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

Howard, and remained in office until the admission of the State into
the Union, in 1821.

The portions of Missouri which were settled, for the purposes of
local government were divided into four districts. Cape Girardeau
was the first, and embraced the territory between Tywappity Bottom
and Apple Creek. Ste. Genevieve, the second, embraced the terri¬
tory from Apple Creek to the Meramec River. St. Louis, the third,
embraced the territory between the Meramec and Missouri Rivers.
St. Charles, the fourth, included the settled territory, between the
Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The total population of these dis¬
tricts at that time, was 8,670, including slaves. The population of
the district of Louisiana, when ceded to the United States was 10,120.

CHAPTEE II.

DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL.

Name — Extent — Surface — Rivers — Timber — Climate — Prairies — Soils — Popula¬
tion by Counties.

NAME.

The name Missouri is derived from the Indian tongue and signifies
muddy.

EXTENT.

Missouri is bounded on the north by Iowa (from which it is sep¬
arated for about thirty miles on the northeast, by the Des Moines
River), and on the east by the Mississippi River, which divides it from
Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, and on the west by the Indian Ter¬
ritory, and the States of Kansas and Nebraska. The State lies (with
the exception of a small projection between the St. Francis and the
Mississippi Rivers, which extends to 36°), between 36° 30' and 40° 36'
north latitude, and between 12° 2' and 18° 51' west longitude from
Washington.

The extreme width of the State east and west, is about 348 miles ;
its width on its northern boundary, measured from its northeast cor¬
ner along the Iowa line, to its intersection with the Des Moines

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

River, is about 210 miles ; its width on its southern boundary is about
288 miles. Its average width is about 235 miles.

The length of the State north and south, not including the narrow strip
between the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers, is about 282 miles. It
is about 450 miles from its extreme northwest corner to its southeast
corner, and from the northeast corner to the southwest corner, it is
about 230 miles. These limits embrace an area of 65,350 square
miles, or 41,824,000 acres, being nearly as large as England, and the
States of Vermont and New Hampshire.

surface.

North of the Missouri, the State is level or undulating, while the
portion south of that river (the larger portion of the State) exhibits a
greater variety of surface. In the southeastern part is an extensive
marsh, reaching beyond the State into Arkansas. The remainder of
this portion between the Mississippi and Osage Rivers is rolling, and
gradually rising into a hilly and mountainous district, forming the out¬
skirts of the Ozark Mountains.

Beyond the Osage River, at some distance, commences a vast ex¬
panse of prairie land which stretches away towards the Rocky Moun¬
tains. The ridges forming the Ozark chain extend in a northeast and
southwest direction, separating the waters that flow northeast into the
Missouri from those that flow southeast into the Mississippi River.

rivers.

No State in the Union enjoys better facilities for navigation than
Missouri. By means of the Mississippi River, which stretches along
her entire eastern boundary, she can hold commercial intercourse with
the most northern territory and State in the Union; with the whole
valley of the Ohio ; with many of the Atlantic States, and with the
Gulf of Mexico.

“Ay, gather Europe’s royal rivers all —

The snow-swelled Neva, with an Empire’s weight
On her broad breast, she yet may overwhelm;

Dark Danube, hurrying, as by foe pursued,

Through shaggy forests and by palace walls,

To hide its terror in a sea of gloom ;

The castled Rhine, whose vine-crowned waters flow,

The fount of fable and the source of song;

The rushing Rhone, in whose cerulean depths
The loving sky seems wedded with the wave;

The yellow Tiber, chok’d with Roman spoils.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

A dying miser shrinking ’neath his gold;

The Seine, where fashion glasses the fairest forms;

The Thames that bears the riches of the world ;

Gather their waters in one ocean mass,

Our Mississippi rolling proudly on,

Would sweep them from its path, or swallow up,

Like Aaron’s rod, these streams of fame and song.’*

By the Missouri River she can extend her commerce to the Rocky
Mountains, and receive in return the products which will come in the
course of time, by its multitude of tributaries.

The Missouri River coasts the northwest line of the State for about
250 miles, following its windings, and then flows through the State, a
little south of east, to its junction with the Mississippi. The Mis¬
souri River receives a number of tributaries within the limits of the
State, the principal of which are the Nodaway, Platte, Grand and
Chariton from the north, and the Blue, Sniabar, Lamine, Osage and
Gasconade from the south. The principal tributaries of the Missis¬
sippi within the State, are the Salt River, north, and the Meramec
River south of the Missouri.

The St. Francis and White Rivers, with their branches, drain
the southeastern part of the State, and pass into Arkansas. The
Osage is navigable for steamboats for more than 175 miles. There

o o

are a vast number of smaller streams, such as creeks, branches and
rivers, which water the State in all directions.

Timber. — Not more towering in their sublimity were the cedars of1
ancient Lebanon, nor more precious in their utility were the almug-
trees of Ophir, than the native forests of Missouri. The river bottoms
are covered with a luxuriant growth of oak, ash, elm, hickory, cotton¬
wood, linn, white and black walnut, and in fact, all the varieties found
in the Atlantic and Eastern States. In the more barren districts may
be seen the white and pin oak, and in many places a dense growth of
pine. The crab apple, papaw and persimmon are abundant, as also
the hazel and pecan.

Climate. — The climate of Missouri is, in general, pleasant and
salubrious. Like that of North America, it is changeable, and sub¬
ject to sudden and sometimes extreme changes of heat and cold ; but
it is decidedly milder, taking the whole year through, than that of the
same latitudes east of the mountains. While the summers are not
more oppressive than they are in the corresponding latitudes on and
near the Atlantic coast, the winters are shorter, and very much milder,

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

except during the month of February, which has many days of pleas¬
ant sunshine.

Prairies. — Missouri is a prairie State, especially that portion of it
north and northwest of the Missouri River. These prairies, along the
water courses, abound with the thickest and most luxurious belts of
timber, while the “rolling” prairies occupy the higher portions of
the country, the descent generally to the forests or bottom lands being
over only declivities. Many of these prairies, however, exhibit a grace¬
fully waving surface, swelling and sinking with an easy slope, and a
full, rounded outline, equally avoiding the unmeaning horizontal sur¬
face and the interruption of abrupt or angular elevations.

These prairies often embrace extensive tracts of land, and in one or
two instances they cover an area of fifty thousand acres. During the
spring and summer they are carpeted with a velvet of green, and
gaily bedecked with flowers of various forms and hues, making a
most fascinating panorama of ever-changing color and loveliness. To
fully appreciate their great beauty and magnitude, they must be
seen.

Soil. — The soil of Missouri is good, and of great agricultural capa¬
bilities, but the most fertile portions of the State are the river bot¬
toms, which are a rich alluvium, mixed in many cases with sand, the
producing qualities of which are not excelled by the prolific valley of
the famous Nile.

South of the Missouri River there is a greater variety of soil, but
much of it is fertile, and even in the mountains and mineral districts
there are rich valleys, and about the sources of the White, Eleven
Points, Current and Big Black Rivers, the soil, though unproductive,
furnishes a valuable growth of yellow pine.

The marshy lands in the southeastern part of the State will, by a
system of drainage, be one of the most fertile districts in the State.

HISTOEY OF MISSOURI

POPULATION BY COUNTIES IN 1870, 1876, AND 1880.

Counties

•

1870.

1876.

1880.

Adair .

11,449

13,774

15,190

Andrew

15,137

14,992

16,318

Atchison .

8,440

10,925

14,565

Audrain

12,307

15,157

19,739

Barry .

10,373

11,146

14,424

Barton

6,087

6,900

10,332

Bates .

15,960

17,484

25,382

Benton

11,322

11,027

12,398

Bollinger .

8,162

8,884

11,132

Boone

20,765

31,923

25,424

Buchanan .

35,109

38,165

49,824

Butler

4,298

4,363

6,011

Caldwell

11,390

12,200

13,654

Callaway .

19,202

25,257

23,670

Camden

6,108

7,027

7,269

Cape Girardeau

17,558

17,891

20,998

Carroll

17,440

21,498

23,300

Carter

1,440

1,549

2,168

Cass .

19,299

18,069

22,431

Cedar .

9,471

9,897

10,747

Chariton

19,136

23,294

25,224

Christian .

6,707

7,936

9,632

Clark .

13,667

14,549

15,631

Clay .

15,564

15,320

15,579

Clinton

14,063

13,698

16,073

Cole .

10,292

14,122

15,519

Cooper

20,692

21,356

21,622

Crawford .

7,982

9,391

10,763

Dade .

8,683

11,089

12,557

Dallas

8,383

8,073

9,272

Daviess

14,410

16,557

19,174

DeKalb

j •

9,858

11,159

13,343

Dent .

6,357

7,401

10,647

Douglas .

3,915

6,461

7,753

Dunklin

5,982

6,255

9,604

Pranklin

30,098

26,924

26,536

Gasconade .

10,093

11,160

11,153

Gentry

11,607

12,673

17,188

Greene

21,549

24,693

28,817

Grundy

10,567

13,071

15,201

Harrison .

•

14,635

18,530

20,318

Henry

17,401

18,465

23,914

Hickory

6,452

5,870

7,388

Holt .

11,652

13,245

15,510

Howard

17,233

17,815

18,428

Howell

4,218

6,756

8,814

Iron .

6,278

6,623

8,183

Jackson

65,041

54,045

82,328

Jasper

14,928

29,384

32,021

Jefferson .

•15,380

16.186

18,736

Johnson

24,648

23,646

28,177

Knox .

10,974

12,678

13,047

Laclede

9,380

9,845

11,524

Lafayette .

22,624

22,204

25,761

Lawrence .

13,067

13,054

17,585

Lewis .

15,114

16,360

15,925

Lincoln

15,960

16,858

17,443

Linn .

15,906

18,110

20,016

Livingston .

16,730

18,074

20,205

HISTORY OP MISSOURI

POPULATION BY COUNTIES — Continued.

Conn ties.

1876.

1880.

McDonald .

•

5,226

6,072

7,816

Macon

•

23,230

25,028

26,223

Madison *

•

5,849

8,750

8,866

Maries .

•

5,916

6,481

7,304

Marion

•

23,780

22,794

24,837

Mercer

•

11,557

13,393

14,674

Miller

•

6,616

8,529

9,807

Mississippi

•

4,982

7,498

9,270

Moniteau .

•

13,375

13,084

14,349

Monroe

•

17,149

17,751

19,075

Montgomery

•

10,405

14,418

16,250

Morgan

•

8,434

9,529

10,134

New Madrid

•

6,357

6,673

7,694

Newton

•

12,821

16,875

18,948

Nodaway .

•

14,751

23,196

29,560

Oregon

•

3,287

4,469

5,791

Osage .

•

10,793

11,200

11,824

Ozark .

•

3,363

4,579

5,618

Pemiscot .

•

2,059

2,573

4,299

Perry .

•

9,877

11,189

11,895

Pettis .

•

18,706

23,167

27,285

Phelps

•

10,506

9,919

12,565

Pike . .

•

23,076

22,828

26,716

Platte ,

•

17,352

15,948

17,372

Polk .

•

14,445

13,467

15,745

Pulaski .

•

4,714

6,157

7,250

Putnam .

•

11,217

12,641

13,556

Halls .

•

10,510

9,997

11,838

Randolph .

•

15,908

19,173

22,751

Hay .

•

18,700

18,394

20,196

Reynolds .

•

3,756

4,716

5,722

Ripley

•

3,175

3,913

5,377

St. Charles

•

21,304

21,821

23,060

St. Clair

•

6,742

11,242

14,126

St. Francois

•

9,742

11,621

13,822

Ste. Genevieve

•

8,384

9,409

10,309

St. Louis1 .

•

351,189

• • •

31,888

Saline

•

21,672

27,087

29,912

Schuyler .

•

8,820

9,881

10,470

Scotland

•

10,670

12,030

12,507

Scott .

•

7,317

7,312

8,587

Shannon

•

2,339

3,236

3,441

Shelby

•

10,119

13,243

14,024

Stoddard .

•

8,535

10,888

13,432

Stone . .

•

3,253

3,544

4,405

Sullivan

•

11,907

14,039

16,569

Taney

•

4,407

6,124

5,605

Texas .

•

9,618

10,287

12,207

Vernon

•

11,247

14,413

19,370

Warren

•

9,673

10,321

10,806

Washington

•

11,719

13,100

12,895

Wayne

•

. 6,068

7,006

9,097

Webster .

•

10,434

10,684

12,175

Worth

•

5,004

7,164

8,208

Wright

•

6,684

6,124

9,733

City of St. Louis

•

• • •

350,522

1,721,295

1,547,030

2,168,804

1 St. Louis City and County separated in 1877. Population for 1876 not given

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

SUMMARY.

Males

1,126,424

Females .

1,041,380

Native .

1,957,564

Foreign •

211,240

White .

•

• •

•

2,023,568

Colored 1 .

145,236

CHAP TEE HI.

GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI.

Classification of Rocks — Quatenary Formation — Tertiary — Cretaceous — Carbonifer¬
ous — Devonian — Silurian — Azoic — Economic Geology — Coal — Iron — Lead —
Copper — Zinc — Building Stone — Marble — Gypsum — Lime — Clays — Paints —
Springs — Water Power.

The stratified rocks of Missouri, as classified and treated of by Prof.
G. C. Swallow, belong to the following divisions : I. Quatenary ;
II. Tertiary ; III. Cretaceous ; IV. Carboniferous ; Y. Devonian ;
YI. Silurian ; VII. Azoic.

“ The Quatenary formations, are the most recent, and the most
valuable to man: valuable, because they can be more readily utilized.

The Quatenary formation in Missouri, embraces the Alluvium, 30
feet thick; Bottom Prairie, 30 feet thick; Bluff, 200 feet thick; and
Drift, 155 feet thick. The latest deposits are those which constitute
the Alluvium, and includes the soils, pebbles and sand, clays, vegeta¬
ble mould, bog, iron ore, marls, etc.

The Alluvium deposits, cover an area, within the limits of Mis¬
souri, of more than four millions acres of land, which are not sur¬
passed for fertility by any region of country on the globe.

The Bluff Prairie formation is confined to the low lands, which are
washed by the two great rivers which course our eastern and western
boundaries, and while it is only about half as extensive as the Allu¬
vial, it is equally as rich and productive. ”

“ The Bluff formation,” says Prof. Swallow, “ rests upon the
ridges and river bluffs, and descends along their slopes to the lowest
valleys, the formation capping all the Bluffs of the Missouri from
Fort Union to its mouth, and those of the Mississippi from Dubuque

1 Including 92 Chinese, 2 half Chinese, and 96 Indians and half-breeds.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

to the mouth of the Ohio. It forms the upper stratum beneath the
soil of all the high lands, both timber and prairies, of all the counties
north of the Osage and Missouri, and also St. Louis, and the Missis¬
sippi counties on the south.

Its greatest development is in the counties on the Missouri River
from the Iowa line to Boonville. In some localities it is 200 feet
thick. At St. Joseph it is 140; at Boonville 100; and at St. Louis,
in St. George’s quarry, and the Big Mound, it is about 50 feet ;
while its greatest observed thickness in Marion county was only 30
feet.”

The Drift formation is that which lies beneath the Bluff formation,
having, as Prof. Swallow informs us, three distinct deposits, to wits
“Altered Drift, which are strata of sand and pebbles, seen in the
banks of the Missouri, in the northwestern portion of the State.

The Boulder formation is a heterogeneous stratum of sand, gravel
and boulder, and water-worn fragments of the older rocks.

Boulder Clay is a bed of bluish or brown sandy clay, through which
pebbles are scattered in greater or less abundance. In some locali¬
ties in northern Missouri, this formation assumes a pure white, pipe¬
clay color.”

The Tertiary formation is made up of clays, shales, iron ores, sand¬
stone, and sands, scattered along the bluffs, and edges of the bottoms,
reaching from Commerce, Scott County, to Stoddard, and south to
the Chalk Bluffs in Arkansas.

The Cretaceous formation lies beneath the Tertiary, and is com¬
posed of variegated sandstone, bluish-brown sandy slate, whitish-
brown impure sandstone, fine white clay mingled with spotted flint,
purple, red and blue clays, all being in the aggregate, 158 feet in
thickness. There are no fossils in these rocks, and nothing by which
their age may be told.

The Carboniferous system includes the Upper Carboniferous or
coal-measures, and the Lower Carboniferous or Mountain limestone.
The coal-measures are made up of numerous strata of sandstones,
limestones, shales, clays, marls, spathic iron ores, and coals.

The Carboniferous formation, including coal-measures and the beds
of iron, embrace an area in Missouri of 27,000 square miles. The
varieties of coal found in the State are the common bituminous and
cannel coals, and they exist in quantities inexhaustible. The fact
that these coal-measures are full of fossils, which are always confined

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

to the coal measures, enables the geologist to point them out, and the
coal beds contained in them.

The rocks of the Lower Carboniferous iormation are varied in color,
and are quarried in many different parts of the State, being exten¬
sively utilized for building and other purposes.

Among the Lower Carboniferous rocks is found the Upper Archi¬
medes Limestone, 200 feet ; Ferruginous Sandstone, 195 feet ; Mid¬
dle Archimedes, 50 feet ; St. Louis Limestone, 250 feet ; Oolitic
Limestone, 25 feet; Lower Archimedes Limestone, 350 feet; and
Encrinital Limestone, 500 feet. These limestones generally contain
fossils.

The Ferruginous limestone is soft when quarried, but becomes hard
and durable after exposure. It contains large quantities of iron, and
is found skirting the eastern coal measures from the mouth of the
Des Moines to McDonald county.

The St. Louis limestone is of various hues and tints, and very hard.
It is found in Clark, Lewis and St. Louis counties.

The Lower Archimedes limestone includes partly the lead bearing
rocks of Southwestern Missouri.

The Encrinital limestone is the most extensive of the divisions of
Carboniferous limestone, and is made up of brown, buff, gray and
white. In these strata are found the remains of corals and mollusks.
This formation extends from Marion county to Greene county. The
Devonian system contains : Chemung Group, Hamilton Group,
Onondaga limestone and Oriskany sandstone. The rocks of the
Devonian system are found in Marion, Ralls, Pike, Callaway, Saline
and Ste. Genevieve counties.

The Chemung Group has three formations, Chouteau limestone, 85
feet; Vermicular sandstone and shales, 75 feet; Lithographic lime¬
stone, 125 feet.

The Chouteau limestone is in two divisions, when fully developed,
and when first quarried is soft. It is not only good for building pur¬
poses but makes an excellent cement.

The Vermicular sandstone and shales are usually buff or yellowish
brown, and perforated with pores.

The Lithographic limestone is a pure, fine, compact, evenly-tex¬
tured limestone. Its color varies from light drab to buff and blue.
It is called “pot metal,” because under the hammer it gives a sharp,
ringing sound. It has but few fossils.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

The Hamilton Group is made up of some 40 feet of blue shales, and
170 feet of crystalline limestone.

Onondaga limestone is usually a coarse, gray or buff crystalline,
thick-bedded and cherty limestone. No formation in Missouri pre¬
sents such variable and widely different lithological characters as the
Onondaga.

The Oriskany sandstone is a light, gray limestone.

Of the Upper Silurian series there are the following formations :
Lower Helderberg, 350 feet ; Niagara Group, 200 feet ; Cape Girar¬
deau limestone, 60 feet.

The Lower Helderberg is made up of buff, gray, and reddish cherty
and argillaceous limestone.

Niagara Group. The Upper part of this group consists of red,
yellow and ash-colored shales, with compact limestones, variegated
with bands and nodules of chert.

The Cape Girardeau limestone, on the Mississippi River near Cape
Girardeau, is a compact, bluish-gray, brittle limestone, with smooth
fractures in layers from two to six inches in thickness, with argilla¬
ceous partings. These strata contain a great many fossils.

The Lower Silurian has the following ten formations, to wit : Hud¬
son River Group, 220 feet ; Trenton limestone, 360 feet ; Black River
and Bird’s Eye limestone, 175 feet; first Magnesian limestone, 200
feet; Saccharoidal sandstone, 125 feet; second Magnesian limestone,
250 feet; second sandstone, 115 feet; third Magnesian limestone,
350 feet; third sandstone, 60«feet; fourth Magnesian limestone, 350
feet.

Hudson River Group : — There are three formations which Prof.
Swallow refers to in this group. These formations are found in the
bluff above and below Louisiana ; on the Grassy a few miles north¬
west of Louisiana, and in Ralls, Pike, Cape Girardeau and Ste. Gene¬
vieve Counties.

Trenton limestone : The upper part of this formation is made up
of thick beds of hard, compact, bluish gray and drab limestone, varie¬
gated with irregular cavities, filled with greenish materials.

The beds are exposed between Hannibal and New London, north of
Salt River, near Glencoe, St. Louis County, and are seventy-five feet
thick.

Black River and Bird’s Eye limestone the same color as the Trenton
limestone.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

The first Magnesian limestone cap the picturesque oluffs of the Osage
in Benton and neighboring counties.

The Saccharoidal sandstone has a wide range in the State. In a
bluff about two miles from Warsaw, is a very striking change of thick¬
ness of this formation.

Second Magnesian limestone, in lithological character, is like the

first.

The second sandstone, usually of yellowish brown, sometimes
becomes a pure white, fine-grained, soft sandstone as on Cedar Creek,
in Washington and Franklin Counties.

The third Magnesian limestone is exposed in the high and picturesque
bluffs of the Niangua, in the neighborhood of Bryce’s Spring.

The third sandstone is white and has a formation in moving water.

The fourth Magnesian limestone is seen on the Niangua and Osage
Rivers.

The Azoic rocks lie below the Silurian and form a series of silicious
and other slates which contain no remains of organic life.

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.

Coal . — Missouri is particularly rich in minerals. Indeed, no State
in the Union, surpasses her in this respect. In some unknown age of
the past — long before the existence of man — Nature, by a wise process,
made a bountiful provision for the time, when in the order of things,
it should be necessary for civilized man to take possession of these
broad, rich prairies. As an equivalent for lack of forests, she quietly
stored away beneath the soil those wonderful carboniferous treasures
for the use of man.

Geological surveys have developed the fact that the coal deposits in
the State are almost unnumbered, embracing all varieties of the best
bituminous coal. A large portion of the State, has been ascer¬
tained to be one continuous coal field, stretching from the mouth
of the Des Moines River through Clark, Lewis, Scotland, Adair,
Macon, Shelby, Monroe, Audrain, Callaway, Boone, Cooper, Pettis,
Benton, Henry, St. Clair, Bates, Vernon, Cedar, Dade, Barton and
Jasper, into the Indian Territory, and the counties on the northwest of
this line contain more or less coal. Coal rocks exist in Ralls, Mont¬
gomery, Warren, St. Charles, Moniteau, Cole, Morgan, Crawford and
Lincoln, and during the past few years, all along the lines of all the
railroads in North Missouri, and along the western end of the Missouri
Pacific, and on the Missouri River, between Kansas City and Sioux

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

Citv, has systematic mining, opened up hundreds of mines in different
localities. The area of our coal beds, on the line of the southwestern
boundary of the State alone, embraces more than 26,000 square miles
of regular coal measures. This will give of workable coal, if the
average bo one foot, 26,800,000,000 tons. The estimates from the
developments already made, in the different portions of the State, will
give 134,000,000,000 tons.

The economical value of this coal to the State, its influence in
domestic life, in navigation, commerce and manufactures, is beyond
the imagination of man to conceive. Suffice it to say, that in the pos¬
session of her developed and undeveloped coal mines, Missouri has a
motive power, which in its influences for good, in the civilization of
man, is more potent than the gold of California.

Iron . — Prominent among the minerals, which increase the power
and prosperity of a nation, is iron. Of this Ore, Missouri has an inex¬
haustible quantity, and like her coal fields, it has been developed in
many portions of the State, and of the best and purest quality. It is
found in great abundance in the counties of Cooper, St. Clair, Greene,
Henry, Franklin, Benton, Dallas, Camden, Stone, Madison, Iron,
Washington, Perry, St. Francois, Reynolds, Stoddard, Scott, Dent
and others. The greatest deposit of iron is found in the Iron Moun¬
tain, which is two hundred feet high, and covers an area of five hun¬
dred acres, and produces a metal, which is shown by analysis, to con¬
tain from 65 to 69 per cent of metallic iron.

The ore of Shepherd Mountain contains from 64 to 67 per cent of
metallic iron. The ore of Pilot Knob contains from 53 to 60 per cent.

Rich beds of iron are also found at the Big Bogy Mountain, and at
Russell Mountain. This ore has, in its nude state, a varietv of colors,
from the red, dark red, black, brown, to a light bluish gray. The
red ores are found in twenty-one or more counties of the State, and
are of great commercial value. The brown hematite iron ores extend
over a greater range of country than all the others combined, embrac¬
ing about one hundred counties, and have been ascertained to exist in
these in large quantities.

Lead. — Long before any permanent settlements were made in Mis¬
souri by the whites, lead was mined within the limits of the State at
two or three points on the Mississippi. At this time more than five
hundred mines are opened, and many of them are beinir successfully
worked. These deposits of lead cover an area, so far as developed,
of more than seven thousand square miles. Mines have been opened

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

in Jefferson, Washington, St. Francois, Madison, Wayne, Carter, Rey¬
nolds, Crawford, Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Cole, Cape Girardeau, Cam¬
den, Morgan, and many other counties.

Copper and Zinc. — Several varieties of copper ore are found in
Missouri. The copper mines of Shannon, Madison and Franklin
Counties have been known for years, and some of these have been
successfully worked and are now yielding good results.

Deposits of copper have been discovered in Dent, Crawford, Ben¬
ton, Maries, Green, Lawrence, Dade, Taney, Dallas, Phelps, Reynolds
and Wright Counties.

Zinc is abundant in nearly all the lead mines in the southwestern
part of the State, and since the completion of the A. & P. R. R. a
market has been furnished for this ore, which will be converted into
valuable merchandise.

Building Stone and Marble. — There is no scarcity of good building
stone in Missouri. Limestone, sandstone and granite exist in all
shades of buff, blue, red and brown, and are of great beauty as build¬
ing material.

There are many marble beds in the State, some of which furnish
very beautiful and excellent marble. It is found in Marion, Cooper,
St. Louis, and other counties.

One of the most desirable of the Missouri marbles is in the 3rd
Magnesian limestone, on the Niangua. It is fine-grained, crystalline,
silico-magnesian limestone, light-drab, slightly tinged with peach blos¬
som, and clouded by deep flesh-colored shades. In ornamental archi¬
tecture it is rarely surpassed.

Gypsum and Lime. — Though no extensive beds of gypsum have
been discovered in Missouri, there are vast beds of the pure white
crystalline variety on the line of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, on Kan¬
sas River, and on Gypsum Creek. It exists also in several other
localities accessible by both rail and boat.

All of the limestone formations in the State, from the coal measures
to fourth Magnesian, have more or less strata of very nearly pure car¬
bonate of pure lime.

Clays and Paints. — Clays are found in nearly all parts of the State
suitable for making bricks. Potters’ clay and fire-clay are worked in
many localities.

There are several beds of purple shades in the coal measures which
possess the properties requisite for paints used in outside work. Yel¬
low and red ochres are found in considerable quantities on the Missouri

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

River. Some of these paints have been thoroughly tested and found
fire-proof and durable.

SPRINGS AND WATER POWER.

No State is, perhaps, better supplied with cold springs of pure water
than Missouri. Out of the bottoms, there is scarcely a section of
land but has one or more perennial springs of good water. Even
where there are no springs, good water can be obtained by digging
from twenty to forty feet. Salt springs are abundant in the central
part of the State, and discharge their brine in Cooper, Saline, Howard,
and adjoining counties. Considerable salt was made in Cooper and
Howard Counties at an early day.

Sulphur springs are also numerous throughout the State. The
Chouteau Springs in Cooper, the Monagaw Springs in St. Clair, the
Elk Springs in Pike, and the Cheltenham Springs in St. Louis County
have acquired considerable reputation as salubrious waters, and have
become popular places of resort. Many other counties have good
sulphur springs.

Among the Chalybeate springs the Sweet Springs on the Black-
water, and the Chalybeate spring in the University campus are, perhaps,
the most popular of the kind in the State. There are, however, other
springs impregnated with some of the salts of iron.

Petroleum springs are found in Carroll, Ray, Randolph, Cass,
Lafayette, Bates, Vernon, and other counties. The variety called
lubricating oil is the more common.

The water power of the State is excellent. Large springs are
particularly abundant on the waters of the Meramec, Gasconade,
Bourbeuse, Osage, Niangua, Spring, White, Sugar, and other streams.
Besides these, there are hundreds of springs sufficiently large to drive
mills and factories, and the day is not far distant when these crystal
fountains will be utilized, aud a thousand saws will buzz to their
dashing music.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

CHAPTER IV.

TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Title to Missouri Lands — Right of Discovery — Title of France and Spain — Cession
to the United States — Territorial Changes — Treaties with Indians — First Settle¬
ment — Ste. Genevieve and New Bourbon — St. Louis — When Incorporated —
Potosi — St. Charles — Portage des Sioux — New Madrid — St. Francois Couuty —
Perry — Mississippi — Loutre Island — “Boone’s Lick” — Cote Sans Dessein —
Howard County — Some First Things — Counties — When Organized.

The title to the soil of Missouri was, of course, primarily vested in
the original occupants who inhabited the country prior to its discovery
by the whites. But the Indians, being savages, possessed but tew
rights that civilized nations considered themselves bound to respect ;
so, therefore, when they found this country in the possession of such
a people they claimed it in the name of the King of France, by the
rial it of discovery . It remained under the jurisdiction of France
until 1763.

Prior to the year 1763, the entire continent of North America was
divided between France, England, Spain and Russia. France held all
that portion that now constitutes our national domain west ol the
Mississippi River, except Texas, and the territory which we have
obtained from Mexico and Russia. The vast region, while under the
jurisdiction of France, was known as the “ Province of Louisiana,
and embraced the present State of Missouri. At the close of the
“ Old French War/’ in 1763, France gave up her share of the con¬
tinent, and Spain came into the possession of the territory west ot the
Mississippi River, while Great Britain retained Canada and the legions
northward, having obtained that territory by conquest, m the war
with France. For thirty-seven years the territory now embraced
within the limits of Missouri, remained as a part ol the possession o
Spain, and then went back to France by the treaty ot St. Ildelonso,
October 1, 1800. On the 30th of April, 1803, France ceded .t to the
United States, in consideration of receiving $11 250 000 and the
liquidation of certain claims, held by citizens ot the United btatea
against France, which amounted to the fuit iei sum o » ’ ’

making a total of $15,000,000. It will thus be seen that 1 ™co as
twice, and Spain once, held sovereignty over the territory embracing

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

Missouri, "hut the financial needs of Napoleon afforded our Govern¬
ment an opportunity to add another empire to its domain.

On the 31st of October, 1803, an act of Congress was approved,
authorizing the President to take possession of the newly acquired
territory, and provided for it a temporary government, and another
act, approved March 26, 1804, authorized the division of the “ Louis¬
iana Purchase, ” as it was then called, into two separate territories.
All that portion south of the 33d parallel of north latitude was called
the “ Territory of Orleans,” and that north of the said parallel was
known as the “ District of Louisiana,” and was placed under the
jurisdiction of what was then known as “ Indian Territory.”

By virtue of an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1805, the
“District of Louisiana” was organized as the “Territory of Louis¬
iana,” with a territorial government of its own, which went into
operation July 4th of the same year, and it so remained till 1812. In
this year the “ Territory of Orleans ” became the State of Louisiana,
and the “Territory of Louisiana” was organized as the “ Territory
of Missouri.”

This change took place under an act of Congress, approved June 4,
1812. In 1819, a portion of this territory was organized as “ Arkan¬
sas Territory,” and on August 10, 1821, the State of Missouri was
admitted, being a part of the former “ Territory of Missouri.”

In 1836, the “ Platte Purchase,” then, being a part of the Indian
Territory, and now composing the counties of Atchison, Andrew,
Buchanan, Holt, Nodaway and Platte, was made by treaty with the
Indians, and added to the State. It will be seen, then, that the soil
of Missouri belonged : —

1. To France, with other territory.

2. In 1763, with other territory, it was ceded to Spain.

3. October 1, 1800, it was ceded, with other territory from Spain,
back to France.

4. April 30, 1803, it was ceded, with other territory, by France to
the United States.

5. October 31, 1803, a temporary government was authorized by
Congress for the newly acquired territory.

6. October 1, 1804, it was included in the “ District of Louisiana”
and placed under the territorial government of Indiana.

7. July 4, 1805, it was included as a part of the “ Territory of
Louisiana,” then organized with a separate territorial government.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

8. June 4, 1812, it was embraced in what was then made the “ Ter¬
ritory of Missouri.’ ’

9. August 10, 1821, it was admitted into the Union as a State.

10. In 1836, the “Platte Purchase” was made, adding more ter-
ritory to the State.

The cession by France, April 30, 1803, vested the title in the United
States, subject to the claims of the Indians, which it was very justly
the policy of the Government to recognize. Before the Government
of the United States could vest clear title to the soil in the grantee it
was necessary to extinguish the Indian title by purchase. This was
done accordingly by treaties made with the Indians at different times.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The name of the first white man who set foot on the territory now
embraced in the State of Missouri, is not known, nor is it known at
what precise period the first settlements were made. It is, however,
generally agreed that they were made at Ste. Genevieve and New
Bourbon, tradition fixing the date of the settlements in the autumn of
1735. These towns were settled by the French from Kaskaskia and
St. Philip in Illinois.

St. Louis was founded by Pierre Laclede Liguest, on the 15th of
February, 1764. He was a native of France, and was one of the
members of the company of Laclede Liguest, Antonio Maxant & Co.,
to whom a royal charter had been granted, confirming the privilege
of an exclusive trade with the Indians of Missouri as far north as St.
Peter’s River.

While in search of a trading post he ascended the Mississippi as far
as the mouth of the Missouri, and finally returned to the present town
site of St. Louis. After the village had been laid off he named it St.
Louis in honor of Louis XV., of France.

The colony thrived rapidly by accessions from Kaskaskia and other
towns on the east side of the Mississippi, and its trade was largely in.
creased by many of the Indian tribes, who removed a portion of their
peltry trade from the same towns to St. Louis. It was incorporated
as a town on the ninth day of November, 1809, by the Court of Com¬
mon Pleas of the district of St. Louis; the town trustees being
Auguste Chouteau, Edward Hempstead, Jean F. Cabanne, Wm. C.
Carr and William Christy, and incorporated as a city December 9,
1822. The selection of the town site on which St. Louis stands was
highly judicious, the spot not only being healthful and having the ad-

24 •

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

vantages of water transportation unsurpassed, but surrounded by a
beautiful region of country, rich in soil and mineral resources. St.
Louis has grown to be the fifth city in population in the Union, and
is to-dav the great center of internal commerce of the Missouri, the
Mississippi and their tributaries, and, with its railroad facilities, it is
destined to be the greatest inland city of the American continent.

The next settlement was made at Potosi, in Washington County, in
1765, by Francis Breton, who, while chasing a bear, discovered the
mine near the present town of Potosi, where he afterward located.

One of the most prominent pioneers who settled at Potosi was
Moses Austin, of Virginia, who, in 1795, received by grant from the
Spanish government a league of land, now known as the “Austin Sur¬
vey. 99 The grant was made on condition that Mr. Austin would es¬
tablish a lead mine at Potosi and work it. He built a palatial
residence, for that day, on the brow of the hill in the little village,
which was for many years known as “ Durham Hall.” At this point
the first shot-tower and sheet-lead manufactory were erected.

Five vears after the founding of St. Louis the first settlement made
in Northern Missouri was made near St. Charles, in St. Charles
County, in 1769. The name given to it, and which it retained till
1784, was Les Petites Cotes , signifying, Little Hills. The town site
was located by Blanchette, a Frenchman, surnamed LeChasseur, who
built the first fort in the town and established there a military post.

Soon after the establishment of the military post at St. Charles, the
old French village of Portage des Sioux , was located on the Missis-
sippi,just below the mouth of the Illinois River, and at about the
6ame time a Kickapoo village was commenced at Clear Weather Lake.
The present town site of New Madrid, in New Madrid county, was
settled in 1781, by French Canadians, it then being occupied by Del¬
aware Indians. The place now known as Big River Mills, St. Fran¬
cois county, was settled in 1796, Andrew Baker, John Alley, Francis
Starnater and John Andrews, each locating claims. The following
year, a settlement was made in the same county, just below the pres¬
ent town of Farmington, by the Rev. William Murphy, a Baptist min¬
ister from East Tennessee. In 1796, settlements were made in Perry
countv bv emigrants from Kentuckv and Pennsvlvania ; the latter lo-
catin" in the rich bottom lands of Bois Brule, the former generally
settling in the “ Barrens, ” and along the waters of Saline Creek.

Bird’s Point, in Mississippi county, opposite Cairo, Illinois, was
settled August 6, 1800, by John Johnson, by virtue of a land-grant

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

from the commandant under the Spanish Government. Norfolk and
Charleston, in the same county, were settled respectively in 1800 and
1801. Warren county was settled in 1801. Loutre Island, below
the present town of Hermann, in the Missouri River, was settled by a
few American families in 1807. This little company of pioneers suf¬
fered greatly from the floods, as well as from the incursions of thieving
and blood-thirsty Indians, and many incidents of a thrilling character
could be related of trials and struggles, had we the time and space.

In 1807, Nathan and Daniel M. Boone, sons of the great hunter and
pioneer, in company with three others, went from St. Louis to
“Boone’s Lick,” in Howard county, where they manufactured salt
and formed the nucleus of a small settlement.

Cote Sans Dessein , now called Bakersville, on the Missouri River,
in Callaway county, was settled by the French in 1801. This little
town was considered at that time, as the “ Far West” of the new
world. During the war of 1812, at this place many hard-fought
battles occurred between the whites and Indians, wherein woman’s
fortitude and courage greatly assisted in the defence of the settle¬
ment.

In 1810, a colony of Kentuckians numbering one hundred and fifty
families immigrated to Howard county, and settled on the Missouri
River in Cooper’s Bottom near the present town of Franklin, and
opposite Arrow Rock.

Such, in brief, is the history of some of the early settlements of
Missouri, covering a period of more than half a century.

These settlements were made on the water courses ; usually along
the banks of the two great streams, whose navigation afforded them
transportation for their marketable commodities, and communication
with the civilized portion of the country.

They not only encountered the gloomy forests, settling as they did
by the river’s brink, but the hostile incursion of savage Indians, by
whom they were for manv vears surrounded.

The expedients of these brave men who first broke ground in the
territory, have been succeeded by the permanent and tasteful improve¬
ments of their descendants. Upon the spots where they toiled, dared
and died, are seen the comfortable farm, the beautiful village, and
thrifty city. Churches and school houses greet the eye on every
hand; railroads diverge in every direction, and, indeed, all the appli¬
ances of a higher civilization are profusely strewn over the smiling
surface of the State.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

Culture’s hand

Has scattered verdure o’er the land;

And smiles and fragrance rule serene,

Where barren wild usurped the scene.

SOME FIRST THINGS.

The first marriage that took place in Missouri was April 20, 1766,
in St. Louis.

The first baptism was performed in May, 1766, in St. Louis.

The first house of worship, (Catholic) was erected in 1775, at St.
Louis.

The first ferry established in 1805, on the Mississippi River, at St.
Louis.

The first newspaper established in St. Louis ( Missouri Gazette ), in
1808.

The first postoffice was established in 1804, in St. Louis — Rufus
Easton, post-master.

The first Protestant church erected at Ste. Genevieve, in 1806 —
Baptist.

The first bank established (Bank of St. Louis), in 1814.

The first market house opened in 1811, in St. Louis.

The first steamboat on the Upper Mississippi was the General Pike,
Capt. Jacob Reid ; landed at St. Louis 1817.

The first board of trustees for public schools appointed in 1817, St.
Louis.

The first college built (St. Louis College), in 1817.

The first steamboat that came up the Missouri River as high as
Franklin was the Independence, in May, 1819; Capt. Nelson, mas¬
ter.

The first court house erected in 1823, in St. Louis.

The first cholera appeared in St. Louis in 1832.

The first railroad convention held in St. Louis, April 20, 1836.

The first telegraph lines reached East St. Louis, December 20,

1847.

The first great fire occurred in St. Louis, 1849.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI,

CHAPTER Y.

TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION.

Organization 1812 — Council — House of Representatives — William Clark first Terri¬
torial Governor — Edward Hempstead first Delegate — Spanish Grants — First
General Assembly — Proceedings — Second Assembly — Proceedings — Population
of Territory — Vote of Territory — Rufus Easton — Absent Members — Third Assem¬
bly — Proceedings — Application for Admission.

/ *

Congress organized Missouri as a Territory, July 4, 1812, with a
Governor and General Assembly. The Governor, Legislative Coun¬
cil, and House of Representatives exercised the Legislative power of
the Territory, the Governor’s vetoing power being absolute.

The Legislative Council was composed of nine members, whose ten¬
ure of office lasted five years. Eighteen citizens were nominated by
the House of Representatives to the President of the United States,
from whom he selected, with the approval of the Senate, nine Coun¬
cillors, to compose the Legislative Council.

The House of Representatives consisted of members chosen every
two years by the people, the basis of representation being one mem¬
ber for every five hundred white males. The first House of Repre¬
sentatives consisted of thirteen members, and, by Act of Congress, the
whole number of Representatives could not exceed twenty-five.

The judicial power of the Territory, was vested in the Superior and
Inferior Courts, and in the Justices of the Peace ; the Superior Court
having three judges, whose term of office continued four years, hav¬
ing original and appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases.

The Territory could send one delegate to Congress. Governor
Clark issued a proclamation, October 1st, 1812, required by Congress,
reorganizing the districts of St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve,
Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid, into five counties, and fixed the
second Monday in November following, for the election of a delegate
to Congress, and the members of the Territorial House of Represen¬
tatives.

William Clark, of the expedition of Lewis and Clark, was the first
Territorial Governor, appointed by the President, who began his duties
1813.

Edward Hempstead, Rufus Easton, Samuel Hammond, and Matthew
Lyon were candidates in November for delegates to Congress.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

Edward Hempstead was elected, being the first Territorial Dele¬
gate to Congress from Missouri. He served one term, declining a
second, and was instrumental in having Congress to pass the act of
June 13, 1812, which he introduced, confirming the title to lands
which were claimed by the people by virtue of Spanish grants. The
same act confirmed to the people “for the support of schools,” the
title to village lots, out-lots or common field lots, which were held
and enjoyed by them, at the time of the session in 1803.

Under the act of June 4, 1812, the first General Assembly held its
session in the house of Joseph Robidoux, in St. Louis, on the 7th of
December, 1812. The names of the members of the House were: —

St. Charles. — John Pitman and Robert Spencer.

St. Louis. — David Music, Bernard G. Farrar, William C. Carr,
and Richard Clark.

Ste. Genevieve. — George Bullet, Richard S. Thomas, and Isaac
McGready.

Cape Girardeau. — George F. Bollinger, and Spencer Byrd.

New Madrid. — John Shrader and Samuel Phillips.

John B. C. Lucas, one of the Territorial Judges, administered the
oath of office. William C. Carr was elected speaker, and Andrew
Scott, Clerk.

The House of Representatives proceeded to nominate eighteen per¬
sons from whom the President of the United States, with the Senate,
was to select nine for the Council. From this number the President
chose the following :

St. Charles. — James Flaugherty and Benjamin Emmons.

St. Louis. — Auguste Chouteau, Sr., and Samuel Hammond.

Ste. Genevieve. — John Scott and James Maxwell.

Cape Girardeau. — William Neeley and Joseph Cavenor.

New Madrid. — Joseph Hunter.

The Legislative Council, thus chosen by the President and Senate,
was announced by Frederick Bates, Secretary and Acting-Governor of
the Territory, by proclamation, June 3, 1813, and fixing the first
Monday in July following, as the time for the meeting of the Legis¬
lature.

In the meantime the duties of the executive office were assumed by
William Clark. The Legislature accordingly met, as required by the
Acting-Governor’s proclamation, in July, but its proceedings were
never officially published. Consequently but little is known in refer¬
ence to the workings of the first Territorial Legislature in Missouri.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

From the imperfect account, published in the Missouri Gazette , of
that day ; a paper which had been in existence since 1808, it is found
that laws were passed regulating and establishing weights and meas¬
ures ; creating the office of Sheriff ; providing the manner for taking
the census ; permanently fixing the seats of Justices, and an act to
compensate its own members. At this session, laws were also passed
defining crimes and penalties ; laws in reference to forcible entry and
detainer; establishing Courts of Common Pleas; incorporating the
Bank of St. Louis ; and organizing a part of Ste. Genevieve county
into the county of Washington.

The next session of the Legislature convened in St. Louis, Decern-
ber 6, 1813. George Bullet of Ste. Genevieve county, was speaker
elect, and Andrew Scott, clerk, and William Sullivan, doorkeeper.
Since the adjournment of the former Legislature, several vacancies
had occurred, and new members had been elected to fill their places.
Among these was Israel McCready, from the county of Washington.

The president of the legislative council was Samuel Hammond.
No journal of the council was officially published, but the proceedings
of the house are found in the Gazette .

At this session of the Legislature many wise and useful laws were
passed, having reference to the temporal as well as the moral and
spiritual welfare of the people. Laws were enacted for the suppres¬
sion of vice and immorality on the Sabbath day ; for the improve¬
ment of public roads and highways ; creating the offices of auditor,
treasurer and county surveyor ; regulating the fiscal affairs of the
Territory and fixing the boundary lines of New Madrid, Cape Girar¬
deau, Washington and St. Charles counties. The Legislature ad¬
journed on the 19th of January, 1814, sine die .

The population of the Territory as shown by the United States
census in 1810, was 20,845. The census taken by the Legislature in
1814 gave the Territory a population of 25,000. This enumeration
shows the county of St. Louis contained the greatest number of in¬
habitants, aud the new county of Arkansas the least — the latter hav¬
ing 827, and the former 3,149.

The candidates for delegate to Congress were Rufus Easton, Samuel
Hammond, Alexander McNair and Thomas F. Riddick. Rufus
Easton and Samuel Hammond had been candidates at the preceding
election. In all the counties, excepting Arkansas, the votes aggre¬
gated 2,599, of which number Mr. Easton received 965, Mr. Ham-

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

mond 746, Mr. McNair 853, and Mr. Riddick (who had withdrawn
previously to the election) 35. Mr. Easton was elected.

The census of 1814 showing a large increase in the population of
the Territory, an appointment was made increasing the number of
Representatives in the Territorial Legislature to twenty-two. The
General Assembly began its session in St. Louis, December 5, 1814.
There were present on the first day twenty Representatives. James
Caldwell of Ste. Genevieve county was elected speaker, and Andrew
Scott who had been clerk of the preceding assembly, was chosen
clerk. The President of the Council was William Neeley, of Cape
Girardeau county.

It appeared that James Maxwell, the absent member of the Council,
and Seth Emmons, member elect of the House of Representatives,
were dead. The county of Lawrence was organized at this session,
from the western part of New Madrid county, and the corporate
powers of St. Louis were enlarged. In 1815 the Territorial Legisla¬
ture again began its session. Only a partial report of its proceedings
are given in the Gazette . The county of Howard was then organized
from St. Louis and St. Charles counties, and included all that part of
the State lying north of the Osage and south of the dividing ridge
between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. (For precise bounda¬
ries, see Chapter I. of the History of Boone County.)

The next session of the Territorial Legislature commenced its ses¬
sion in December, 1816. During the sitting of this Legislature many
important acts were passed. It was then that the “ Bank of Mis¬
souri ” was chartered and went into operation. In the fall of 1817 the
“Bank of St. Louis” and the “Bank of Missouri” were issuing
bills. An act was passed chartering lottery companies, chartering
the academy at Potosi, and incorporating a board of trustees for
superintending the schools in the town of St. Louis. Laws were also
passed to encourage the “ killing of wolves, panthers and wild-cats.”

The Territorial Legislature met again in December, 1818, and,
among other things, organized the counties of Pike, Cooper, Jeffer¬
son, Franklin, Wayne, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, and three
counties in the Southern part of Arkansas. In 1819 the Territory of
Arkansas was formed into a separate government of its own.

The people of the Territory of Missouri had been, for some time,
anxious that their Territory should assume the duties and responsibilities
of a sovereign State. Since 1812, the date of the organization of the
Territory, the population had rapidly increased, many counties had

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

been established, its commerce had grown into importance, its agri¬
cultural and mineral resources were being developed, and believing
that its admission into the Union as a State would give fresh impetus
to all these interests, and hasten its settlement, the Territorial Legis¬
lature of 1818-19 accordingly made application to Congress for the
passage of an act authorizing the people of Missouri to organize a State
government.

CHAPTER VI.

Application of Missouri to be admitted into the Union — Agitation of the Slavery
Question — “ Missouri Compromise ” — Constitutional Convention of 1820 — Con¬
stitution presented to Congress — Further Resistance to Admission — Mr. Clay and
his Committee make Report — Second Compromise — Missouri Admitted.

With the application of the Territorial Legislature of Missouri for
her admission into the Union, commenced the real agitation of the
slavery question in the United States.

Not only was our National Legislature the theater of angry discus¬
sions, but everywhere throughout the length and breadth of the Re¬
public the “Missouri Question’ * was the all-absorbing theme. The
political skies threatened,

“ In forked flashes, a commanding tempest,”

Which was liable to burst upon the nation at any moment. Through
such a crisis our country seemed destined to pass. The question as to
the admission of Missouri was to be the beginning of this crisis, which
distracted the public counsels of the nation for more than forty years
afterward.

Missouri asked to be admitted into the great family of States.
“ Lower Louisiana,” her twin sister Territory, had knocked at the
door of the Union eight years previously, and was admitted as stipu¬
lated by Napoleon, to all the rights, privileges and immunities of a
State, and in accordance with the stipulations of the same treaty,
Missouri now sought to be clothed with the same rights, privileges
and immunities.

As what is known in the history of the United States as the “ Mis¬
souri Compromise,” of 1820, takes rank among the most prominent

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

measures that had up to that day engaged the attention of our
National Legislature, we shall enter somewhat into its details, being
connected as they are with the annals of the State.

February 15th , 1819. — After the House had resolved itself into a
Committee of the Whole on the bill to authorize the admission of Mis¬
souri into the Union, and after the question of her admission had been
discussed for some time, Mr. Tallmadge, of New York, moved to
amend the bill, by adding to it the following proviso : —

“And Provided , That the further introduction of slavery or involun¬
tary servitude be prohibited, except for the punishment of crime,
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, and that all chil¬
dren born within the said State, after the admission thereof into the
Union, shall be free at the age of twenty-five years.”

As might have been expected, this proviso precipitated the angry
discussions which lasted nearly three years, finally culminating in the
Missouri Compromise. All phases of the slavery question were pre¬
sented, not in its moral and social aspects, but as a great constitu¬
tional question, affecting Missouri and the admission of future States.
The proviso, when submitted to a vote, was adopted — 79 to 67, and
so reported to the House.

Hon. John Scott, who was at that time a delegate from the Terri-
torv of Missouri, was not permitted to vote, but as such delegate he
had the privilege of participating in the debates which followed. On
the 16th day of February the proviso was taken up and discussed.
After several speeches had been made, among them one by Mr. Scott
and one by the author of the proviso, Mr. Tallmadge, the amendment,
or proviso, was divided into two parts, and voted upon. The first
part of it, which included all to the word “ convicted,” was adopted —
87 to 76. The remaining part was then voted upon, and also
adopted, by 82 to 78. By a vote of 97 to 56 the bill was ordered to
be engrossed for a third reading.

The Senate Committee, to whom the bill was referred, reported the
same to the Senate on the 19th of February, when that body voted
first upon a motion to strike out of the proviso all after the word
“ convicted,” which was carried by a vote of 32 to 7. It then voted
to strike out the first entire clause, which prevailed — 22 to 16?
thereby defeating the proviso.

The House declined to concur in the action of the Senate, and the
bill was again returned to that body, which in turn refused to recede
from its position. The bill was lost and Congress adjourned. This

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

was most unfortunate for the country. The people having already
been wrought up to fever heat over the agitation of the question in
the National Councils, now became intensely excited. The press
added fuel to the flame, and the progress of events seemed rapidly
tending to the downfall of our nationality.

A long interval of nine months was to ensue before the meeting of
Congress. The body indicated by its vote upon the “ Missouri Ques¬
tion,’ ’ that the two great sections of the country were politically
divided upon the subject of slavery. The restrictive clause, which it
was sought to impose upon Missouri as a condition of her admission,
would in all probability, be one of the conditions of the admission of
the Territory of Arkansas. The public mind was in a state of great
doubt and uncertainty up to the meeting of Congress, which took
place on the 6th of December, 1819. The memorial of the Legisla-
tive Council and House of Representatives of the Missouri Territory,
praying for admission into the Union, was presented to the Senate
by Mr. Smith, of South Carolina. It was referred to the Judiciary
Committee.

Some three weeks having passed without any action thereon by the
Senate, the bill was taken up and discussed by the House until the
19th of February, when the bill from the Senate for the admission of
Maine was considered. The bill for the admission of Maine included
the “ Missouri Question,” by an amendment which read as follows :

“And be it further enacted, That in all that territory ceded by
France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies
north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes, north latitude (except¬
ing such part thereof as is) included within the limits of the State,
contemplated by this act, slavery and involuntary servitude, other¬
wise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have
been convicted, shall be and is hereby forever prohibited ; Provided ,
always , That any person escaping into the same from whom labor or
service is lawfully claimed, in any State or Territory of the United
States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the
person claiming his or her labor or services as aforesaid.”

The Senate adopted this amendment, which formed the basis of the
“Missouri Compromise,” modified afterward by striking out the
words, “ excepting only such part thereof P

The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 24 to 20. On the 2d day of
March the House took up the bill and amendments for consideration,

and by a vote of 134 to 42 concurred in the Senate amendment, and

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

the bill being passed by the two Houses, constituted section 8, of
“An Act to authorize the people of the Missouri Territory to form a
Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such
State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States, and
to prohibit slavery in certain territory.”

This act was approved March 6, 1820. Missouri then contained fif¬
teen organized counties. By act of Congress the people of said State
were authorized to hold an election on the first Monday, and two suc¬
ceeding days thereafter in May, 1820, to select representatives to a
State convention. This convention met in St. Louis on the 12th of
June, following the election in May, and concluded its labors on the
19th of July, 1820. David Barton was its President, and Wm. G.
Pettis, Secretary. There were forty-one members of this convention,
men of ability and statesmanship, as the admirable constitution wh'ch
they framed amply testifies. Their names #and the counties repre¬
sented by them are as follows : —

Cape Girardeau. — Stephen Bjrrd, James Evans, Richard S.
Thomas, Alexander Buckner and Joseph McFerron.

Cooper. — Robert P. Clark, Robert Wallace, Wm. Lillard.

Franklin. — John G. Heath.

Howard . — Nicholas S. Burkhart, Duff Green, John Ray, Jonathan
S. Findley, Benj. H. Reeves.

Jefferson. — Daniel Hammond.

Lincoln. — Malcom Henry. *

Montgomery. — Jonathan Ramsey, James Talbott.

Madison. — Nathaniel Cook.

New Madrid. — Robert S. Dawson, Christopher G. Houts.

Pike. — Stephen Cleaver.

St. Charles. — Benjamin Emmons, Nathan Boone, Hiram H. Baber.

Ste. Genevieve. — John D. Cook, Henry Dodge, John Scott, R. T.
Brown.

St. Louis. — David Barton, Edward Bates, Alexander McNair,
Wm. Rector, John C. Sullivan, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., Bernard Pratte,
Thomas F. Riddick.

T Y ashing ton. — John Rice Jones, Samuel Perry, John Hutchings.

Wayne . — Elijah Bettis.

On the 13th of November, 1820, Congress met again, and on the
surtn of the same month Mr. Scott, the delegate from Missouri, pre¬
sented to the House the Constitution as framed by the convention.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

The same was referred to a select committee, who made thereon a
favorable report.

The admission of the State, however, was resisted, because it was
claimed that its constitution sanctioned slavery, and authorized the
Legislature to pass laws preventing free negroes and mulattoes from
settling in the State. The report of the committee to whom was
referred the Constitution of Missouri was accompanied by a preamble
and resolutions, offered by Mr. Lowndes, of South Carolina. The
preamble and resolutions were stricken out.

The application of the State for admission shared the same fate in
the Senate. The question was referred to a select committee, who,
on the 29th of November, reported in favor of admitting the State.
The debate, which followed, continued for two weeks, and finally Mr.
E^ton, of Tennessee, offered an amendment to the resolution as fol¬
lows : —

“ Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as
to give the assent of Congress to any provision in the Constitution of
' issouri, if any such there be, which contravenes that clause in the

Constitution of the United States, which declares that the citizens of
each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of

citizens in the several States.”

The resolution, as amended, was adopted. The resolution and
proviso were again taken up and discussed at great length, when the
committee agreed to report the resolution to the House.

The question on agreeing to the amendment, as reported from the
committee of the whole, was lost in the House. A similar resolution
afterward passed the Senate, but was again rejected in the House.
Then it was that that great statesman and pure patriot, Henry Clay,
of Kentucky, feeling that the hour had come when angry discussions
should cease,

“ With grave

Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem’d 1
A pillar of state ; deep on his front engraver
Deliberation sat and public care ;

And princely counsel in his face yet shone
Majestic” ******

proposed that the question of Missouri’s admission be referred to a
committee consisting of twenty-three persons (a number equal to the
number of States then composing the Union), be appointed to act in
conjunction with a committee of the Senate to consider and report
whether Missouri should be admitted, etc.

±±51615

HISTORY OF MISSOURI,

The motion prevailed ; the committee was appointed and Mr. Clay
made its chairman. The Senate selected seven of its members to act
with the committee of twenty-trhree, and on the 26th of February the
following report was made by that committee : —

“ Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of. the
United States of America in Congress assembled : That Missouri shall
be admitted into the Union, on an equal footing with the original
States, in all respects whatever, upon the fundamental condition that
the fourth clause, of the twenty-sixth section of the third article of
the Constitution submitted on the part of said State to Congress, shall
never be construed to authorize the passage of any law, and that no
law shall be passed in conformity thereto, by which any citizen of
either of the States in this Union shall be excluded from the enjoy¬
ment of any of the privileges and immunities to which such citizen is
entitled, under the Constitution of the United States ; provided, That
the Legislature of said State, by a Solemn Public Act, shall declare
the assent of the said State, to the said fundamental condition, and
shall transmit to the President of the United States, on or before the
fourth Monday in November next, an authentic copy of the said act ;
upon the receipt whereof, the President, by proclamation, shall an¬
nounce the fact; whereupon, and without any further proceeding on
the part of Congress, the admission of the said State into the Union
shall be considered complete. ”

This resolution, after a brief debate, was adopted in the House, and
passed the Senate on the 28th of February, 1821.

At a special session of the Legislature held in St. Charles, in June
following, a Solemn Public Act was adopted, giving its assent to the
conditions of admission, as expressed in the resolution of Mr. Clay.
August 10th, 1821, President Monroe announced by proclamation the
admission of Missouri into the Union to be complete.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

CHAPTER YII.

MISSOURI AS A STATE.

First Election for Governor and other State Officers — Senators and Representatives to

General Assembly — Sheriffs and Coroners — U. S. Senators — Representatives in

Congress — Supreme Court Judges — Counties Organized — Capital Moved to St.

Charles — Official Record of Territorial and State Officers.

By the Constitution adopted by the Convention on the 19th of July,
1820, the General Assembly was required to meet in St. Louis on the
third Monday in September of that year, and an election was ordered
to be held on the 28th of August for the election of a Governor and
other State officers, Senators and Representatives to the General
Assembly, Sheriffs and Coroners, United States Senators and Repre¬
sentatives in Congress.

It will be seen that Missouri had not as yet been admitted as a
State, but in anticipation of that event, and according to the provi¬
sions of the constitution, the election was held, and the General As¬
sembly convened.

William Clark (who had been Governor of the Territory) and
Alexander McNair were the candidates for Governor. McNair re¬
ceived 6,576 votes, Clark 2,556, total vote of the State 9,132. There
were three candidates for Lieutenant-Governor, to wit : William H.
Ashley, Nathaniel Cook and Henry Elliot. Ashley received 3,907
votes, Cook 3,212, Elliot 931. A Representative was to be elected
for the residue of the Sixteenth Congress and one for the Seventeenth.
John Scott who was at the time Territorial delegate, was elected to
both Congresses without opposition.

The General Assembly elected in August met on the 19th of Sep¬
tember, 1820, and organized by electing James Caldwell, of Ste.
Genevieve, speaker, and John McArthur clerk; William H. Ashley,
Lieutenant-Governor, President of the Senate ; Silas Bent, President,
pro tem .

Mathias McGirk, John D. Cook, and John R. Jones were appointed
Supreme Judges, each to hold office until sixty-five years of age.

Joshua Barton was appointed Secretary of State ; Peter Didier,
State Treasurer ; Edward Bates, Attorney-General, and William
Christie, Auditor of Public Accounts.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

David Barton and Thomas H. Benton were elected by the General
Assembly to the United States Senate.

At this session of the Legislature the counties of Boone, Callaway,
Chariton, Cole, Gasconade, Lillard, Perry, Ralls, Ray and Saline
were organized.

We should like to give in details the meetings and proceedings of
the different Legislatures which followed ; the elections for Govern¬
ors and other State officers ; the elections for Congressmen and United
States Senators, but for want of space we can only present in a con¬
densed form the official record of the Territorial and State officers.

FFICIAL RECORD — TERRITORIAL OFFICERS.

Governors.

Frederick Bates, Secretary and William Clark . 1813-20

Acting-Governor .... 1812-13

OFFICERS OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

Governors.

Alexander McNair .

Frederick Bates .

Abraham J. Williams, vice

Bates .

John Miller, vice Bates . . .

John Miller .

Daniel Dunklin, (1832-36) re¬
signed ; appointed Surveyor
General of the U. S. Lilburn
W. Boggs, vice Dunklin . .

Lilburn W. Bogg9 .

Thomas Reynolds (died 1844), .

M. M. Marmaduke vice Rey¬
nolds — John C. Edwards .

Austin A. King . . . .

Sterling Price .

Trusten Polk (resigned) . . .

Hancock Jackson, vice Polk .

Robert M. Stewart, vice Polk .

C. F. Jackson (1860), office va¬
cated by ordinance; Hamil¬
ton R. Gamble, vice Jackson;

Gov. Gamble died 1864.

Willard P. Hall, vice Gamble .

Thomas C. Fletcher ....

Joseph W. McClurg ....

B. Gratz Brown .

Silas Woodson .

Charles H. Hardin .

John S. Phelps .

Thomas T. Crittenden (now
Governor) .

1820-24

1824-25

1825

1826-28

1828-32

1836

1836-40

1840-44

1844-48

1848-52

1852-56

1856- 57
1857

1857- 60

1864

1864-68

1868-70

1870-72

1872-74

1874-76

1876-80

1880

Lieutenant-Governors.

William H. Ashley .... 1820-24
Benjamin H. Reeves .... 1824-28

Daniel Dunklin . 1828-32

Lilburn W. Boggs . 1832-36

Franklin Cannon . 1836-40

M. M. Marmaduke . 1840-44

James Young . 1844-48

Thomas L Rice . 1848-52

Wilson Brown . 1852-55

Hancock Jackson . 1855-56

Thomas C. Reynolds .... 1860-61

Willard P. Hall . 1861-64

George Smith . 1864-68

Edwin O. Stanard . . . 1868-70

Joseph J. Gravelly . 1870-72

Charles P. Johnson .... 1872-74
Norman J. Coleman .... 1874-76
Henry C. Brockmeyer . . . 1876-80
Robert A. Campbell (present
incumbent) . 1880

Secretaries of State.

Joshua Barton . 1820-21

William G. Pettis . 1821-24

Hamilton R. Gamble .... 1824-26

Spencer Pettis . 1826-28

P. H. McBride . 1829-30

John C. Edwards (term expired
1835, reappointed 1837, re¬
signed 1837) . 1830-37

Peter G. Glover . 1837-39

James L. Minor . 1839-45

HISTORY OF MISSOURI

OFFICERS OF STATE GOVERNMENT — Continued.

F. H. Martin . 1845-49

Ephraim B. Ewing . . .. 1849-52

John M. Richardson .... 1852-66

Benjamin F. Massey (re-elected
1860, for four years) .... 1856-60

Mordecai Oliver . 1861-64

Francis Rodman (re-elected 1868

for two years) . 1864-68

Eugene F. Weigel, (re-elected

1872, for two years) .... 1870-72
Michael K. McGrath (present

incumbent) . 1874

State Treasurers.

Peter Didier . 1820-21

Nathaniel Simonds .... 1821-28

James Earickson . 1829-33

John Walker . 1833-38

Abraham McClellan .... 183S-43
Peter G. Glover . 1843-51

A. W. Morrison . 1851-60

George C. Bingham .... 1862-64

William Bishop . 1864^68

William Q. Dallmeyer . . . 1868-70

Samuel Hays . 1872

Harvey W. Salmon .... 1872—74

Joseph W. Mercer . 1874-76

Elijah Gates . 1876-80

Phillip E. Chappell (present in¬
cumbent) J . 1880

Attorney-Generals,

Edward Bates . 1820-21

Rufus Easton . . . 1821-26

Robt. W. Wells . 1826-36

William B. Nap ton .... 1836-39
S. M. Bay . 1839-45

B. F. Stringfellow . 1845-49

William A. Robards «... 1849-51
James B. Gardenhire .... 1851-56

Ephraim W. Ewing .... 1856-59

James P. Knott ...... 1859-61

Aikman Welch ...... 1861-64

Thomas T. Crittenden . . . 1864

Robert F. Wingate . 1864-68

Horace P. Johnson . 1868-70

A. J. Baker . 1870-72

Henry Clay Ewing . 1872-74

John A. Hockaday . 1874-76

Jackson L. Smith . 1876-80

D. H. Mclntire (present in¬
cumbent) . . . 1880

Auditors of Public Accounts.

William Christie . 1820-21

William Y. Rector .... 1821-23

Elias Barcroft . 1823-33

Henry Shurlds . 1833-35

Peter G. Glover . 1835-37

Hiram H. Baber . 1837-45

William Monroe . 1845

J. R. McDermon . 1845-48.

George W. Miller . . . ^ . 1848-49

Wilson Brown ...... 1849-52

William H. Buffington . . . 1852-60

William S. Moseley .... 1860-64

Alonzo Thompson . 1864-68

Daniel M. Draper . 1868-72

George B. Clark . 1872-74

Thomas Holladay . . . , . 187 -80

John Walker (present incum¬
bent) . 1880

Judges of Supreme Court.

Matthias McGirk . 1822-41

J ohn D. Cooke . 1822-23

John R. Jones . 1822-24

Rufus Pettibone . 1823-25

Geo. Tompkins . 1824-45

Robert Wash ...... 1825-37

John C. Edwards . 1837-39

Wm. Scott, (appointed 1841 till
meeting of General Assem¬
bly in place of McGirk, re¬

signed; reappointed . . . 1843

P. H. McBride . 1845

Wm. B. Napton . 1849-52

John F. Ryland . 1849-51

John H. Birch . 1849-51

Wm. Scott, John F. Ryland,
and Hamilton R. Gamble
(elected by the people, for six

years) . 1851

Gamble (resigned) . 1854

Abiel Leonard elected to fill va¬
cancy of Gamble.

Wm. B. Napton (vacated by
failure to file oath).

Wm. Scott and John C. Rich¬
ardson (resigned, elected Au¬
gust, for six years) .... 1857
E. B. Ewing, (to fill Richard¬
son’s resignation) .... 1859
Barton Bates (appointed) . . 1862

W. Y. N. Bay (appointed) . . 1862

HISTORY OF MISSOURI

OFFICERS OF state government — Continued .

John D. S. Dryden (appointed) 1862

Barton Bates . 1863-65

W. V. N. Bay (elected) . . • 1863
John D. S. Dryden (elected) . 1863
David Wagner (appointed) . . 1865
Wallace L. Lovelace (appoint¬
ed) . 1865

Nathaniel Holmes (appointed) 1865
Thomas J. C. Fagg (appointed) 1866
James Baker (appointed) • • 1868

David Wagner (elected) . . • 1868-70

Philemon Bliss . 1868-70

Warren Currier . 1868-71

Washington Adams (appointed
to fill Currier’s place, whore-

signed) . 1871

Ephraim B. Ewing (elected) . 1872
Thomas A. Sherwood (elected) 1872
W. B. Napton (appointed in
place of Ewing, deceased) . 1873
Edward A. Lewis (appointed,
in place of Adams, resigned) 1874
Warwick Hough (elected) . . 1874
William B. Napton (elected) . 1874-80

John W. Henry . 1876-86

Robert D. Ray succeeded Wm.

B. Napton in . 1880

Elijah H. Norton (appointed in

1876), elected . 1878

T. A. Sherwood (re-elected) 1882

United States Senators.

T. H. Benton . 1820-50

D. Barton . 1820-30

Alex. Buckner . 1830-33

L. F. Linn . 1833-43

D. R. Atchison . 1843-55

H. S. Geyer . 1851-57

James S. Green . 1857-61

T. Polk . 1857-63

Waldo P. Johnson . 1861

Robert Wilson . 1861

B. Gratz Brown (for unexpired
term of Johnson) .... 1863

J. B. Henderson . 1863-69

Charles D. Drake . 1867-70

Carl Schurz . 1869-75

D. F. Jewett (in place of Drake,

resigned) . 1870

F. P. Blair . 1871-77

L. V. Bogy . 1873

James Shields (elected for unex¬
pired term of Bogy) . . . 1879

D. H. Armstrong appointed for
unexpired term of Bogy.

F. M. Cockrell (re-elected 1881) 1875-81
George G. Vest . 1879

Representatives to Congress.

John Scott . 1820-26

Ed. Bates . 1826-28

Spencer Pettis . 1828-31

William H. Ashley .... 1831-36

John Bull . 1832-34

Albert G. Harrison . 1834-39

John Miller . 1836-42

John Jameson (re-elected 1846

for two years) . 1839-44

John C. Edwards . 1840-42

James M. Hughes . 1842-44

James H. Relfe . 1842-46

James B. Bowlin . 1842-50

Gustavus M. Bower .... 1842-44

Sterling Price . 1844—46

William McDaniel . 1846

Leonard H. Sims . 1844-46

John S. Phelps . 1844-60

James S. Green (re-elected

1856, resigned) . 1846-50

Willard P. Hall . 1846-53

William V. N. Bay .... 1848-61

John F. Darby . 1850-53

Gilchrist Porter . 1850-57

John G. Miller . 1850-56

Alfred W. Lamb . 1852-54

Thomas H. Benton . 1852-54

Mordecai Oliver . 1852-57

James J. Lindley . 1852-56

Samuel Caruthers . 1852-5S

Thomas P. Akers (to fill unex¬
pired term of J. G. Miller,

deceased) . 1855

Francis P. Blair, Jr. (re-elected

1860, resigned) . 1856

Thomas L. Anderson .... 1856-60

James Craig . 1856-60

Samuel H. Woodson .... 1856-60

John B. Clark, Sr . 1857-61

J. Richard Barrett . 1860

John W. Noel . 1858-63

James S. Rollins . 1860-64

Elijah H. Norton . 1860-63

John W. Reid . 1860-61

William A. Hall . 1862-64

Thomas L. Price (in place of
Reid, expelled) . 1862

HISTORY OF MISSOURI

officers of state government — Continued .

Henry T. Blow ....

1862-66

Aylett H. Buckner . . . » •

1872

Sempronius T. Boyd, (elected

Edward C. Kerr. . . . . •

1874-78

1862, and again in 1868,

for

Charles H. Morgan ....

1874

two years.)

John F. Philips .

1874

Joseph W. McClurg . .

•

1862-66

B. J. Franklin .

1874

Austin A. King ....

1862-64

1874

Benjamin F. Loan . . .

1862-69

1874

John G. Scott (in place of Noel,

Anthony Ittner .

1876

deceased) .

1863

Nathaniel Cole ......

1876

John Hogan ....

•

1864-66

Robert A. Hatcher ...<>•

1876-78

Thomas F. Noel. .

•

1864-67

R. P. Bland .

1876-78

John R. Kelsoe ....

•

1864-66

A. H. Buckner ......

1876-78

Robert T. Van Horn

•

1864-71

J. B. Clark, Jr .

1876-78

John F. Benjamin . . .

1864-71

T. T. Crittenden .....

1876-78

George W. Anderson . .

•

1864-69

1876-78

William A. Pile . . .

1866-68

John M. Glover .

1876-78

C. A. Newcomb . . .

1866-68

Robert A. Hatcher .....

1876-78

Joseph J. Gravelly. . .

1866-68

Chas. H. Morgan .....

1876-78

James R. McCormack

•

1866-73

1876-78

John H. Stover (in place

H. M. Pollard .

1876-78

McClurg, resigned) . .

•

1867

1876-78

Erastus Wells ....

1868-82

S. L. Sawyer .......

1878-80

G. A. Finklenburg . . .

•

1868-71

N. Ford .

1878-82

Samuel S. Burdett . . .

1868-71

G, F. Rothwell .

1878-82

Joel F. Asper ....

1868-70

JohnB. Clark, Jr .

1878-82

David P. Dyer ....

1868-70

W. H. Hatch .

1878-82

Harrison E. Havens . .

•

1870-75

A. H. Buckner .

1878-82

Isaac G. Parker ....

1870-75

M. L. Clardy . . .

1878-82

James G. Blair ....

1870-72

1878-82

Andrew King ....

1870-72

L. H. Davis

1878-82

Edwin 0. Stanard . . .

1872-74

R. P. Bland .

1878-82

William H. Stone . . .

1872-78

J. R. Waddell .

1878-80

Robert A. Hatcher (elected)

•

1872

1880-82

Richard B. Bland . . .

1872

R. Hazeltine . . •

1880-82

Thomas T. Crittenden .

•

1872-74

T. M. Rice .

1880-82

Ira B. Hyde .

1872-74

R. T. Van Horn . °

1880-82

John B. Clark, Jr. . • .

1872-78

1880-82

John M. Glover ....

1872

J. G. Burrows ......

1880-82

COUNTIES — WHEN ORGANIZED.

Adair . ...

Andrew . .

Atchison .

Audraiti .

Barry . . .

Barton . .

Bates..... . .

Benton. .

Bollinger .

Boone .

Buchanan .

Caldwell . December 26, 1836

Callaway . November 25, 1820

Camden . January 29, 1841

Cape Girardeau . October 1, 1812

Carroll . . . January 3, 1833

Carter . March 10, 1859

Cass . . September 14, 1835

Cedar . February 14, 1845

Chariton . November 16, 1820

Christian . March 8, 1860

Clark . December 16, 1818

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

counties, when organized — Continued.

Butler . February 27, 1849

Clay . .. . January 2, 1822

Clinton . January 16, 1833

Cole . November 16, 1820

Cooper . December 17, 1818

Crawford . .. . January 23, 1829

Dade . January 29, 1841

Dallas . December 10, 1844

Daviess . December 29, 1836

DeKalb . February 25, 1845

Dent . February 10, 1851

Douglas . October 19, 1857

I n i klin . February 14, 1845

Franklin . .....December 11, 1818

Gasconade . November 25, 1820

Gentry . February 12, 1841

Greene . Januar3T2, 1833

Grundy . J anuary 2, 1843

Harrison . . February 14, 1845

Henry . December 13, 1834

Hickory . February 14, 1845

Holt . February 15, 1841

Howard . January 23, 1816

Howell . March 2, 1857

Iron . February 17, 1857

Jackson . December 15, 1826

Jasper . January 29, 1841

Jefferson . December 8, 1818

Johnson . December 13, 1834

Hnox . .February 14, 1845

Laclede . February 24, 1849

Lafayette . November 16, 1820

Lawrence . February 25, 1845

Lewis . January 2, 1833

Lincoln . December 14, 1818

Linn . January 7, 1837

Livingston . -January 6, 1837

McDonald . March 3, 1849

Macon . January 6, 1837

Madison . December 14, 1818

Maries . March 2, 1855

Marion . December 23, 1826

Mercer . February 14, 1845

Miller . February 6, 1837

Mississippi . February 14, 1845

Moniteau . February 14, 1S45

Monroe .

Montgomery .

Morgan .

New Madrid .

Newton .

Nodaway .

Oregon .

Osage .

Ozark .

Pemiscot .

Perry .

Pettis .

Phelps .

Pike .

Platte .

Polk .

. March 13, 1835

Pulaski .

Putnam .

Ralls . .

Randolph .

Ray. . . .

Reynolds .

Ripley .

St. Charles .

St. Clair .

St. Francois .

Ste. Genevieve .

St. Louis .

Saline .

Schuyler .

Scotland .

Scott .

Shannon .

Shelby .

Stoddard .

Stone .

Sullivan .

Taney .

Texas .

Vernon .

Warren .

Washington .

Wayne .

Webster . .

Worth . . .

Wright .

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

CHAPTEE VIII.

CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI.

Fort Sumter fired upon — Call for 75,000 men — Gov. Jackson refuses to furnish a
man — U. S. Arsenal at Liberty, Mo., seized — Proclamation of Gov. Jackson r—
General Order No. 7 — Legislature convenes — Camp Jackson organized — Sterling
Price appointed Major-General — Frost’s letter to Lyon — Lyon’s letter to Frost —
Surrender of Camp Jackson — Proclamation of Gen. Harney — Conference between
Price and Harney — Harney superseded by Lyon — Second Conference — Gov. Jack¬
son burns the bridges behind him — Proclamation of Gov. Jackson — Gen. Blair
takes possession of Jefferson City — Proclamation of Lyon — Lyon at Springfield —
State offices declared vacant — Gen. Fremont assumes command — Proclamation of
Lieut.-Gov. Reynolds — Proclamation of Jeff. Thompson and Gov. Jackson — Death
of Gen. Lyon — Succeeded by Sturgis — Proclamation of McCulloch and Gamble —
Martial law declared — Second proclamation of Jeff. Thompson — President modi¬
fies Fremont’s order — Fremont relieved by Hunter — Proclamation of Price — Hun¬
ter’s Order of Assessment — Hunter declares Martial Law — Order relating to
Newspapers — Halleck succeeds Hunter — Halleck’s Order 81 — Similar order by
Halleck — Boone County Standard confiscated — Execution of prisoners at Macon
and Palmyra — Gen. Ewing’s Order No. 11 — Gen. Rosecrans takes command — Mas¬
sacre at Centralia — Death of Bill Anderson — Gen. Dodge succeeds Gen. Rose¬
crans — List of Battles.

il Lastly stood war —

With visage grim, stern looks, and blackly hued,
*******

Ah I why will kings forget that they are men?

And men that they are brethren? Why delight
In human sacrifice? Why burst the ties
Of nature, that should knit their souls together
In one soft bond of amity and love?”

Fort Sumter was fired upon April 12, 1861. On April 15th, Presi¬
dent Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 men, from the
the militia of the several States, to suppress combinations in the South¬
ern States therein named. Simultaneously therewith, the Secretary of
War sent a telegram to all the governors of the States, excepting
those mentioned in the proclamation, requesting them to detail a cer¬
tain number of militia to serve for three months, Missouri’s quota
being four regiments.

In response to this telegram, Gov. Jackson sent the following answer :

Executive Department of Missouri,
Jefferson City, April 17, 1861.

To the Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary o/> War , Washington , D.C.:
Sir: Your dispatch of the 15th inst., making a call on Missouri for

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

four regiments of men for immediate service, lias been received. There
can be, I apprehend, no doubt but these men are intended to form a
part of the President's army to make war upon the people of the
seceded States. Your requisition, in my judgment, is illegal, unconsti¬
tutional, and can not be complied with. Not one man will the State of
Missouri furnish to carry on such an unholy war.

C. F. Jackson,

Governor of Missouri .

April 21, 1861. U. S. Arsenal at Liberty was seized by order oi
Governor Jackson.

April 22, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation convening
the Legislature of Missouri, on May following, in extra session, to take
into consideration the momentous issues which were presented, and
the attitude to be assumed by the State in the impending struggle.

On the 22nd of April, 1861, the Adjutant-General of Missouri issued
the following military order :

Headquarters Adjutant-General's Office, Mo.,
Jefferson City, April 22, 1861.

( General Orders No. 7.)

I. To attain a greater degree of efficiency and perfection in organ¬
ization and discipline, the Commanding Officers of the several Military
districts in this State, having four or more legally organized compa¬
nies therein, whose armories are within fifteen miles of each other, will
assemble their respective commands at some place to be by them sever¬
ally designated, on the 3rd day of May, and to go into an encampment
for a period of six days, as provided by law. Captains of companies
not organized into battalions will report the strength of their compa¬
nies immediately to these headquarters, and await further orders.

II. The Quartermaster-General will procure and issue to Quarter¬
masters of Districts, for these commands not now provided for, all
necessary tents and camp equipage, to enable the commanding officers
thereof to carry the foregoing orders into effect.

III. The Light Battery now attached to the Southwest Battalion,
and one company of mounted riflemen, including all officers and sol¬
diers belonging to the First District, will proceed forthwith to St. Louis,
and ~eport to Gen. D. M. Frost for duty. The remaining companies
of said battalion will be disbanded for the purpose of assisting in the
organization of companies upon that frontier. The details in the exe-

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

cution of the foregoing are intrusted to Lieutenant-Colonel John S.

Bowen, commanding the Battalion.

IV. The strength, organization, and equipment of the several com-’
panies in the District will be reported at once to these Headquarters,
and District Inspectors will furnish all information which may be ser¬
viceable in ascertaining the condition of the State forces.

By order of the Governor.

Warwick Hough, _
Adjutant- General of Missouri .

May 2, 1861. The Legislature convened in extra session. Many
acts were passed, among which was one to authorize the Governor to
purchase or lease David Ballentine’s foundry at Boonville, for the man¬
ufacture of arms and munitions of war ; to authorize the Governor to
appoint one Major-General ; to authorize the Governor, when, in his
opinion, the security and welfare of the State required it, to take pos¬
session of the railroad and telegraph lines of the State ; to provide for
the organization, government, and support of the military forces ; to
borrow one million of dollars to arm and equip the militia of the State
to repel invasion, and protect the lives and property of the people.
An act was also passed creating a *« Military Fund,” to consist of all
the money then in the treasury or that might thereafter be received
from the one-tenth of one per cent, on the hundred dollars, levied by
act of November, 1857, to complete certain railroads ; also the pro¬
ceeds of a tax of fifteen cents on the hundred dollars of the assessed
value of the taxable property of the several counties in the State, and
the proceeds of the two-mill tax, which had been theretofore appro¬
priated for educational purposes.

May 3, 1861. “ Camp Jackson” was organized.

May 10, 1861.’ Sterling Price appointed Major-General of State
Guard.

May 10, 1861. General Frost, commanding “ Camp Jackson,” ad¬
dressed General N. Lyon, as follows: —

Headquarters Camp Jackson, Missouri Militia, May 10, 1861.
Capt. N. Lyon> Commanding U. 8, Troops in and about St. Louis
Arsenal:

Sir : I am constantly in receipt of information that you contem¬
plate an attack upon my camp, whilst I understand that you are im¬
pressed with the idea that an attack upon the Arsenal and United
States troops is intended on the part of the Militia of Missouri. I am

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

greatly at a loss to know what could justify you in attacking citizens
of the United States, who are in lawful performance of their duties,
devolving upon them under the Constitution in organizing and instruct¬
ing the militia of the State in obedience to her laws, and, therefore,

have been disposed to doubt the correctness of the information I have
received.

I would be glad to know from you personally whether there is any
truth in the statements that are constantly pouring into my ears. So
far as regards any hostility being intended toward the United States,
or its property cr representatives by any portion of my command, or,
as far as I can learn (and I think I am fully informed), of any other
part of the State forces, I can positively say that the idea has never
been entertained. On the contrary, prior to your taking command of
the Arsenal, I proffered to Major Bell, then in command of the very
few troops constituting its guard, the services of myself and all my
command, and, if necessary, the whole power of the State, to protect
the United States in the full possession of all her property. Upon
General Harney taking command of this department, I made the same
proffer of services to him, and authorized his Adjutant-General, Capt.
Williams, to communicate the fact that such had been done to the
War Department. I have had no occasion since to change any of the
views I entertained at the time, neither of my own volition nor through
orders of my constitutional commander.

I trust that after this explicit statement that we may be able, by
fully understanding each other, to keep far from our borders the mis¬
fortunes which so unhappily affect our common country.

This communication will be handed you by Colonel Bowen, my
Chief of Staff, who will be able to explain anything not fully set forth
in the foregoing.

I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant.

Brigadier-General D. M. Frost,
Commanding Camp Jackson , M. V ’. M,

May 10, 1861. Gen. Lyon sent the following to Gen. Frost:

Headquarters United States Troops,
St. Louis, Mo., May 10, 1861.

Gen. D. M. Frost, Commanding Camp Jackson:

Sir: Your command is regarded as evidently hostile toward the
Government of the United States.

It is, for the most part, made up of those Secessionists who have

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

openly avowed their hostility to the General Government, and have
been plotting at the seizure of its property and the overthrow of its
authority. You are openly in communication with the so-called
Southern Confederacy, which is now at war with the United States,
and you are receiving at your camp, from the said Confederacy and
under its flag, large supplies of the material of war, most of which is
known to be the property of the United States. These extraordinary
preparations plainly indicate none other than the well-known purpose
of the Governor of this State, under whose orders you are acting, and
whose communication to the Legislature has just been responded to
by that body in the most unparalleled legislation, having in direct
view hostilities to the General Government and co-operation with its
enemies.

In view of these considerations, and of your failure to disperse in
obedience to the proclamation of the President, and of the imminent
necessities of State policy and warfare, and the obligations imposed
upon me by instructions from Washington, it is my duty to demand,
and I do hereby demand of you an immediate surrender of your com¬
mand, with no other conditions than that all persons surrendering
under this command shall be humanely and kindly treated. Believing
myself prepared to enforce this demand, one-half hour’s time before
doing so will be allowed for your compliance therewith.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

N. Lyon,

Captain Second Infantry, Commanding Troops .

- , i

May 10, 1861. Camp Jackson surrendered and prisoners all
released excepting Capt. Emmet McDonald, who refused to subscribe
to the parole.

May 12, 1861. Brigadier-General Wm. S. Harney issued a procla¬
mation to the people of Missouri, saying “ he would carefully abstain
from the exercise of any unnecessary powers,” and only use “the
military force stationed in this district in the last resort to preserve
peace.” ^

May 14, 1861. General Harney issued a second proclamation.

May 21, 1861. General Harney held a conference with General
Sterling Price, of the Missouri State Guards.

May 31, 1861. General Harney superseded by General Lyon.

June 11, 1861. A second conference was held between the National
and State authorities in St. Louis, which resulted in nothing.

HSTORY OF MISSOURI.

June 11, 1861. Gov. Jackson left St. Louis for Jefferson City,
burning the railroad bridges behind him, and cutting telegraph wires.

June 12, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamatiou calling
into active service 50,000 militia, “to repel invasion, protect life,
property, ” etc.

June 15, 1861. Col. F. P. Blair took possession of the State Capi¬
tal, Gov. Jackson, Gen. Price and other officers having left on the 13th
of June for Boonville.

June 17, 1861. Battle of Boonville took place between the forces
of Gen. Lyon and Col. John S'. Marmaduke.

June 18, 1861. General Lyon issued a proclamation to the people
of Missouri.

July 5, 1861. Battle at Carthage between the forces of Gen. Sigel
and Gov. Jackson.

July 6, 1861. Gen. Lyon reached Springfield.

July 22, 1861. State convention met and declared the offices of
Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and Secretary of State vacated.

July 26, 1861. Gen. John C. Fremont assumed command of the
Western Department, with headquarters in St. Louis.

July 31, 1861. Lieutenant-Governor Thomas C. Reynolds issued
a proclamation at New Madrid.

August 1, 1861. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation at
Bloomfield.

August 2, 1861. Battle of Dug Springs, between Captain Steele's
forces and General Rains.

August 5, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation at New
Madrid.

August 5, 1861. Battle of Athens.

August 10, 1861. Battle of Wilson’s Creek, between the forces
under General Lyon and General McCulloch. In this engagement
General Lyon was killed. General Sturgis succeeded General Lyon.

August 12, 1861. McCulloch issued a proclamation, and soon left
Missouri.

August 20, 1861. General Price issued a proclamation.

August 24, 1861. Governor Gamble issued a proclamation calling
for 32,000 men for six months to protect the property and lives of the
citizens of the State.

August 30, 1861. General Fremont declared martial law, and
declared that the slaves of all persons who should thereafter take an
active part with the enemies of the Government should be free.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

September 2, 1861. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation
in response to Fremont’s proclamation.

September 7, 1861. Battle at Dry wood Creek.

September 11, 1861. President Lincoln modified the clause in Gen.
Fremont’s declaration of martial law, in reference to the confiscation
of property and liberation of slaves.

September 12, 1861. General Price begins the attack at Lexing¬
ton on Colonel Mulligan’s forces.

September 20, 1861. Colonel Mulligan with 2,640 men surren¬
dered.

October 25, 1861. Second battle at Springfield.

October 28, 1861. Passage by Governor Jackson’s Legislature,
at Neosho, of an ordinance of secession.

November 2, 1861. General Fremont succeeded by General David
Hunter.

November 7, 1861. General Grant attacked Belmont.

November 9, 1861. General Hunter succeeded by General Halleck,
who took command on the 19th of same month, with headquarters in
St. Louis.

November 27, 1861. General Price issued proclamation calling for
50,000 men, at Neosho, Missouri.

December 12, 1861. General Hunter issued his order of assess- •
ment upon certain wealthy citizens in St. Louis, for feeding and cloth¬
ing Union refugees.

December 23-25. Declared martial law in St. Louis and the
country adjacent, and covering all the railroad lines

March 6, 1862. Battle at Pea Ridge between the forces under Gen¬
erals Curtis and Van Dorn.

January 8, 1862. Provost Marshal Farrar, of St. Louis, issued the
following order in reference to newspapers :

Office of the Proyost Marshal,

General Department of Missouri,

St. Louis, January 8, 1862.

(General Order No. 10.)

It is hereby ordered that from and after this date the publishers of
newspapers in the State of Missouri (St. Louis City papers excepted),
furnish to this office, immediately upon publication, one copy of each
issue, for inspection. A failure to comply with this order will render
the newspaper liable to suppression.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

Local Provost Marshals will furnish the proprietors with copies of
this order, and attend to its immediate enforcement.

Bernard G. Farrar,
Provost Marshal General.

January 26, 1862. General Halleck issued order (No. 18) which
forbade, among other things, the display of Secession flags in the
hands of women or on carriages, in the vicinity of the military prison
in McDowell’s College, the carriages to be confiscated and the 'offend¬
ing women to be arrested.

February 4, 1862. General Halleck issued another order similar to
Order No. 18, to railroad companies and to the professors and direct¬
ors of the State University at Columbia, forbidding the funds of the
institution to be used “ to teach treason or to instruct traitors.’ ’

February 20, 1862. Special Order No. 120 convened a military
commission, which sat in Columbia, March following, and tried Ed¬
mund J. Ellis, of Columbia, editor and proprietor of “ The Boone
County Standard ,” for the publication of information for the benefit
of the enemy, and encouraging resistance to the United States Gov¬
ernment. Ellis was found guilty, was banished during the war from
Missouri, and his printing materials confiscated and sold.

April, 1862. General Halleck left for Corinth, Mississippi, leaving
General Schofield in command.

June, 1862. Battle at Cherry Grove between the forces under
Colonel Joseph C. Porter and Colonel H. S. Lipscomb.

June, 1862. Battle at Pierce’s Mill between^ forces under Major
John Y. Clopper and Colonel Porter.

July 22, 1862. Battle at Florida.

July 28, 1862. Battle at Moore’s Mill.

August 6, 1862. Battle near Kirksville.

August 11, 1862. Battle at Independence.

August 16, 1862. Battle at Lone Jack.

September 13, 1862. Battle at Newtonia.

September 25, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners were executed at
Macon, by order of General Merrill.

October 18, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners executed at Palmyra,
by order of General McNeill.

January 8, 1863. Battle at Springfield between the forces of Gen¬
eral Marmaduke and General E. B. Brown.

April 26, 1863. Battle at Cape Girardeau.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

August , 1863. General Jeff. Thompson captured at Pocahontas,
Arkansas, with his staff.

August 25, 1863. General Thomas Ewing issued his celebrated
Order No. 11, at Kansas City, Missouri, which is as follows: —

Headquarters District of the Border, )
Kansas City, Mo., August 25, 1863. >

(General Order No. 11.)

First . — All persons living in Cass, Jackson and Bates Counties,
Missouri, and in that part of Yernon included in this district, except
those living within one mile of the limits of Independence, Hickman’s
Mills, Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville, and except those in that part
of Kaw Township, Jackson County, north of Brush Creek and west
of the Big Blue, embracing Kansas City and Westport, are hereby
ordered to remove from their present places of residence within fifteen
days from the date hereof.

Those who, within that time, establish their loyalty to the satisfac¬
tion of the commanding officer of the military station nearest their
present place of residence, will receive from him certificates stating
the fact of their loyalty, and the names of the witnesses by whom it
can be shown. All who receive such certificate will be permitted to
remove to any military station in this district, or to any part of the
State of Kansas, except the counties on the eastern borders of the
State. All others shall remove out of this district. Officers com¬
manding companies and detachments serving in the counties named,
will see that this paragraph is promptly obeyed.

Second. — All grain and hay in the field, or under shelter, in the
district from which the inhabitants are required to remove within reach
of military stations, after the 9th day of September next, will be
taken to such stations and turned over to the proper officer there, and
report of the amount so turned over made to district headquarters,
specifying the names of all loyal owners and the amount of such
produce taken from them. All grain and hay found in such district
after the 9th day of September next, not convenient to such stations,
will be destroyed.

Third. — The provisions of General Order No. 10, from these
headquarters, will at once be vigorously executed by officers com¬
manding in the parts of the district, and at the stations not subject to
the operations of paragraph First of this Order — and especially in
the towns of Independence. Westport and Kansas City.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

Fourth. — Paragraph 3, General Order No. 10, is revoked as to all
who have borne arms against the Government in the district since
August 20, 1863.

By order of Brigadier-General Ewing :

H. Hannahs, Adjutant .

October 13. Battle of Marshall.

January, 1864. General Rosecrans takes command of the Depart¬
ment.

September, 1864. Battle at Pilot Knob, Harrison and Little Mo¬
reau River.

October 5, 1864. Battle at Prince’s Ford and James Gordon’s
farm.

October 8, 1864. Battle at Glasgow.

October 20, 1864. Battle at Little Blue Creek.

September 27, 1864. Massacre at Centralia, by Captain Bill An¬
derson.

October 27, 1864. Captain Bill Anderson killed.

December — , 1864. General Rosecrans relieved and General
Dodge appointed to succeed him.

Nothing occurred specially, of a military character, in the State after
December, 1864. We have, in the main, given the facts as they
occurred without comment or entering into details. Many of the
minor incidents and skirmishes of the war have been omitted because
of our limited space.

It is utterly impossible, at this date, to give the names and dates of
all the battles fought in Missouri during the Civil War. It will be
found, however, that the list given below, which has been arranged for
convenience, contains the prominent battles and skirmishes which took
place within the State : —

Potosi, May 14, 18G1.

Boonville, June 17, 1861.

Carthage, July 5, 1861.

Monroe Station, July 10, 1861.
Overton’s Run, July 17, 1861.

Dug Spring, August 2, 1861.
Wilson’s Creek, August 10, 1861.
Athens, August 5, 1861.

Moreton, August 20, 1861.

Bennett’s Mills, September — , 1861.
Drywood Creek, September 7, 1861.
Norfolk, September 10, 1861.
Lexington, September 12-20, 1861.

Blue Mills Landing, September 17, 1861.
Glasgow Mistake, September 20, 1861.
Osceola, September 25, 1861.

Shanghai, October 13, 1861.

Lebanon, October 13, 1861.

Linn Creek, October 16, 1861.

Big River Bridge, October 15, 1861.
Fredericktown, October 21, 1861.
Springfield, October 25, 1861
Belmont, November 7, 1861.

Piketon, November 8, 1861.

Little Blue, November 10, 1861.

Clark’s Station, November 11, 1861.

HISTORY OH MISSOURI.

Mt. Zion Church, December 28, 1861.
Silver Creek, January 15, 1862.

New Madrid, February 28, 1862.

Pea Ridge, March 6, 1862.

Neosho, April 22, 1862.

Rose Hill, July 10, 1862.

Chariton River, July 30, 1862.

Cherry Grove, June — , 1862.
Pierce’s Mill, June — , 1862.

Florida, July 22, 1862.

Moore’s Mill, July 28, 1862.
Kirksville, August 6, 1862.

Compton’s Ferry, August 8, 1862.
Yellow Creek, August 13, 1862.
Independence, August 11, 1862.

Lone Jack, August 16, 1862.
Newtonia, September 13, 1862.
Springfield, January 8, 1863.

Cape Girardeau, April 29, 1863.
Marshall, October 13, 1863.

Pilot Knob, September — , 1864.
Harrison, September — , 1864.
Moreau River, October 7, 1864.
Prince’s Ford, October 5, 1864.
Glasgow, October 8, 1864.

Little Blue Creek, October 20, 1864.
Albany, October 27, 1864.

Near Rocheport, September 23, 1864.
Centralia, September 27, 1864.

CHAPTER IX.

EARLY MILITARY RECORD.

Black Hawk War — Mormon Difficulties — Florida War — Mexican War.

On the fourteenth day of May, 1832, a bloody engagement took
place between the regular forces of the United States, and a part of
the Sacs, Foxes, and Winnebago Indians, commanded by Black
Hawk and Keokuk, near Dixons Ferry in Illinois.

The Governor (John Miller) of Missouri, fearing these savages
would invade the soil of his State, ordered Major-General Richard
Gentry to raise one thousand volunteers for the defence of the fron¬
tier. Five companies were at once raised in Boone county, and in
Callaway, Montgomery, St. Charles, Lincoln, Pike, Marion, Ralls,
Clay and Monroe other companies were raised.

Two of these companies, commanded respectively by Captain John
Jamison of Callaway, and Captain David M. Hickman of Boone
county, were mustered into service in July for thirty days, and put
under command of Major Thomas W. Conyers.

This detachment, accompanied by General Gentry, arrived at Fort
Pike on the 15th of July, 1832. Finding that the Indians had not
crossed the Mississippi into Missouri, General Gentry returned to
Columbia, leaving the fort in charge of Major Conyers. Thirty days
having expired, the command under Major Conyers was relieved by two

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

other companies under Captains Sinclair Kirtley, of Boone, and Patrick
Ewing, of Callaway. This detachment was marched to Fort Pike by
Col. Austin A. King, who conducted the two companies under Major
Conyers home. Major Conyers was left in charge of the fort, where
he remained till September following, at which time the Indian troub¬
les, so far as Missouri was concerned, having all subsided, the frontier
forces were mustered out of service.

Black Hawk continued the war in Iowa and Illinois, and was finally
defeated and captured in 1833.

^ %

MORMON DIFFICULTIES.

» ' t

In 1832, Joseph Smith, the leader of the Mormons, and the chosen
prophet and apostle, as he claimed, of the Most High, came with
many followers to Jackson county, Missouri, where they located and
entered several thousand acres of land.

The object of his coming so far West — upon the very outskiits of
civilization at that time — was to more securely establish his church,
and the more effectively to instruct his followers in its peculiar tenets
. and practices.

Upon the present town site of Independence the Mormons located
their “Zion,” and gave it the name of “The New Jerusalem. 99
They published here the Evening Star, and made themselves gener¬
ally obnoxious to the Gentiles, who were then in a minority, by their
denunciatory articles through their paper, their clannishness and their
polygamous practices.

Dreading the demoralizing influence of a paper which seemed to be
inspired only with hatred and malice toward them, the Gentiles
threw the press and type into the Missouri River, tarred and feathered
one of their bishops, and otherwise gave the Mormons and their lead¬
ers to understand that they must conduct themselves in an entirely
different manner if they wished to be let alone.

After the destruction of their paper and press, they became fu¬
riously incensed, and sought many opportunities for retaliation. Mat¬
ters continued in an uncertain condition until the 31st of October,
1833, when a deadly conflict occurred near Westport, in which two
Gentiles and one Mormon were killed.

On the 2d of October following the Mormons were overpowered,
and compelled to lay down their arms and agree to leave the county
with their families by January 1st on the condition that the owner
would be paid for his printing press.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

Leaving Jackson county, they crossed the Missouri and located in
Clay, Carroll, Caldwell and other counties, and selected in Caldwell
county a town site, which they called “ Far West,” and where they
entered more land for their future homes.

Through the influence of their missionaries, who were exerting
themselves in the East and in different portions of Europe, converts
had constantly flocked to their standard, and “ Far West,” and other
Mormon settlements, rapidly prospered.

In 1837 they commenced the erection ot a magnificent temple, but
never finished it. As their settlements increased in numbers, they
became bolder in their practices and deeds of lawlessness.

During the summer of 1838 two of their leaders settled in the town
of De Witt, on the Missouri River, having purchased the land from
an Illinois merchant. De Witt was in Carroll county, and a good
point from which to forward goods and immigrants to their town —
Far West.

Upon its being ascertained that these parties were Mormon leaders,
the Gentiles called a public meeting, which was addressed by some of
the prominent citizens of the county. Nothing, however, was done at
this meeting, but at a subsequent meeting, which was held a few days
afterward, a committee of citizens was appointed to notify Col. Hin¬
kle (one of the Mormon leaders at De Witt), what they intended to
do.

Col. Hinkle upon being notified by this committee became indig¬
nant, and threatened extermination to all who should attempt to molest
him or the Saints.

In anticipation of trouble, and believing that the Gentiles would
attempt to force them from De Witt, Mormon recruits flocked to the
town from every direction, and pitched their tents in and around the
town in great numbers.

The Gentiles, nothing daunted, planned an attack upon this en¬
campment, to take place on the 21st day of September, 1838, and,
accordingly, one hundred and fifty men bivouacked near the town on
that day. A conflict ensued, but nothing serious occurred.

The Mormons evacuated their works and fled to some log houses,
where they could the more successfully resist the Gentiles, who had
in the meantime returned to their camp to await reinforcements.
Troops from Saline, Ray and other counties came to their assist¬
ance, and increased their number to five hundred men.

Congreve Jackson was chosen Brigadier- General ; Ebenezer Price,

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

Colonel ; Singleton Vaughan, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Sarshel Woods,
Major. After some days of discipline, this brigade prepared for an
assault, but before the attack was commenced Judge James Earickson
and William F. Dunnica, influential citizens of Howard county, asked
permission of General Jackson to let them try and adjust the difficul¬
ties without any bloodshed.

It was finally agreed that Judge Earickson should propose to the
Mormons, that if they would pay for all the cattle they had killed be-
longingto the citizens, and load their wagons during the night and be
ready to move by ten o’clock next morning, and make no further
attempt to settle in Carroll county, the citizens would purchase at
first cost their lots in De Witt and one or two adjoining tracts of
land.

Col. Hinkle, the leader of the Mormons, at first refused all attempts
to settle the difficulties in this way, but finally agreed to the proposi¬
tion.

In accordance therewith, the Mormons without further delay,
loaded up their wagons for the town of Far West, in Caldwell county.
Whether the terms of the agreement were ever carried out, on the
part of the citizens, is not known.

The Mormons had doubtless suffered much and in many ways — the
result of their own acts — but their trials and sufferings were not at
an end.

In 1838 the discord between the citizens and Mormons became so
great that Governor Boggs issued a proclamation ordering Major-
General David B. Atchison to call the militia of his division to enforce
the laws. He called out a part of the first brigade of the Missouri
State Militia, under command of Gen. A. W. Doniphan, who pro¬
ceeded to the seat of war. Gen. John B. Clark, of Howard county,
was placed in command of the militia.

The Mormon forces numbered about 1,000 men, and were led by
G. W. Hinkle. The first engagement occurred at Crooked river,
where one Mormon was killed. The principal fight took place at
Haughn’s Mills, where eighteen Mormons were killed and the balance
captured, some of them being killed after they had surrendered.
Only one militiaman was wounded.

In the month of October, 1838, Joe Smith surrendered the town of
Far West to Gen. Doniphan, agreeing to his conditions, viz. : That
they should deliver up their arms, surrender their prominent leaders
for trial, and the remainder of the Mormons should, with their

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

families, leave the State. Indictments were found against a number
of these leaders, including Joe Smith, who, while being taken to
Boone county for trial, made his escape, and was afterward, in 1844,
killed at Carthage, Illinois, with his brother Hiraui.

FLORIDA WAR.

In September, 1837, the Secretary of War issued a requisition on
Governor Boggs, of Missouri, for six hundred volunteers for service
in Florida against the Seminole Indians, with whom the Creek nation
had made common cause under Osceola.

The first regiment was chiefly raised in Boone county by Colonel
Richard Gentry, of which he was elected Colonel; John W. Price, of
Howard county, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Harrison H. Hughes, also of
Howard, Major. Four companies of the second regiment were raised
and attached to the first. Two of these companies were composed of
Delaware and Osasre Indians.

October 6, 1837, Col. Gentry’s regiment left Columbia for the seat
of war, stopping on the way at Jefferson barracks, where they were
mustered into service.

Arriving at Jackson barracks, New Orleans, they were from thence
transported in brigs across the Gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. Gen¬
eral Zachary Taylor, who then commanded in Florida, ordered Col.
Gentry to march to Okee-cho-bee Lake, one hundred and thirty-five
miles inland by the route traveled. Having reached the Kissemmee
river, seventy miles distant, a bloody battle ensued, in which Col.
Gentry was killed. The Missourians, though losing their gallant
leader, continued the fight until the Indians were totally routed, leav¬
ing many of their dead and wounded on the field. There being no
further service required of the Missourians, they returned to their
homes in 1838.

MEXICAN WAR.

Soon after Mexico declared war, against the United States, on the
3th and 9th of May, 1846, the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma were fought. Great excitement prevailed throughout the
country. In none of her sister States, however, did the fires of
patriotism burn more intensely than in Missouri. Not waiting for the
call for volunteers, the “ St. Louis Legion 99 hastened to the field of
conflict. The “ Legion” was commanded by Colonel A. R. Easton.
During the month of May, 1846, Governor Edwards, of Missouri,

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

called for volunteers to join the “Army of the West,” an expedition
to Sante Fe — under command of General Stephen W. Kearney.

Fort Leavenworth was the appointed rendezvous for the volunteers.
By the 18th of June, the full complement of companies to compose
the first regiment had arrived from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Sa¬
line, Franklin, Cole, Howard and Callaway counties. Of this regi¬
ment, A. W. Doniphan was made Colonel ; C. F. Ruff, Lieutenant-
Colonel, and Wm. Gilpin, Major. The battalion of light artillery
from St. Louis was commanded by Captains R. A. Weightman and
A. W. Fischer, with Major M. L. Clark as field officer; battalions of
infantry from Platte and Cole counties commanded by Captains
Murphy and W. Z. Augney respectively, and the “ Laclede Rangers,”
from St. Louis, by Captain Thomas B. Hudson, aggregating all told,
from Missouri, 1,658 men. In the summer of 1846 Hon. Sterling
Price resigned his seat in Congress and raised one mounted regiment,
one mounted extra battalion, and one extra battalion of Mormon in¬
fantry to reinforce the “Army of the West.” Mr. Price was made
Colonel, and D. D. Mitchell Lieutenant-Colonel.

In August, 1847, Governor Edwards made another requisition for
one thousand men, to consist of infantry. The regiment was raised
at once. John Dougherty, of Clay county, was chosen Colonel, but
before the regiment marched the President countermanded the order.

A company of mounted volunteers was raised in Ralls county, com¬
manded by Captain Wm. T. Lafland. Conspicuous among the en¬
gagements in which the Missouri volunteers participated in Mexico
were the battles of Bracito, Sacramento, Canada, El Embudo, Taos
and Santa Cruz de Rosales. The forces from Missouri were mustered
out in 1848, and will ever be remembered in the history of the Mexi¬
can war, for

4,A thousand glorious actions that might claim
Triumphant laurels and immortal lame.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

CHAPTER X.

AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH.

Missouri as an Agricultural State — The Different Crops — Live Stock — Horses —
Mules — Milch Cows — Oxen and other Cattle — Sheep — Hogs — Comparisons —
Missouri adapted to Live Stock — Cotton — Broom-Corn and other Products —
Fruits — Berries — Grapes — Railroads — First Neigh of the ** Iron Horse ” in Mis¬
souri — Names of Railroads — Manufactures — Great Bridge at St. Louis.

Agriculture is the greatest among all the arts of man, as it is the
first in supplying his necessities. It favors and strengthens popula¬
tion ; it creates and maintains manufactures ; gives employment to
navigation and furnishes materials to commerce. It animates every
species of industry, and opens to nations the safest channels of
wealth. It is the strongest bond of well regulated society, the surest
basis of internal peace, and the natural associate of correct morals.
Among all the occupations and professions of life, there is none more
honorable, none more independent, and none more conducive to health
and happiness.

“ In ancient times the sacred plow employ’d
The kings, and awful fathers of mankind ;

And some, with whom compared your insect tribes
Are but the beings of a summer’s day.

Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm
Of mighty war with unwearied hand,

Disdaining little delicacies, seized
The plow and greatly independent lived.”

As an agricultural region, Missouri is not surpassed by any State in
the Union. It is indeed the farmer’s kingdom, where he always reaps
an abundant harvest. The soil, in many portions of the State, has
an open, flexible structure, quickly absorbs the most excessive rains,
and retains moisture with great tenacity. This being the case, it is
not so easily affected by drouth. The prairies are covered with sweet,
luxuriant grass, equally good for grazing and hay ; grass not sur¬
passed by the Kentucky blue grass — the best of clover and timothy
in growing and fattening cattle. This grass is now as full of life-giv¬
ing nutriment as it was when cropped by the buffalo, the elk, the an¬
telope, and the deer, and costs the herdsman nothing.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

No State or territory has a more complete and rapid system of nat¬
ural drainage, or a more abundant supply of pure, fresh water than
Missouri. Both man and beast may slake their thirst from a thousand
perennial fountains, which gush in limpid streams from the hill-sides,
and wend their way through verdant valleys and along smiling prai¬
ries, varying in size, as they onward flow, from the diminutive brooklet
to the giant river.

Here, nature has generously bestowed her attractions of climate,
soil and scenery to please and gratify man while earning his bread in
the sweat of his brow. Being thus munificently endowed, Missouri
offers superior inducements to the farmer, and bids him enter her
broad domain and avail himself of her varied resources.

We present here a table showing the product of each principal crop
in Missouri for 1878 : —

Indian Corn . 93,062,000 bushels.

Wheat . . 20,196,000 “

Rye . 732,000 u

Oats . 19,584,000 “

Buckwheat . 46,400 “

Potatoes . ; . 5,415,000 41

Tobacco . 23,023,000 pounds.

Hay . 1,620,000 tons. :rq

There were 3,552,000 acres in corn; wheat, 1,836,000; r
48,800; oats, 640,000; buckwheat, 2,900; potatoes, 72,200; oo-
bacco, 29,900; hay, 850,000. Value of each crop: corn, $24,196,-
224; wheat, $13,531,320; rye, $300,120; oats, $3,325,120; buck¬
wheat, $24,128 ; potatoes, $2,057,700; tobacco, $1,151,150; hay,
$10,416,600.

Average cash value of crops per acre, $7.69 ; average yield of corn
per acre, 26 bushels; wheat, 11 bushels.

Next in importance to the corn crop in value is live stock. The fol¬
lowing table shows the number of horses, mules, and milch cows in
the different States for 1879 *

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

States.

Maine .

New Hampshire .

Vermont .

Massachusetts .

Rhode Island .

Connecticut .

New York .

New Jersey .

Pennsylvania .

Delaware.. .

Maryland .

Virginia .

North Carolina .

South Carolina .

Georgia .

Ple.ida .

Alabama .

Mississippi .

Louisiana .

Texas .

Arkansas .

Tennessee .

West Virginia .

Kentucky .

Ohio .

Michigan....* .

-ana . .

ois .

.onsin .

esota .

-ouri .

\as .

N el raska .

California .

Oregon .

Nevada, Colorado, and Territories

Horses.

Mules.

Milch

Cows.

81,700

196,100

67,100

98,100

77,400

217,800

131,000

160,700

16,200

22,000

63,500

116,500

898,900

11,800

1,446,200

114,500

14,400

152,200

614,500

24,900

828,400

19,900

4,000

2$ 200

108,600

11,300

100,500

208,700

30,600

236,200

144,200

74,000

232,300

59,600

61,500

131,300

119,200

97,200

273,100

22,400

11,900

70,000

112,800

111,700

215,200

97,200

100,000

188,000

79,300

80,700

110,900

618,000

180,200

644,500

180,500

89,300

187,700

323,700

99,700

245,700

122,200

2,400

130,500

386,900

117,800

257,200

772,700

26,700

714,100

333,800

4,300

416,900

688,800

61,200

439,200

1,100,000

138,000

702,400

384,400

8,700

477,300

247,300

7,000

278,900

770,700

43,400

676,200

627,300

-7191,900

616,200

275,000

50,000

321,900

157,200

13,600

127,600

273,000

25,700

495,600

109,700

3,500

112,400

250,000

25,700

423,600

It will be seen from the above table, that Missouri is the fifth State
in the number of horses ; fifth in number of milch cows, and the
leading State in number of mules, having 11,700 more than Texas,
which produces the next largest number. Of oxen and other cattle,
Missouri produced in 1879, 1,632,000, which was more than any other
State produced excepting Texas, which had 4,800,00. In 1879 Mis¬
souri raised 2,817,600 hogs, which was more than any other State
produced, excepting Iowa. The number of sheep was 1,296,400.
The number of hogs packed in 1879, by the different States, is as
follows : —

States.

No.

Ohio .

932,878

622,321

3,214,896

569,763

Indiana.... .

Illinois .

Iowa. . . .

States.

No.

Missouri .

965,839

472,108

212,412

Wisconsin .

Kentucky . .

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

AVERAGE WEIGHT PER HEAD FOR EACH STATE.

States.

Pounds.

States.

Pounds.

Ohio .

210.47

193.80

225.71

211.98

Missouri .

211.32

220.81

210.11

Indiana .

"Wisconsin .

Illinois .

K ontnoW .

Iowa .

From the above it will be seen that Missouri annually packs more
hogs than any other State excepting Illinois, and that she ranks third
in the average weight.

We see no reason why Missouri should not be the foremost stock-
raising State of the Union. In addition to the enormous yield of
corn and oats upon which the stock is largely dependent, the climate
is well adapted to their growth and health. Water is not only inex¬
haustible, but everywhere convenient. The ranges of stock are
boundless, affording for nine months of the year, excellent pasturage
of nutritious wild grasses, which grow in great luxuriance upon the
thousand prairies.

Cotton is grown successfully in many couuties of the southeastern
portions of the State, especially in Stoddard, Scott, Pemiscot, Butler,
New Madrid, Lawrence and Mississippi.

Sweet potatoes are produced in abundance and are not only sure
but profitable.

Broom corn, sorghum, castor beans, white beans, peas, hops, thrive
well, and all kinds of garden vegetables, are produced in great abun¬
dance and are found in the markets during all seasons of the year.
Fruits of every variety, including the apple, pear, peach, cherries,
apricots and nectarines, are cultivated with great success, as are also,
the strawberry, gooseberry, currant, raspberry and blackberry.

The grape has not been produced with that success that was at first
anticipated, yet the yield of wine for the year 1879, was nearly half a
million gallons. Grapes do well in Kansas, and we see no reason
why they should not be as surely and profitably grown in a similar
climate and soil in Missouri, and particularly in many of the counties
north and east of the Missouri River.

RAILROADS.

Twenty-nine years ago, the neigh of the “ iron horse 99 was heard
for the first time, within the broad domain of Missouri. His coming
presaged the dawn of a brighter and grander era in the history of the

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

State. Her fertile prairies, and more prolific valleys would soon be
of easy access to the oncoming tide of immigration, and the ores and
minerals of her hills and mountains would be developed, and utilized
in her manufacturing and industrial enterprises.

Additional facilities would be opened to the marts of trade and
commerce ; transportation from the interior of the State would be se¬
cured ; a fresh impetus would be given to the growth of her towns
and cities, and new hopes and inspirations would be imparted to all
her people.

Since 1852, the initial period of railroad building in Missouri, be¬
tween four and five thousand miles of track have been laid ; addi¬
tional roads are now being constructed, and many others in contem¬
plation. The State is already well supplied with railroads which
thread her surface in all directions, bringing her remotest districts
into close connection with St. Louis, that great center of western
railroads and inland commerce. These roads have a capital stock ag¬
gregating more than one hundred millions of dollars, and a funded
debt of about the same amount.

The lines of roads which are operated in the State are the follow¬
ing:—

Missouri Pacific — chartered May 10th, 1850 ; The St. Louis, Iron
Mountain & Southern Railroad, which is a consolidation of the Arkan¬
sas Branch ; The Cairo, Arkansas & Texas Railroad ; The Cairo &
Fulton Railroad; The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway; St.
Louis & San Francisco Railway ; The Chicago, Alton & St. Louis
Railroad ; The Hannibal &> St. Joseph Railroad ; The Missouri, Kan¬
sas & Texas Railroad ; The Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs
Railroad ; The Keokuk & Kansas City Railway Company ; The St.
Louis, Salem & Little Rock Railroad Company ; The Missouri &
Western ; The St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern Railroad ; The St.
Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk Railroad ; The Missouri, Iowa & Nebraska
Railway ; The Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad ; The Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific Railway ; The Burlington & Southwestern
Railroad.

MANUFACTURES.

The natural resources of Missouri especially fit her for a great man¬
ufacturing State. She is rich in soil ; rich in all the elements which
supply the furnace, the machine shop and the planing mill ; rich in
the multitude and variety of her gigantic forests ; rich in her marble,
stone and granite quarries ; rich in her mines of iron, coal, lead and

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

zinc ; rich in strong arms and willing hands to apply the force ; rich
in water power and river navigation ; and rich in her numerous and
well-built railroads, wThose numberless engines thunder along their
multiplied track-ways.

Missouri contains over fourteen thousand manufacturing establish¬
ments, 1,965 of which are using steam and give employment to
80,000 hands. The capital employed is about $100,000,000, the
material annually used and worked up, amounts to over $150,000,-
000, and the value of the products put upon the markets $250,000,000,
while the wages paid are more than $40,000,000.

The leading manufacturing counties of the State, are St. Louis,
Jackson, Buchanan, St. Charles, Marion, Franklin, Greene, Lafay¬
ette, Platte, Cape Girardeau, and Boone. Three-fourths, however, of
the manufacturing is done in St. Louis, which is now about the second
manufacturing city in the Union. Flouring mills produce annually
about $38,194,000 ; carpentering $18,763,000 ; meat-packing $16,-
769,000 ; tobacco $12,496,000 ; iron and castings $12,000,000 ; liquors
$11,245,000; clothing $10,022,000; lumber $8,652,000; bagging
and bags $6,914,000, and many other smaller industries in propor¬
tion.

REAT BRIDGE AT ST. LOUIS.

Of the many public improvements which do honor to the State and
reflect great credit upon the genius of their projectors, we have space
only, to mention the great bridge at St. Louis.

This truly wonderful construction is built of tubular steel, total
length of which, wdth its approaches, is 6,277 feet, at a cost of nearly
$8,000,000. The bridge spans the Mississippi from the Illinois to
the Missouri shore, and has separate railroad tracks, roadways, and
foot paths. In durability, architectural beauty and practical utilitv,
there is, perhaps, no similar piece of workmanship that approximates
it.

The structure of Darius upon the Bosphorus ; of Xerxes upon the
Hellespont ; of Ceesar upon the Rhine ; and Trajan upon the Danube,
famous in ancient history, were built for military purposes, that over
them might pass invading armies with their munitions of war, to de¬
stroy commerce, to lay in waste the provinces, and to slaughter the
people.

But the erection of this was for a higher and nobler purpose. Over
it are coming the trade and merchandise of the opulent East, and
thence are passing the untold riches of the West. Over it are crowd-

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

ing legions of men, armed not with the weapons of war, but with the
implements of peace and industry ; men who are skilled in all the arts
of agriculture, of manufacture and of mining ; men who will hasten
the day when St. Louis shall rank in population and importance, sec¬
ond to no city on the continent, and when Missouri shall proudly fill
the measure of greatness, to which she is naturally so justly entitled.

CHAPTEE XI.

EDUCATION.

Public School System — Public School System of Missouri — Lincoln Institute — Offi¬
cers of Public School System — Certificates of Teachers — University of Missouri —
Schools — Colleges — Institutions of Learning — Location — Libraries — Newspa¬
pers and Periodicals — No. of School Children — Amount expended — Value of
Grounds and Buildings — “ The Press.”

The first constitution of Missouri provided that “one school or more
shall be established in each township, as soon as practicable and neces¬
sary, where the poor shall be taught gratis. 99

It will be seen that even at that early day (1820) the framers of the
constitution made provision for at least a primary education for the
poorest and the humblest, taking it for granted that those who were
able would avail themselves of educational advantages which were not
gratuitous.

The establishment of the public-school system, in its essential fea¬
tures, was not perfected until 1839, during the administration of Gov¬
ernor Boggs, and since that period the system has slowly grown into
favor, not only in Missouri, but throughout the United States. The
idea of a free or public school for all classes was not at first a popular
one, especially among those who had the ’'means to patronize private
institutions of learning. In upholding and maintaining public schools
the opponents of the system felt that they were not only compromis¬
ing their own standing among their more wealthy neighbors, but that
they were, to some extent, bringing opprobrium upon their children.
Entertaining such prejudices, they naturally thought that the training
received at public schools could not be otherwise than defective ; hence
many years of probation passed before the popular mind was prepared

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

to appreciate the benefits and blessings which spring from these instil
tutions.

Every year only adds to their popularity, and commends them the
more earnestly to the fostering care of our State and National Legis¬
latures, and to the esteem and favor of all classes of our people.

We can hardly conceive of two grander or more potent promoters of
civilization than the free school and free press. They would indeed
seem to constitute all that was necessary to the attainment of the hap¬
piness and intellectual growth of the Republic, and all that was neces¬
sary to broaden, to liberalize and instiuct.

t* Tis education forms the common mind;

******

For noble youth there is nothing so meet
As learning is, to know the good from ill;

To know the tongues, and perfectly indite,

And of the laws to have a perfect skill,

Things to reform as right and justice will;

For honor is ordained for no cause
But to see right maintained by the laws.”

All the States of the Union have in practical operation the public-
school system, governed in the main by similar laws, and not differing
materially in the manner and methods by which they are taught ; but
none have a wiser, a more liberal and comprehensive machinery of
instruction than Missouri. Her school laws, since 1839, have under¬
gone many changes, and always for the better, keeping pace with the
most enlightened and advanced theories of the most experienced edu¬
cators in the land. But not until 1875, when the new constitution was
adopted, did her present admirable system of public instruction go
into effect.

Provisions were made not only for white, but for children of African
descent, and are a part of the organic law, not subject to the caprices
of unfriendly legislatures, or the whims of political parties. The Lin¬
coln Institute, located at Jefferson City, for the education of col¬
ored teachers, receives an%annual appropriation from the General
Assembly.

For the support of the public schools, in addition to the annual
income derived from the public school fund, which is set apart by law,
not less than twenty-five per cent, of the State revenue, exclusive of
the interest and sinking fund, is annually applied to this purpose.

The officers having in cHarge the public school interests are the State
“ Board of Education,” the State Superintendent, County Commission-

NORMAL SCHOOL AT CAPE GIRARDEAU.

Mill

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

ers, County Clerk and Treasurer, Board of Directors, City and Town
School Board, and Teacher. The State Board of Education is composed
of the State Superintendent, the Governor, Secretary of State, and the
Attorney-General, the executive officer of this Board being the State Su¬
perintendent, who is chosen by the people every four years. His duties
are numerous. He renders decisions concerning the local application of
school law ; keeps a record of the school funds and annually distributes
the same to the counties ; supervises the work of county school officers }
delivers lectures ; visits schools ; distributes educational information ;
grants certificates of higher qualifications, and makes an annual report
to the General Assembly of the condition of the schools.

The County Commissioners are also elected by the people for two
years. Their work is to examine teachers, to distribute blanks, and
make reports. County clerks receive estimates from the local direct¬
ors and extend them upon the tax-books. In addition to this, they
keep the general records of the county and township school funds, and
return an annual report of the financial condition of the schools of
their county to the State Superintendent. School taxes are gathered
with other taxes by the county collector. The custodian of the school
funds belonging to the schools of the counties is the county treasurer,
except in counties adopting the township organization, in which case
the township trustee discharges these duties.

Districts organized under the special law for cities and towns are
governed by a board of six directors, two of whom are selected annu¬
ally, on the second Saturday in September, and hold their office for
three years.

One director is elected to serve for three years in each school dis¬
trict, at the annual meeting. These directors may levy a tax not
exceeding forty cents on the one hundred dollars* valuation, pro¬
vided such annual rates for school purposes may be increased in dis¬
tricts formed of cities and towns, to an amount not exceeding one
dollar on the hundred dollars’ valuation, and in other districts to an
amount not to exceed sixty-five cents on the one hundred dollars* val¬
uation, on the condition that a majority of the voters who are tax-pay¬
ers, voting at an election held to decide the question, vote for said
increase. For the purpose of erecting public buildings in school dis¬
tricts, the rates of taxation thus limited may be increased when the
rate of such increase and the purpose for which it is intended shall
have been submitted to a vote of the people, and two-thirds of the

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

qualified voters of such school district voting at such election shall
vote therefor.

Local directors may direct the management of the school in respect
to the choice of teachers and other details, but in the discharge of
all important business, such as the erection of a school house or the
extension of a term of school beyond the constitutional period, they
simply execute the will of the people. The clerk of this board may
be a director. He keeps a record of the names of all the children-and
youth in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one ; records
all business proceedings of the district, and reports to the annual
meeting, to the County Clerk and County Commissioners.

Teachers must hold a certificate from the State Superintendent or
County Commissioner of the county where they teach. State certifi¬
cates are granted upon personal written examination in the common
branches, together with the natural sciences and higher mathematics.
The holder of such certificate may teach in any public school of the
State without further examination. Certificates granted by County
Commissioners are of two classes, with two grades in each class. Those
issued for a longer term than one year, belong to the first class and are
susceptible of two grades, differing both as to length of time and attain¬
ments. Those issued for one year may represent two grades, marked by
qualification alone. The township school fund arises from a grant of
land by the General Government, consisting of section sixteen in each
congressional township. The annual income of the township fund is ap¬
propriated to the various townships, according to their respective
proprietary claims. The support from the permanent funds is supple¬
mented by direct taxation laid upon the taxable property of each dis¬
trict. The greatest limit of taxation for the current expenses is one
per cent ; the tax permitted for school house building cannot exceed
the same amount.

Among the institutions of learning and ranking, perhaps, the first
in importance, is the State University located at Columbia, Boone
County. When the State was admitted into the Union, Congress
granted to it one entire township of land (46,080 acres) for the sup¬
port of “A Seminary of Learning.* * The lands secured for this pur¬
pose are among the best and most valuable in the State. These
lands were put into the market in 1832 and brought $75,000, which
amount was invested in the stock of the old bank of the State of Mis¬
souri, where it remained and increased by accumulation to the sum of
$100,000. In 1839, by an act of the General Assembly, five cominis-

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

sioners were appointed to select a site for the State University, the
site to contain at least fifty acres of land in a compact form, within
two miles of the county seat of Cole, Cooper, Howard, Boone, Calla¬
way or Saline. Bids were let among the counties named, and the
county of Boone having subscribed the sum of $117,921, some
$18,000 more than any other county, the State University was located
in that county, and on the 4th of July, 1840, the corner-stone was
laid with imposing ceremonies.

The present annual income of the University is nearly $65,000,
The donations to the institutions connected therewith amount to
nearly $400,000. This University with its different departments,
is open to both male and female, and both sexes enjoy alike its
rights and privileges. Among the professional schools, which form a
part of the University, are the Normal, or College of Instruction in
Teaching ; Agricultural and Mechanical College ; the School of Mines
and Metallurgy ; the College of Law ; the Medical College ; and the
Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry. Other departments
are contemplated and will be added as necessity requires.

The following will show the names and locations of the schools and
institutions of the State, as reported by the Commissioner of Education
in 1875: —

UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES.

Christian University . Canton.

St. Vincent’s College . Cape Girardeau.

University of Missouri . . . Columbia.

Central College . . Fayette.

Westminster College . Fulton.

Lewis College . Glasgow.

Pritchett School Institute . Glasgow.

Lincoln College . Greenwood.

Hannibal College . Hannibal.

Woodland College . Independence.

Thayer College . Kidder.

La Grange College . La Grange.

William Jewell College . Liberty.

Baptist College . Louisiana.

St. Joseph College . . -St. Joseph.

College of Christian Brothers . St. Louis.

St Louis University . . St Louis.

Washington University . St Louis.

Drury College . Springfield.

Central Wesleyan College . Warrenton.

FOR SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF WOMEN.

St Joseph Female Seminary . St Joseph.

Christian College . -Columbia.

HISTORY OF MISSOURI

Stephens College . . . .. . Columbia.

Howard College . Fayette.

Independence Female College . Independence.

Central Female College . Lexington.

Clay Seminary . Liberty.

, Ingleside Female College . Palmyra.

Lindenwood College for Young Ladies . St. Charles.

Mary Institute (Washington University) . St. Louis.

St. Louis Seminary . St. Louis.

Ursuline Academy. . St. Louis.

FOR SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

Arcadia College . . . . . . . Arcadia.

St. Vincent’s Academy . . . Cape Girardeau.

Chillicothe Academy . Chillicothe.

Grand River College . Edinburgh.

Marionville Collegiate Institute . Marionville.

Palmyra Seminary . Palmyra.

St. Paul’s College . . . Palmyra.

Van Rensselaer Academy . . . . Rensselaer.

Shelby High School . Shelbyville.

Stewartsville Male and Female Seminary . Stewartsville.

SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE.

Missouri Agricultural and Mechanical College (University of Missouri) . Columbia.

Schools of Mines and Metallurgy (University of Missouri) . . . Rolla.

Polytechnic Institute (Washington University) . St. Louis.

SCHOOLS OF THEOLOGY.

St. Vincent’s College (Theological Department) . Cape Girardeau.

Westminster College (Theological School).. . Fulton.

Vardeman School of Theology (William Jewell College) . Liberty.

Concordia College . St. Louis.

SCHOOLS OF LAW.

Law School of the University of Missouri . Columbia.

Law School of the Washington University. . St. Louis.

SCHOOLS OF MEDICINE.

Medical College, University of Missouri . Columbia

College of Physicians and Surgeons . St. Joseph.

Kansas City College of Physicians and Surgeons . Kansas City.

Hospital Medical College . St. Joseph.

Missouri Medical College . St. Louis.

Northwestern Medical College . . . . St. Joseph.

St. Louis Medical College . St. Louis.

Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri . St. Louis.

Missouri School of Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children . St. Louis.

Missouri Central College . St. Louis.

St. Louis College of Pharmacy . . . St. Louis.

HI8TORY OF MISSOURI.

LARGEST PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Name.

St. Vincent’s College . .. .

Southeast Missouri State Normal School .

University of Missouri . '. .

Athenian Society . .

Union Literary Society .

Law College .

Westminster College .

Lewis College .

Mercantile Library .

Library Association . .

Fruitland Normal Institute .

State Library . .

Fetterman’s Circulating Library .

Law Library .

Whittemore’s Circulating Library .

North Missouri State Normal School .

William Jewell College . .

St. Paul’s College .

Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy .

St. Charles Catholic Library .

Carl Frielling’s Library .

Law Library .

Public School Library .

Walworth & Colt’s Circulating Library .

Academy of Science . . . . .

Academy of Visitation . . .

College of the Christian Brothers .

Deutsche Institute .

German Evangelical Lutheran, Concordia College

Law Library Association .

Missouri Medical College .

Mrs. Cuthbert’s Seminary (Young Ladies) . .

Odd Fellow’s Library .

Public School Library .

St. Louis Medical College .

St. Louis Mercantile Library .

St. Louis Seminary . . . .

St. Louis Turn Verein .

St. Louis University . .

St. Louis University Society Libraries . .

Ursuline Academy . .

Washington University .

St. Louis Law School . . .

Young Men’s Sodality . .

Library Association .

Public School Library .

Drury College .

Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau
umbia
umbia
umbia
umbia
Fulton
Glasgow
Hannibal
Independence.....

Jackson .

Jefferson City....

Kansas City .

Kirksville .

Liberty .

Palmyra .

Kolia .

St. Charles .

St. Joseph .

St. Louis .

St. Louis . . .

St. Louis .

St. Louis... .

St. Louis .

Sedalia .

Volumes.

6.500
1,225

10,000

1,200

1,000

6,000

8,000

2,219

1,100

1,000

13,000

1,300

8,000

1,000

1,050

4,000

2,000

1,478

1,716

6,000

2,000

2.500

1.500
2,744
4,000

22,000

1,000

4,800

8,000

1,000

1.500
4,000

40,097

1,100

45,000

2,000

17,000

8,000

2,000

4.500
8,000
1,327

1.500
1,015

Springfield

2,000

m 1880.

Newspapers and Periodicals . 481

CHARITIES.

State Asylum for Deaf and Dumb . Fulton.

St Bridget’s Institution for Deaf and Dumb . St. Louis.

Institution for the Education of the Blind . St Louis.

State Asylum for Insane . Fulton.

State Asylum for the Insane . St Louis.

HISTORY Or MISSOURI

NORMAL SCHOOLS.

Normal Institute .

Southeast Missouri State Normal School .

Normal School (University of Missouri) .

Fruitland Normal Institute .

Lincoln Institute (for colored) .

City Normal School . . .

Missouri State Normal School .

Number of school children

in 1880.

in 1878.

Estimated value of school property .

Total receipts for public schools . .

Total expenditures . .

NUMBER OP TEACHERS.

Male teachers . 6.239 ; average monthly pay.

Female teachers . . . 6,060; average monthly pay

. . Bolivar.

Cape Girardeau.

. ....Columbia.

. Jackson.

.... Jefferson City.

. St. Louis.

....Warrensburg.

$8,321,399
4,207, 61T
2,406,139

$36.36

28.09

The fact that Missouri supports and maintains four hundred and
seventy-one newspapers and periodicals, shows that her inhabitants
are not only a reading and reflecting people, but that they appreciate
“ The Press,’ 9 and its wonderful influence as an educator. The poet
has well said : —

But mightiest of the mighty means,

On which the arm of progress leans,

Man’s noblest mission to advance,

His woes assuage, his weal enhance,

His rights enforce, his wrongs redress —

Mightiest of mighty Is the Fress.

CHAPTER XII.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

Baptist Church — Its History— Congregational — When Founded — Its History —
Christian Church — Its History — Cumberland Presbyterian Church — Its History—
Methodist Episcopal Church — Its History — Presbyterian Church — Its History —
Protestant Episcopal Church — Its History — United Presbyterian Church — Its
History — Unitarian Church — Its History — Roman Catholic Church — Its History.

The first representatives of religious thought and training, who
penetrated the Missouri and Mississippi Valleys, were Pere Marquette,
La Salle, and others of Catholic persuasion, who performed missionary

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

labor among the Indians. A century afterward came the Protestants.
At that early period

“ A church in every grove that spread
Its living roof above their heads,’*

constituted for a time their only house of worship, and yet to them

“ No Temple built with hands could vie
In glory with its majesty.”

In the course of time, the seeds of Protestantism were scattered
along the shores of the two great rivers which form the eastern and
western boundaries of the State, and still a little later they were sown
upon her hill-sides and broad prairies, where they have since bloomed
and blossomed as the rose.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

The earliest anti-Catholic religious denomination, of which there is
any record, was organized in Cape Girardeau county in 1806, through
the efforts of Rev. David Green, a Baptist, and a native of Virginia.
In 1816, the first association of Missouri Baptists was formed, which
was composed of seven churches, all of which were located in the
southeastern part of the State. In 1817 a second association of
churches was formed, called the Missouri Association, the name being
afterwards changed to St. Louis Association. In 1834 a general con¬
vention of all the churches of this denomination, was held in Howard
county, for the purpose of effecting a central organization, at which
time was commenced what is now known as the “ General Association
of Missouri Baptists.”

To this body is committed the State mission work, denominational
education, foreign missions and the circulation of religious literature.
The Baptist Church has under its control a number of schools and
colleges, the most important of which is William Jewell College,
located at Liberty, Clay county. As shown by the annual report for
1875, there were in Missouri, at that date, sixty-one associations, one
thousand four hundred churches, eight hundred and twenty-four min¬
isters and eighty-nine thousand six hundred and fifty church members.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The Congregationalists inaugurated their missionary labors in the
State in 1814. Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Torringford, Connecticut,
and Rev. Daniel Smith, of Bennington, Vermont, were sent west by
the Massachusetts Congregational Home Missionary Society during

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

that year, and in November, 1814, they preached the first regular
Protestant sermons in St. Louis. Rev. Samuel Giddings, sent out
under the auspices of the Connecticut Congregational Missionary
Society, organized the first Protestant church in the city, consisting
of ten members, constituted Presbyterian. The churches organized
by Mr. Giddings were all Presbyterian in their order.

No exclusively Congregational Church was founded until 1852,
when the “ First Trinitarian Congregational Church of St. Louis ”
was organized. The next church of this denomination was organized
at Hannibal in 1859. Then followed a Welsh church in New Cambria
in 1864, and after the close of the war, fifteen churches of the same
order were formed in different parts of the State. In 1866, Pilgrim
Church, St. Louis, was organized. The General Conference of
Churches of Missouri was formed in 1865, which was changed in 1868,
to General Association. In 1866, Hannibal, Kidder, and St. Louis
District Associations were formed, and following these were the Kan¬
sas City and Springfield District Associations. This denomination in
1875, had 70 churches, 41 ministers, 3,363 church, members, and had
also several schools and colleges and one monthly newspaper.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The earliest churches of this denomination were organized in Cal¬
laway, Boone and Howard Counties, some time previously to 1829.
The first church was formed in St. Louis in 1836 by Elder R. B.
Fife. The first State Sunday School Convention of the Christian
Church, was held in Mexico in 1876. Besides a number of private
institutions, this denomination has three State Institutions, all of
which have an able corps of professors and have a good attendance of
pupils. It has one religious paper published in St. Louis, “ The Chris¬
tian ,” which is a weekly publication and well patronized. The mem¬
bership of this church now numbers nearly one hundred thousand in
the State and is increasing rapidly. It has more than five hundred
organized churches, the greater portion of which are north of the
Missouri River.

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

In the spring of 1820, the first Presbytery of this denomination
west of the Mississippi, was organized in Pike County. This Pres¬
bytery included all the territory of Missouri, western Illinois and
Arkansas and numbered only four ministers, two of whom resided at

HISTORY OF MISSOUR

that time in Missouri. There are now in the State, twelve Presby¬
teries, three Synods, nearly three hundred ministers and over twenty
thousand members. The Board of Missions is located at St. Louis.
They have a number of High Schools and two monthly papers pub¬
lished at St. Louis.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

In 1806, Rev. John Travis, a young Methodist minister, was sent
out to the “ Western Conference/ * which then embraced the Missis¬
sippi Valley, from Green County, Tennessee. During that year Mr.
Travis organized a number of small churches. At the close of his
conference year, he reported the result of his labors to the Western
Conference, which was held at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1870, and showed
an aggregate of one hundred and six members and two circuits, one
called Missouri and the other Meramec. In 1808, two circuits had
been formed, and at each succeeding year the number of circuits and
members constantly increased, until 1812, when what was called the
Western Conference was divided into the Ohio and Tennessee Confer¬
ences, Missouri falling into the Tennessee Conference. In 1816,
there was another division when the Missouri Annual Conference was
formed. In 1810, there were four traveling preachers and in 1820, fif¬
teen travelling preachers, with over 2,000 members. In 1836, the terri¬
tory of the Missouri Conference was again divided when the Missouri
Conference included only the State. In 1840 there were 72 traveling
preachers, 177 local ministers and 13,992 church members. Between
1840 and 1850, the church was divided by the organization of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1850, the membership of the
M. E. Church was over 25,000, and during the succeeding ten years
the church prospered rapidly. In 1875, the M. E. Church reported
274 church edifices and 34,156 members; the M. E. Church South,
reported 443 church edifices and 49,588 members. This denomina¬
tion has under its control several schools and colleges and two weekly
newspapers.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Presbyterian Church dates the beginning of its missionary
efforts in the State as far back as 1814, but the first Presbyterian
Church was not organized until 1816 at Bellevue settlement, eight
miles from St. Louis. The next churches were formed in 1816 and
1817 at Bonhomme, Pike County. The First Presbyterian Church
was organized in St. Louis in 1817, by Rev. Salmon Gidding. The

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

first Presbytery was organized in 1817 by the Synod of Tennessee
with four ministers and four churches. The first Presbyterian house
of worship (which was the first Protestant) was commenced in 1819
and completed in 1826. In 1820 a mission was formed among the
Osage Indians. In 1831, the Presbytery was divided into three:
Missouri, St. Louis, and St. Charles. These were erected with a
Synod comprising eighteen ministers and twenty-three churches.

The church was divided in 1838, throughout the United States. In
1860 the rolls of the Old and New School Synod together showed 109
ministers and 146 churches. In 1866 the Old School Synod was di¬
vided on political questions springing out of the war — a part form¬
ing the Old School, or Independent Synod of Missouri, who are con¬
nected with the General Assembly South. In 1870, the Old and New
School Presbyterians united, since which time this Synod has steadily
increased until it now numbers more than 12,000 members with more
than 220 churches and 150 ministers.

This Synod is composed of six Presbyteries and has under its con¬
trol one or two institutions of learning and one or two newspapers.
That part of the original Synod which withdrew from the General
Assembly remained an independent body until 1874 when it united
with the Southern Presbyterian Church. The Synod in 1875 num¬
bered 80 ministers, 140 churches and 9,000 members. It has under
its control several male and female institutions of a high order. The
St. Louis Presbyterian , a weekly paper, is the recognized organ of
the Synod.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The missionary enterprises of this church began in the State in
1819, when a parish was organized in the City of St. Louis. In 1828,
an agent of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, visited the
city, who reported the condition of things so favorably that Rev.
Thomas Horrell was sent out as a missionary and in 1825, he began
his labors in St. Louis. A church edifice was completed in 1830. In
1836, there were five clergymen of this denomination in Missouri,
who had organized congregations in Boonville, Fayette, St. Charles,
Hannibal, and other places. In 1840, the clergy and laity met in
convention, a diocese was formed, a constitution, and canons adopted,
and in 1844 a Bishop was chosen, he being the Rev. Cicero S.
Hawks. Through the efforts of Bishop Kemper, Kemper College was
founded near St. Louis, but was afterward given up on account of

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

pecuniary troubles. In 1847, the Clark Mission began and in 1849
the Orphans’ Home, a charitable institution, was founded. In 1865,
St. Luke’s Hospital was established. In 1875, there were in the city
of St. Louis, twelve parishes and missions and twelve clergymen.
This denom nation has several schools and colleges, and one newspaper.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This denomination is made up ot the members of the Associate and
Associate Reformed churches of the Northern States, which two
bodies united in 1858, taking the name of the United Presbyterian
Church of North America. Its members were generally bitterly
opposed to the institution of slavery. The first congregation was
organized at Warrensburg, Johnson County, in 1867. It rapidly
increased in numbers, and had, in 1875, ten ministers and five hundred
members.

UNITARIAN CHURCH.

This churcn was formed in 1834, by the Rev. W. G. Eliot, in St.
Louis. The churches are few in number throughout the State, the
membership being probably less than 300, all told. It has a mission
house and free school, for poor children, supported by donations.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The earliest written record of the Catholic Church in Missouri shows
that Father Watrin performed ministerial services in Ste. Genevieve,
in 1760, and in St. Louis in 1766. In 1770, Father Menrin erected a
small log church in St. Louis. In 1818, there were in the State four
chapels, and for Upper Louisiana seven priests. A college and semi¬
nary were opened in Perry County about this period, for the
education of the young, being the first college west of the Mississippi
River. In 1824, a college was opened in St. Louis, which is now
known as the St. Louis University. In 1826, Father Rosatti was
appointed Bishop of St. Louis, and through his instrumentality the
Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. Joseph and of the Visitation were
founded, besides other benevolent and charitable institutions. In
1834 he completed the present Cathedral Church. Churches were
built in different portions of the State. In 1847 St. Louis was created
an arch-diocese, with Bishop Kenrick, Archbishop.

In Kansas City there were five parish churches, a hospital, a con¬
vent and several parish schools. In 1868 the northwestern portion of
the State was erected into a separate diocese, with its seat at St. Joseph,

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

and Eight-Reverend John J. Hogan appointed Bishop. There were,
in 1875, in the city of St. Louis, 34 churches, 27 schools, 5 hospitals,
3 colleges, 7 orphan asylums and 3 female protectorates. There were
also 105 priests, 7 male and 13 female orders, and 20 conferences of
St. Vincent de Paul, numbering 1,100 members. In the diocese, out¬
side of St. Louis, there is a college, a male protectorate, 9 convents,
about 120 priests, 150 churches and 30 stations. In the diocese of
St. Joseph there were, in 1875, 21 priests, 29 churches, 24 stations,
1 college, 1 monastery, 5 convents and 14 parish schools :

Number of Sunday Schools in 1878 . . • 2,067

Number of Teachers in 1878 ... , . . 18,010

Number of Pupils in 1878 . . 139,578

THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS.

Instruction preparatory to ministerial work is given in connection
with collegiate study, or in special theological courses, at:

Central College (M. E. South) .

Central Wesleyan College (M. E. Church) .

Christian University (Christian) .

Concordia College Seminary (Evangelical Lutheran) .
Lewis College (M. E. Church) ....

St. Vincent College (Roman Catholic)

Vardeman School of Theology (Baptist)

• Fayette.

• Warrenton.

. . Canton.

. • St. Louis.

. . . Glasgow.

. . Cape Girardeau.

. . • Liberty.

The last is connected with William Jewell College.

CHAPTEE XIII.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR CRITTENDEN.

Nomination and election of Thomas T. Crittenden — Personal Mention — Marmaduke’s
candidacy — Stirring events — Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad — Death of Jesse
James — The Fords — Pardon of the Gamblers.

It is the purpose in this chapter to outline the more important
events of Governor Crittenden’s unfinished administration, stating
briefly the facts in the case, leaving comment and criticism entirely to
the reader, the historian having no judgment to express or prejudice
to vent.

Thomas T. Crittenden, of Johnson county, received the Demo¬
cratic nomination for Governor of Missouri at the convention at Jefler-

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

son City, July 22d, 1880. Democratic nomination for a State office in
Missouri is always equivalent to election, and the entire State ticket
was duly elected in November. Crittenden’s competitors before the
convention were Gen. John S. Marmaduke, of St. Louis, and John
A. Hockaday, of Callaway county. Before the assembling of the
convention many persons who favored Marmaduke, both personally
and politically, thought the nomination of an ex-Confederate might
prejudice the prospects of the National Democracy, and therefore, as
a matter of policy, supported Crittenden.

His name, and the fame of his family in Kentucky — Thomas T.
being a scion of the Crittendens of that State, caused the Democracy
of Missouri to expect great things from their new Governor. This,
together with the important events which followed his inauguration,
caused some people to overrate him, while it prejudiced others against
him. The measures advocated by the Governor in his inaugural
address were such as, perhaps, the entire Democracy could endorse,
especially that of refunding, at a low interest, all that part of the State
debt that can be so refunded ; the adoption of measures to relieve the
Supreme Court docket ; a compromise of the indebtedness of some of
the counties, and his views concerning repudiation, which he con¬
temned.

HANNIBAL & ST. JOE RAILROAD CONTROVERSY.

By a series of legislative acts, beginning with the act approved
February 22, 1851, and ending with that of March 26, 1881, the
State of Missouri aided with great liberality in the construction of a
system of railroads in this State.

Among the enterprises thus largely assisted was the Hannibal and
St. Joseph Railroad, for the construction of which the bonds of the
State, to the amount of $3,000,000, bearing interest at 6 per cent per
annum, payable semi-annually, were issued. One half of this amount
was issued under the act of 1851, and the remainder under the act of
1855. The bonds issued under the former act were to run twenty
years, and those under the latter act were to run thirty years. Some
of the bonds have since been funded and renewed. Coupons for the
interest of the entire $3,000,000 were executed and made payable in
New Y ork. These acts contain numerous provisions intended to
secure the State against loss and to require the railroad company to
pay the interest and principal at maturity. It "was made the duty of
the railroad company to save and keep the State from all loss on
account of said bonds and coupons. The Treasurer of the State was

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

to be exonerated from any advance of money to meet either principal
or interest. The State contracted with the railroad company for com¬
plete indemnity. She was required to assign her statutory mortgage
lien only upon payment into the treasury of a sum of money equal to
all indebtedness due or owing by said company to the State by reason
of having issued her bonds and loaned them to the company.

In June, 1881, the railroad, through its attorney, Geo. W. Easley,
Esq., paid to Phil. E. Chappell, State Treasurer, the sum of $3,000,-
000, and asked for a receipt in full of all dues of the road to the
State. The Treasurer refused to give such a receipt, but instead gave
a receipt for the sum “ on account.* * The debt was not yet due, but
the authorities of the road sought to discharge their obligation pre¬
maturely, in order to save interest and other expenses. The railroad
company then demanded its bonds of the State, which demand the
State refused. The company then demanded that the $3,000,000 be
paid back, and this demand was also refused.

The railroad company then brought suit in the United States Court
for an equitable adjustment of the matters in controversy. The $3,
000,000 had been deposited by the State in one of the banks, and was
drawing interest only at the rate of one-fourth of one per cent. It
was demanded that this sum should be so invested that a larger rate
of interest might be obtained, which sum of interest should be allowed
to the company as a credit in case any sum should be found due from
it to the State. Justice Miller, of the United States Supreme Court,
who heard the case upon preliminary injunction in the spring of 1882,
decided that the unpaid and unmatured coupons constituted a liability
of the State and a debt owing, though not due, and until these were
provided for the State was not bound to assign her lien upon the road.

Another question which was mooted, but not decided, was this :
That, if any, what account is the State to render for the use of the
$3,000,000 paid into the treasury by the complainants on the 20th of
June? Can she hold that large sum of money, refusing to make any
account of it, and still insist upon full payment by the railroad
company of all outstanding coupons ?

Upon this subject Mr. Justice Miller, in the course of his opinion,
said : “I am of the opinion that the State, having accepted or got this
money into her possession, is under a moral obligation (and I do not
pretend to commit anybody as to how far its legal obligation goes) to
so use that money as, so far as possible, to protect the parties who
have paid it against the loss of the interest which it might accumulate,

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

and which would go to extinguish the interest on the State’s obliga¬
tions. ”

March 26, 1881, the Legislature, in response to a special message of
Gov. Crittenden, dated February 25, 1881, in which he informed
the Legislature of the purpose of the Hannibal and St. Joseph com¬
pany to discharge the full amount of what it claims is its present
indebtedness as to the State, and advised that provision be made
for the “ profitable disposal” of the sum when paid, passed an act,
the second section of which provided.

“ Sec. 2. Whenever there is sufficient money in the sinkiug fund to
redeem or purchase one or more of the bonds of the State of Missouri,
such sum is hereby appropriated for such purpose, and the Fund
Commissioners shall immediately call in for payment a like amount
of the option bonds of the State, known as the “ 5-20 bonds,”
provided, that if there are no option bonds which can be called in for
pavment, they may invest such money in the purchase of any of the
bonds of the State, or bonds of the United States, the Hannibal and
St. Joseph railroad bonds excepted.”

On the 1st of January, 1882, the regular semi-annual payment of
interest on the railroad bonds became due, but the road refused to
pay, claiming that it had already discharged the principal, and of
course was not liable for the interest. Thereupon, according to the
provisions of the aiding act of 1855, Gov. Crittenden advertised the
road for sale in default of the payment of interest. The company
then brought suit before U. S. Circuit Judge McCrary at Keokuk,
Iowa, to enjoin the State from selling the road, and for such other
and further relief as the court might see fit and proper to grant.
August 8, 1882, Judge McCrary delivered his opinion and judgment,
as follows :

"First. That the payment by complainants into the treasury of the
State of the sum of $3,000,000 on the 26th of June, 1881, did not
satisfy the claim of the State in full, nor entitle complainants to an
assignment of the State’s statutory mortgage.

“ Second . That the State was bound to invest the principal sum
of $3,000,000 so paid by the complainants without unnecessary delay
in the securities named in the act of March 26, 1881, or some of
them, and so as to save to the State as large a sum as possible,
which sum so saved would have constituted as between the State and
complainants a credit pro tanto upon the unmatured coupons now in
controversy.

HISTORY OP MISSOURI.

“Third. That the rights and equity of the parties are to be deter¬
mined upon the foregoing principles, and the State must stand
charged with what would have been realized if the act of March,
1881, had been complied with. It only remains to consider what th©
rights of the parties are upon the principles here stated.

“ In order to save the State from loss on account of the default of
the railroad company, a further sum must be paid. In order to deter¬
mine what that further sum is an accounting must be had. The ques¬
tion to be settled by the accounting is, how much would the State
have lost if the provisions of the act of March, 1881, had been
complied with ? * * * * I think a perfectly fair basis of settle¬

ment would be to hold the State liable for whatever could have been
saved by the prompt execution of said act by taking up such 5-20
option bonds of the State as were subject to call when the money was
paid to the State, and investing the remainder of the fund in the
bonds of the United States at the market rates.

“ Upon this basis a calculation can be made and the exact sum still to
be paid by the complainant in order to fully indemnify and protect the
State can be ascertained. For the purpose of stating an account
upon this basis and of determining the sum to be paid by the com¬
plainants to the State, the cause will be referred to John K. Cravens,
one of the masters of this court. In determining the time when the
investment should have been made under the act of March, 1881, the
master will allow a reasonable period for the time of the receipt of the
said sum of $3,000,000 by the Treasurer of the State — that is to say,
such time as would have been required for that purpose- had the offi¬
cers charged with the duty of making said investment used reason¬
able diligence in its discharge.

“ The Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad is advertised for sale for the
amount of the instalment of interest due January 1, 1882, which
instalment amounts to less than the sum which the company must pay
in order to discharge its liabilities to the State upon the theory of this
opinion. The order will, therefore, be that an injunction be granted
to enjoin the sale of the road upon the payment of the said instal¬
ment of interest due January 1, 1882, and if such payment is made
the master will take it into account in making the computation above
mentioned.0

KILLING OF JESSE JAMES.

The occurrence during the present Governor’s administration which
did most to place his name in everybody’s mouth, and even to herald

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

it abroad, causing the European press to teem with leaders announcing
the fact to the continental world, was the “ removal” of the famous
Missouri brigand, Jesse W. James. The career of the James boys,
and the banditti of whom they were the acknowledged leaders, is too
well-known and too fully set forth in works of a more sensational
character, to deserve further detail in these pages ; and the “ removal ”
of Jesse will be dealt with only in its relation to the Covernor.

It had been long conceded that neither of the Jameses would ever be
taken alive. That experiment had been frequently and vainly tried,
to the sorrow of good citizens of this and other States. It seems to
have been one of the purposes of Gov. Crittenden to break up this
band at any cost, by cutting off its leaders. Soon after the Winston
train robbery, on July 15, 1881, the railroads combined in empower¬
ing the Governor, by placing the money at his disposal, to offer heavy
rewards for the capture of the two James brothers. This was ac¬
cordingly done by proclamation, and, naturally, many persons were
on the lookout to secure the large rewards. Gov. Crittenden worked
quietly, but determinedly, after offering the rewards, and by some
means learned of the availability of the two Ford boys, young men
from Ray county, who had been tutored as juvenile robbers by the
skillful Jesse. An understanding was had, when the Fords declared
they could find Jesse — that they were to “turn him in.” Robert
Ford and brother seem to have been thoroughly in the confidence of
James, who then (startling as it was to the entire State) resided in
the city of St. Joseph, with his wife and two children ! The Fords
went there, and when the robber’s back was turned, Robert shot him
dead in the bach of the head ! The Fords told their story to the
authorities of the city, who at once arrested them on a charge of mur¬
der, and they, when arraigned, plead guilty to the charge. Promptly,
however, came a full, free and unconditional pardon from Gov. Crit¬
tenden, and the Fords were released. In regard to the Governor’s
course in ridding the State of this notorious outlaw, people were
divided in sentiment, some placing him in the category with the Ford
boys and bitterly condemning his action, while others — the majority
of law-abiding people, indeed, — though deprecating the harsh meas¬
ures which James’ course had rendered necessary, still upheld th
Governor for the part he played. As it was, the “ Terror of Mis¬
souri ” was effectually and finally “removed,” and people were glad
that he was dead. Robert Ford, the pupil of the dead Jesse, had

HISTORY OF MISSOURI.

been selected, and of all was the most fit tool to use in the extermina¬
tion of his preceptor in crime.

The killing of James would never have made Crittenden many ene¬
mies among the better class of citizens of this State ; but, when it
came to his

PARDON OF THE GAMBLERS.

The case was different. Under the new law making gaminghouse¬
keeping a felony, several St. Louis gamblers, with Robert C. Pate at
their head, were convicted and sentenced to prison. The Governor,
much to the surprise of the more rigid moral element of the State,
soon granted the gamblers a pardon. This was followed by other
pardons to similar offenders, which began to render the Governor quite
unpopular which one element of citizens, and to call forth from some
of them the most bitter denunciations. The worst feature of the case,
perhaps, is the lack of explanation, or the setting forth of sufficient
reasons, as is customary in issuing pardons, This, at least, is the bur¬
den of complaint with the faction that opposes him. However, it
must be borne in mind that his term of office, at this writing, is but
half expired, and that a full record can not, therefore, be given. Like
all mere men, Gov. Crittenden has his good and his bad, is liked by
some and disliked by others. The purpose of history is to set forth
the facts and leave others to sit in judgment ; this the historian has
tried faithfully to do, leaving all comments to those who may see fit to
make them.

I ,

HISTORY

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MISSOURI.

CHAPTER I.

THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY.

One hundred and fifteen years constitute a long interval of time,
and yet, such is the period embraced between the date of the first
settlement of St. Charles county, and the present era of our Lord,
one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four.

Standing, therefore, so far down the stream of time, and at such a
distance from its source, we can not hope to retrace its meanderings
step by step. ’Tis true the shores of this stream are thickly strewn
with the relics of more than a century, but these grow fainter and
still more faint, as we approach its source. Even written records
become less and less explicit, and finally fail altogether as we near the
beginning of the community whose lives we are seeking to rescue
from the gloom of a rapidly receding past. But while we can not
expect to gather all the scattered and loosening threads of the past,
we hope to collect the main and important filaments, which compose
the warp and woof of the history of St. Charles county.

To weave then, these filaments into a compact web of the present,
is a work of great patience and labor, requiring days and weeks and
months to perform. Many of the burdens and anxieties, however,

1 (87)

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

resulting from such a task, will be lightened in proportion to the sym¬
pathy the reader may give the author, as he peruses the following
pages.

The first settlement was made in what is now St. Charles county,
in 1769, by a daring Frenchman called Louis Blanchette, surnamed
“ The Hunter” — Chasseur. He being the first settler in this region
of country, we deem it not inappropriate to place before our readers
in this connection, a brief sketch of his life, although this sketch is
embodied in a somewhat highly colored romance, which we take from
“ Hopewell’s Legends of the Missouri and Mississippi —

In the year 1765, a Frenchman, called Blanchette Chasseur, ani¬
mated by that love of adventure which characterizes all who have
lived a roving and restless life, ascended the Missouri, wfith a few fol¬
lowers, for the purpose of forming a settlement in the then remote
wilderness.

He was one of those who encountered perils and endured priva¬
tions, not from necessity, but from choice; for he had been born
to affluence, and had every indulgence consistent with wealth and
station, but from a boy had spurned, with Spartan prejudice, every
effeminate trait, and had accomplished himself in every hardy and
manly exercise. When he had attained his majority, he sailed for
America, then the El Dorado of all the visionary, roving and restless
spirits of the age. He loved the Indian and the wilderness, and
after a sojourn in the wilds for some months, the attractions of La
Belle France were forgotten, and Blanchette Chasseur became the
leader of the hardy pioneers of civilization at that early period. So
assimilated had he become to the scenes in which he lived and
mingled, that he forgot his caste , and condescended to mingle his
noble blood with that of the aborigines of the country, by taking as
partners of his itinerant wigwams young squaws of the tribes which
were in the vicinity of his wanderings.

At the period which we have mentioned, Blanchette Chasseur had
but three followers — two Canadian hunters and a half-breed Indian.
It was near sunset one afternoon in October, when they rowed up
the swift-running current of the muddy Missouri. The vast forests
skirting the river had that rich golden line found only in America, and
the tops of the trees, flooded with the dazzling glory of the sunbeams,
looked gorgeous beyond description. There were several small hills
at a little distance, and from one of these they saw the smoke ascend¬
ing from a camp-fire.

Blanchette Chasseur, feeling confident that he was in the vicinity
of a party of Indians, with that fearlessness and curiosity which made
up, so largely, a portion of his character, determined to see and learn,
if possible, their business in the neighborhood and to what tribe they
belonged. He landed his little boat where some bushes grew thick
upon the banks, and, armed with his rifle, proceeded alone toward

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

the encampment. When he was within a hundred yards of the
camp-fire, seeing that he was discovered by the Indians, he stopped
in his course, and taking a soiled piece of cloth from his pocket,
tied it to the end of his gun, and waved it in token of friendly inten¬
tions.

At this signal of friendship from Blanchette Chasseur, an old Indian,
of low stature but herculean build, came towards him. He was fol¬
lowed by a band of warriors, who, as well as he, were begrimed with
paint ; but the old Indian, from his rich display of beads and the
plumage of birds, together with the deference paid to him by the
band, was evidently the chief. The whole party had been on the war¬
path, for several fresh scalps dangled from the belts of some of the
warriors ; and the cincture of the old chief, through its whole circum¬
ference, was frizzled with the hair of the enemies subdued in many
conflicts, but was totally unlike the fabled girdle of the Phaphian
goddess, which gave to its possessor transcendant loveliness — for
the old chief was as hideous in his features as the veiled prophet of
Korassan.

Blanchette Chasseur, with his ever-glowing courage, felt some
slight chilling sensations glide through his frame, as he looked
upon such a number of warlike Indians, besmeared with paint,
with their reeking trophies of savage prowess. Nevertheless, he
addressed them in an Indian tongue with which he was familiar, tell¬
ing them he was a white man ascending the Missouri, and that he
loved the Indian. The old chief gazed upon him with a full, atten¬
tive smile, and molifying somewhat his rugged features, told him he
was welcome, and to call his followers, whom Blanchette had left with
the canoe.

The half-breed Indian, from the departure of Blanchette, had com¬
menced to show symptoms of alarm, and when he saw the painted
warriors, with their bows and arrows, their tomahawks and scalp-locks;
some of which were still gory, his philosophy forsook him, and, dart¬
ing from the canoe, and with almost the fleetness of a deer, endeavored
to place as much distance as possible between himself and the sup¬
posed enemies. The old chief told his warriors to give chase, and
capture without injuring him. With a yell that rang loud and echoing
through the solitude, the fleet-footed warriors started after the fugi-
tive, and, in a short time, the poor half-breed, more dead than alive,
was brought to the encampment. His swarthy face looked pale with
excessive fright; he kept one hand upon the crown of his head, as if
he expected every moment that an attack would be made upon his
scalp, and made such horrible grimaces, that the old chief shook with
excess of laughter. Blanchette Chasseur, pitying his follower — who,
though a coward, was faithful — calmed his fright by telling him that
his scalp was as safe upon his head as the crown upon the imperial
monarch of France.

All excitement being allayed, the old chief and warriors, and Blan¬
chette Chasseur and followers, then sat, side by side, at a large fire,
and smoked the pipe of peace — an essential proceeding among the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Indians, as significant of friendship. Blanchette Chasseur then told
one of his men to go to the boat, and bring, from beneath a seat, a
jug well tilled with the fluid which causes the tongue to rattle, the
heart to expand, and the reason to sleep.

At the sight of the jug, the old chief rose quickly to his feet, seized
it in his large hands, extracted the cork in a twinkling — and placed
his nose to the aperture. He then gave vent to the most extravagant
rapture. He cut a caper in the air that would have been creditable
to an equestrian clown, embraced Blanchette Chasseur with the ardor
of a newly accepted lover ; and, spreading wide his short legs, so as
to have a secure base, placed the large jug to his lips, and took a long
suck of its contents. He then took a little pewter mug, that Blan¬
chette Chasseur had in his hands, and dealt a sparing allowance to the
warriors, and, after serving all with the diligence, if not the grace of
a Ganymede, he threw aside the cup, and, again fortifying himself like
a Colossus of Rhodes, he drank long and deeply ; then drawing a long
breath, he said, turning to Blanchette, “ C’est bon; j'en ai assez,”
(it is good ; I have enough).

Both Blanchette Chasseur and the old chief had a good supply of
dried provisions, and all were soon in the humor to do justice to a
supper. During the repast, the desirable jug was several times called
upon to contribute freely, and such was the potency of its power over
the usually cold stoicism of the savages, that, in a short time, they
commenced to laugh and boast of their recent exploits, and became on
the most familiar terms with their new friends.

The old chief, seeing everything on the most friendly footing, with
his stomach overflowing with whisky and dried beef, became very
garrulous and familiar. Blanchette, manifesting some surprise at his
readiness in speaking the French language, was told by Guillet, that
if he were not too sleepy, he would relate to him some of the stirring
incidents of an eventful life.

Blanchette signifying a wish to hear the narrative, the old warrior
thus began : —

THE NARRATIVE OF BERNARD GUILLET, THE CHIEF OF THE DAKOTAS.

“ My good friend, the first thing I have to tell you is, that I am a
Frenchman, and not an Indian. I was born near Marseilles, in the
southern part of France, of poor, but respectable parents, who died
within three months of each other, when I had attained 11 years of
age. My mother died last, and a few hours before her death, with a
feeble effort, she took a rosary which she kept constantly suspended
from her neck, and hung it upon mine, murmuring some indistinct
words. I have thought of them often since, and I know that they
were blessings. After losing my parents my troubles commenced. It
is not worth my while to dwell upon trivial incidents ; let it suffice to
say that four months after I lost my parents, I was, by the authorities,
apprenticed to a tanner. I was worked hard and almost starved ; and,
from the wrongs that I had continually heaped upon me, I date the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

change in my disposition, which was naturally gentle, into fierce and
vindictive elements. I was kicked about much more than a sorry cur
we had in the establishment, named Carlo. However, I looked upon
Carlo as my only friend, and he loved me in return. We were bed¬
fellows. Things continued in this way until I became 17 years of
age, at which time my mind became sufficiently developed to compre¬
hend, to its fullest extent, the unjust treatment I received from my
master, who still continued to beat me as usual for every trivial fault
or fancied omission. My blood often boiled during the chastisements,
and I felt ready to exterminate the wretch upon the spot. One even¬
ing, in a paroxysm of rage, I killed him. Working hours were over,
and as usual I was looking over some books that I had gradually col¬
lected together, so as to improve my mind. My rosary was in my
hand, and the current of my thoughts had floated from my book to
the by-gone days, with which was associated the image of my mother.
My master came in, and seeing me with the beads, snatched them
from my hands and gave me a buff upon the cheek, saying, I was a
good for nothing, lazv fellow. I entreated him to return the rosary,
telling him it was the last gift of a deceased mother.

“ ‘ Your mother, you vagabond? ’ replied he ; ‘ who was she but a
strumpet? ’

“Blood swam before my eyes — my heart was on fire, and the
voices of all the devils whispered vengeance ! I sprang at his throat
with a yell of rage, and clenched it like a vice 1 When I released the
hold he was dead, and I, Bernard Guillet, was a murderer !

“I fled that night to Marseilles, where a vessel was just leaving for
the new world. I offered myself as a common sailor, and as the cap¬
tain was short of hands, I was taken without any inquiries. We were
soon out of the harbor, and I was comparatively safe from pursuit.

“After a voyage of three months, we reached the shores of America,
and fearing that I might be pursued for the murder of my master, I
went far into the interior of Canada, and engaged with a man who
traded for furs with the Indians. Somehow or other, I became
attached to the vagabond life I led. I soon learned to speak the
tongues of several of the In'dian tribes ; engaged in business on my
own account ; hunted with the hunters ; and, took to wife one of the
daughters of a chief of the Senecas. After thus linking myself by a
new tie to the Indians, I threw off the few civilized habits which still
clung to me, and adopted all the wild independence of my new rela¬
tions. I still visited, however, yearly, the trading posts of the whites,
chief! v for the purpose of gaining powder and lead, and a good pro¬
portion of whisky. We were engaged in several wars with the neigh¬
boring tribes, and I became a distinguished warrior. In all probability,
I had passed my life with the Senecas, had not my wife died in
childbed. I sincerely mourned her loss ; not that I can say that I
really loved her ; but I had lived with her for seven years, and she
was obedient to my slightest wish. She had borne me four children,
all of whom died.

“ After the death of my wife, I became desirous of change, and

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

determined to go far into the West, and lead the life of a trapper and
hunter. One evening, unknown to any one, about nightfall, I took
my tomahawk, rifle, a good supply of ammunition, and departed upon
my long journey. I easily subsisted upon the proceeds of the chase,
for then game was everywhere. I traveled through many regions,
and followed the course of many rivers, yet always keeping towards
the setting sun ; sometimes, tarrying in a place two or three weeks,
so as to try effectually what it would yield in the way of furs and
peltries.

“On the banks of the Muskingum river, I was nearly losing my
life. It was a warm day ; and, being somewhat fatigued and drowsy,
about midday, I lay beneath a large maple, which offered a fine shade,
that I might take a comfortable nap. I know not how long I lav
there ; but I felt a dead, heavy weight upon my breast that nearly
mashed me. I thought I had the nightmare, and tried to struggle
with the witch that was riding me, when the effort awoke me, and I
found a large red skin bestriding my bodv, and another commencing
to bind me with thongs. I was then under thirty, and as strong as a

buffalo.

“ With a sudden effort, I threw the red devil who was making a

7 v_

pack-horse of me, and gaining my feet, struck the other a blow with
my fist that made him whirl as a top. I then had time to draw my
knife, as the Indian I had thrown from my breast gained his feet. He
was soon finished; but the other had seized Nancy (a name I had
given my rifle, in honor of my mother), and had it pointed, with sure
aim, at mv heart. Sacre Dieu ! how funny I felt when I was think-
ing of the ball that was coming through me ; but Nancy snapped — I
don’t know whether from accident or not ; but I have always thought
that the name of my mother had something to do with it. You may
smile : but it does me good to think that her spirit can now and then
come near me. I killed the Indian with a blow of my tomahawk, and
took the scalps of them both. They were of the Miamis.

“I still kept westward,” said the old chief, taking another pull
from the bottle ; “ and, after some fifteen months, came to the banks
of the Mississippi. Then I got so far from civilization that I deter¬
mined to give up all idea of trading with whites, for a time, and to find
some locality to pack furs for a few years ; by which time I calculated
that plenty of trading posts would be established in those parts. I
coursed along the Mississippi for a few days, and, seeing a large river
flowing into it, I crossed over in a canoe I found hidden on the bank
of a river, and ascended it by coursing along its banks, until I reached
the neighborhood in which we now are. That was, as near as I can
guess, about twenty or twenty-five years ago. Here I found plenty
of deer and beaver, and determined to stop. So I built a little hut
and commenced trapping beaver and muskrats. I was very successful
during the first year, when, all of a sudden, I found that my luck had
stopped. I soon suspected the cause — my traps had been robbed.
I determined to find out the thief. One night I lav near one of mv most

V _ V

successful traps, and about daylight, or a little before, 1 saw the out-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

lines of an Indian going to the spot where my trap was. He had a
beaver in his hand, which he had taken from one of my other traps.
I leveled Nancy, and he fell dead. After scalping him, I let him lie.

“ A few days afterward, walking by the spot, I discovered that his
body had been removed. I was much alarmed, for I knew the Indians
had been there, and had taken away the dead body of their comrade.
I fortified my little cabin as well as possible, and went out but seldom.
About two months afterward, I was surprised one morning, before
sunrise, by the sound of a war whoop in front of my cabin, accompa¬
nied by efforts to break open the door. I thought that my hour had
come, but I determined to die game. I seized Nancy, put my rosary
into my bosom in case I fell, that I might call on the Virgin for grace
from the Son, and jumped to a loop-hole I had prepared before.
There were ten savages, and they used no precaution, thinking that
the mere sight of their numbers would make me surrender. One fell
dead at the call of Nancy, then another, and, in the space of an hour,
a third. They then became cautious, and, surrounding my cabin at
all points, succeeded in firing it. Tonneri de Dieu , how it burned !
I stood it some time, and, when I was almost roasted, I jumped from
the blazing roof. I had no chance. Directly I touched the ground I
was overpowered and bound.

4 4 I felt as if my doom was sealed, for I was a captive in the hands
of the Dakotas, who had come a long distance to take my scalp for
killing one of their tribe — him who had robbed my traps. I was
destined to a terrible death, and I knew it by their conversation on
the journey. My skin peeled from my limbs, leaving a mass of raw
flesh, so severely was I burned, but I was compelled to journey in
my sufferings. After many days’ travel we came to the chief village,
and warriors, old men, women, and children, came to meet us. They
all commenced abusing me, spitting upon me, and beating me. It
was horrible to feel that I was all alone among the savages, sick and
weak from the burns I had received. My
ing of my mother.

“A council of old men and chiefs of the nation was held, and, as
I had expected, I was doomed to the fire death. For two days
there was great preparations for barbecuing* me ; and, when all was
complete, I was delivered to the executioners. I was stripped per¬
fectly naked, and my feet unbound. I had first to run a gauntlet.
A row of boys and women were on each side of the way I had to run,
and, when I started for the goal, flaming fire brands were thrust in my
skin ; spears and arrows pierced my flesh, and blows from clubs came
in showers upon my defenseless body. I gained the goal, and fainted
as I gained it.

44 When I recovered consciousness, I found myself tied to a tree,
and the Indian boys preparing to shoot at me for a target. The
arrows stuck in my body in all directions, but did not touch any vital
part, the object being not to kill but torture me. I tried by sudden
efforts to twist my body so as to disappoint their aim, that I might
be killed, but I was too tightly bound and had to suffer. After

only consolation was think-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

amusing themselves until I was a mass of bleeding wounds, it was
determined to end the scene by placing me at the stake. I was
bound to a post around which were piles of resinous wood. The torch
was ready to be applied, and my last thoughts were on meeting my
mother, when an Indian woman rushed to the stake, and claimed me
as her husband, in place of one she had lost. No one disputed her
claim, and I was led to her lodge, and my rifle and all other property
that the Indians had brought from my hut, were restored to me.
She bestowed every attention on me, and I slowly recovered.
I was formally adopted by the nation and became a great favorite,,
doing them great service in their wars against the Pawnees and
Chippewas. The chief of the tribe gave me his only daughter
for a wife, and he dying I was made chief of the nation, and am
so still.”

Blanchette Chasseur thanked the chief for his interesting history,,
and after drinking each other’s health from the jug, which effectually
exhausted its contents, they lay down, and were soon following the
example of their snoring followers.

Next morning, Bernard Guillet, the chief of the Dakotas, invited
Blanchette Chasseur to visit him in his remote home, saying that he
would never get as far east again, as he was advancing in years, and
was tired of taking scalps.

“ Bernard,” said Blanchette Chasseur to the old chief, before his-
departure, “ when you lived here did you give any name to your
home ? ”

“ I called the place ‘ Les Petites Cotes 9 99 replied Bernard, “ from
the sides of the hills that you see.”

“ By that name shall it be called,” said Blanchette Chasseur, “ for
it is the echo of nature — beautiful from its simplicity.”

The two friends then separated. The chief of the Dakotas with
his warriors wended their way back to their tribe, and Blanchette
Chasseur again descended the Missouri, determined in a short time

o • 7

to return to Les Petites Cotes , and there form a settlement. He
did so. In 1769 (four years after) he formed a settlement, and called
the town that he laid out “ Les Petites Cotes P It soon grew to a
thriving village, and many years afterward was changed to St.
Charles.”

The above romance doubtless contains more fiction than truth, yet
we have given it, because it may interest some of the readers of this
history.

All authorities, however, agree to the main fact, that Blanchette
made the first settlement in the county, and that he located on the
present town site of the city of St. Charles, coming here about the
year 1769, and dying about the year 1793. He was commissioned
by the Governor of Upper Louisiana to establish a post here under
the Spanish government, and was, until the date, of his death, its-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

first civil and military Governor. The country, at the time of his
arrival, was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited by wild beasts and
savage Indians, who roamed at will through forest and prairie, from
the Missouri river on the south, to the British Possessions on the
north, and continued to maintain their supremacy in all this region
of country, excepting in the immediate vicinity of the military post
at St. Charles, until 1795. ’Tis true that a few houses had, in the
meantime, been built at St. Charles, numbering, perhaps, about a
dozen, between the years 1769 and 1791, but these were the inferior,
temporary huts of the commandant, and the attaches of the post.

The first Americans who settled in St. Charles county, and in fact,
the first Americans who permanently pitched their tents in what is
now known as the State of Missouri, were Col. Daniel Boone, the
distinguished pioneer from Kentucky, and his family, excepting his
two daughters, Lavinia and Rebecca, who lived and died in Kentucky.
A brief sketch of Col. Boone and his family will no doubt be read
with interest.

Daniel Boone was born in Bucks county, Pa., July 14, 1732. He
married Rebecca Bryan. Nine children resulted from this marriage,
viz. : James, Israel, Susanna, Jemima, Lavinia, Daniel M., Rebecca,
Jesse and Nathan.

James, the eldest son, was killed by the Indians in his sixteenth
year.

Israel was killed at the battle of Blue Lick, in Kentucky, August
19, 1782, in his twenty-fourth year.

Susanna married William Hayes, an Irishman, and a weaver by trade.
They lived in St. Charles county, Mo., and she died in the fortieth
year of her age.

Jemima married Flanders Callaway, and lived in what is now War¬
ren county, Mo. She died in 1829, in her sixty-seventh year. While
the family were living in the fort at Boonesborough, Kv., she and two
young friends, Betty and Frances Callaway, daughters of Col. Richard
Callaway, were captured by the Indians while gathering wild flowers
on the opposite bank of the Kentucky river, which they had crossed in
a canoe. They were pursued by Boone and Callaway and six other
men, and recaptured the following day.

Lavinia married Joseph Scholl and lived in Kentucky. She died in
her thirty-sixth year.

Daniel M. married a Miss Lewis, of Missouri, and died July 13 ,
1839, in his seventy-second year. He settled in Darst’s Bottom, St.
Charles county, Mo., in 1795, but moved to Montgomery county in

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

1816. He held several important positions under the government, and
during the Indian war, was appointed colonel of the militia. He made
most of the earlv government surveys in the counties of St. Charles,
Warren, Montgomery and Lincoln. At the time of his death he was
living in Jackson county. In personal appearance, he resembled his
father more than any of the other children.

Rebecca, the youngest of four daughters, married Philip Goe, and
lived and died in Kentucky.

Jesse married Cloe Yanbibber, and settled in Missouri in 1819. He
had received a good education and became a prominent and influential
man before his death, which occurred in St. Louis in 1821, while serv¬
ing as a member of the first Missouri Legislature.

Nathan Boone, the youngest child of Daniel Boone, came to Mis¬
souri in 1800. He married Olive Yanbibber, a sister of Jesse Boone’s
wife. He was a surveyor and made a number of government surveys.
At the commencement of the Indian war of 1812, he raised a com¬
pany of rangers, and received his commission as captain from Presi¬
dent Monroe in March, 1812. In August, 1832, he was commissioned
captain of dragoons by President Jackson, and during President
Polk’s administration he was promoted to major of dragoons. In
1850 he was again promoted, and received his commission as lieuten¬
ant-colonel of dragoons from President Filmore. He died October
16, 1856, in his seventy-sixth }rear.

Col. Daniel Boone (the old pioneer) came to Missouri in 1795, and
settled in Darst’s Bottom. His son, Daniel M., had preceded him a
short time, and from him and some hunters he had heard of the won¬
drous fertility of the great country west of the Mississippi, and of
its great abundance of game, and having lost his lands in Kentucky,
by reason of a defective title, he finally concluded to emigrate and
settle in this new country. This he did, as above stated, in 1795,
locating in St. Charles county, and about twenty-five miles above St.
Charles, on the Missouri river. June 11, 1800, Delassus, Lieuten¬
ant-Governor, appointed him commandant, or sydic, of Femme
Osage District, which office he accepted. He retained his commaud,
which included both civil and military duties, and discharged them
with satisfaction to all concerned, until the transfer of the govern-
ment to the United States in 1801.

Col. Boone received from the Spanish Governor, Delassus, a grant
of 1,000 arpents of land in the Femme Osage District. Subsequently
a grant of 10,000 arpents was made to him, by reason of an agree¬
ment with him, which he fulfilled, to bring into Upper Louisiana 100

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

families from Virginia and Kentucky. In order to confirm this grant,
it was necessary to obtain the signature of the direct representative
of the Spanish crown, at that time residing in New Orleans. Neg¬
lecting to comply with this requisition, his title was declared invalid.
His title to the first grant of 1,000 arpents was also declared invalid,
but was afterwards confirmed by special act of Congress.

On the 18th of March, 1813, Col. Boone experienced the saddest
affliction of his life, in the death of his aged and beloved wife. She
had been the companion of his toils, dangers, sorrows and pleasures
for more than half a century, participating in the same generous and
heroic nature as himself. He loved her devotedly, and their long
and intimate association had so closely knitted their hearts together
that he seemed hardly able to exist without her, and her death was to
him an irreparable loss.

She was buried on the summit of a beautiful knoll, in the southern
part of (now) Warren county, about one mile south-east of the little
town of Marthasville. A small stream, called Teuque creek, flows by
the foot of this knoll, and pursues its tortuous course to where it
empties into the Missouri river, a few miles to the south-east. Her
grave overlooked the Missouri bottoms, which are here about two
miles in width, and now, since the timber has been cleared away, a
fine view of the river can be obtained from that spot.

Soon after the death of his wife, the old pioneer marked a place by
her side for his own grave, and had a coffin made of black walnut for
himself. He kept his coffin under his bed for several years, and would
often draw it out and lie down in it, “just to see how it would fit.”
But finally a stranger died in the community, and the old man, gov¬
erned by the same liberal motives that had been his guide through life,
gave his coffin to the stranger. He afterward had another made of

o o

cherry, which was also placed under his bed, and remained there until
it received his body for burial.

The closing years of his life were devoted to the society of his neigh¬
bors, and his children and grandchildren, of whom he was very fond.
After the death of his wife, wishing to be near her grave, he removed
from his son Nathan’s, on Femme Osage creek, where they had lived
for several years previously, and made his home with his eldest daugh¬
ter, Mrs. Flanders Callaway, who lived with her husband and family
on Teuque 6reek, near the place where Mrs. Boone was buried. Flan¬
ders Callaway removed from Kentucky to Missouri shortly before the
purchase of the territory by the United States, and received a grant of
land from the Spanish government.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Frequent visits were made by the old pioneer to the homes of his
other children, and his coming was always made the occasion of an
ovation to “Grandfather Boone,” as he was affectionately called.
Wherever he was, his time was employed at some useful occupa¬
tion. He made powder-horns for his grandchildren and neighbors,
carving and ornamenting many of them with much taste. He re¬
paired rifles, and performed various descriptions of handicraft with
neatness and finish.

In December, 1818, Boone was visited by the historian, Rev. John
M. Peck, who was deeply and favorably impressed by the venerable
appearance of the aged pioneer. Mr. Peck had written his biography,
and expected to obtain some additional notes from him, but was so
overcome by veneration and wonder, that he asked only a few ques¬
tions. If he had carried out his first intention he would no doubt have
given a perfectly correct account of the life of this remarkable man,
but as it was, a number of mistakes crept into his work, and many
events of interest that occurred during the last few years of Boone’s
life were lost forever.

In the latter part of the summer of 1820, Boone had a severe attack
of fever, at his home at Flanders Callaway’s. But he recovered suffi¬
ciently to make a visit to the house of his son, Maj. Nathan Boone,
on Femme Osage creek. The children had heard of his sickness, and
were delighted to see grandfather again, and everything was done
that could be to make him comfortable. For a few davs he was
happy in their society, and by his genial disposition and pleasant man¬
ners diffused joy and gladness throughout the entire household.

One day a nice dish of sweet potatoes — a vegetable of which he was
very fond — was prepared for him. He ate heartily, and soon after
had an attack from which he never recovered. He gradually sank,
and, after three days’ illness, expired, on the 26th of September, 1820,
in the eighty-sixth year of his age.

He died calmly and peacefully, having no fear of death or the future
state of existence. He had never made any profession of religion, or
united with any church, but his entire life was a beautiful example of
the Golden Rule — “ Do unto others as you would that they should do
unto you.” In a letter to one of his sisters, written a short time
before his death, he said that he had always tried to live as an honest
and conscientious man should, and was perfectly willing to surrender
his soul to the discretion of a just God. His mind was hot such as
could lean upon simple faith or mere belief, but it required a well con¬
sidered reason for everything, and he died the death of a philosopher

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

rather than that of a Christian. His death was like the sleep of an
infant — quiet, peaceful and serene.

The remains of the departed pioneer were sorrowfully placed in
the coffin he had prepared, and conveyed, the next day, to the home
of Mr. Flanders Callaway. The news of his decease had spread rap¬
idly, and a vast concourse of people collected on the day of the fu¬
neral to pay their last respects to the distinguished and beloved dead.

The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. James Craig, a son-in-
law of Maj. Nathan Boone ; and the house being too small to accom¬
modate the immense concourse of people, the coffin was carried to a
large barn near the house, into which the people crowded to listen to
the funeral services. At their close the coffin was borne to the cem¬
etery and sadly deposited in the grave that had been prepared for it,
close by the side of Mrs. Boone.

At the time of Boone’s death the Constitutional Convention of Mis¬
souri was in session at St. Louis, and upon receipt of the intelligence
a resolution was offered by Hon. Benjamin Emmons, of St. Charles,
that the members wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days,
in respect to the memory of the deceased, and adjourn for one day.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.

The Boone family were noted for longevity. George Boone, a
brother of Daniel, died in Shelby county, Ky., in November, 1820, at
the age of 83 ; Samuel, another brother, died at the age of 88 ; Jon¬
athan at 86 ; Mrs. Wilcox, a sister, at 91 ; Mrs. Grant, another
sister, at 84, and Mrs. Smith, a third sister, at 84. There is no
record of the deaths of the rest of Boone’s brothers and sisters, except
those given heretofore, but they all lived to be old men and women.

When Col. Boone made choice of a place of burial for himself and
family, and was so particular to enjoin his friends, if he died from
home, to remove his remains to the hill near Teuque, he did not anti¬
cipate an event which occurred a quarter of a century after his death
and which resulted in the remains of himself and wife finding their
last resting place on the banks of the Kentucky river, in the land he
loved so well.

The citizens of Frankfort had prepared a tasteful rural cemetery,
and, at a public meeting, decided that the most appropriate consecra¬
tion of the ground would be the removal of the remains of Daniel
Boone and his wife. The consent of the surviving relatives was
obtained, and in the summer of 1845, a deputation of citizens, con¬
sisting of Hon. John J. Crittenden, Mr. William Boone and Mr.
Swaggat, came to Missouri on the steamer Daniel Boone for the

100

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

purpose of exhuming the relics and conveying them back to Ken¬
tucky.

The graves were situated on land belonging to Mr. Harvey Gris¬
wold, who at first objected to the removal, as he intended to build a
monument over them, and beautify the place. Mr. Griswold was
supported in his objections by a number of influential citizens, who
claimed that Missouri had as much right to the remains of Daniel
Boone as Kentucky, especially as the old pioneer had selected the
location of his grave and had given such particular instructions in
regard to his being buried there.

C O

The gentlemen from Kentucky finally carried their point, however,
and on the 17th of July, 1845, the remains of Daniel Boone and his
wife were removed from their graves. The work was done by King
Bryan, Henry Angbert and Jeff. Callaway, colored. Mrs. Boone’s
coffin was found to be perfectly sound and the workmen had but lit¬
tle difficulty in removing it; but Col. Boone’s coffin was entirely de¬
cayed and the remains had to be picked out of the dirt by which they
were surrounded. One or two of the smaller bones were found
afterward, and kept by Mr. Griswold as relics.

The remains were placed in new coffins prepared for their recep¬
tion and conveyed to Kentucky, where they were re-interred with
appropriate ceremonies, in the cemetery at Frankfort, on the 20th
of August, 1845. A vast concourse of people from all parts of the
State had collected to witness the ceremonies. An oration was
delivered by Hon. John J. Crittenden, and Mr. Joseph B. Wells, of
Missouri, made an appropriate address.

The graves on the hill near Teuque creek were never re-filled, but
remain to-day as they were left by the workmen, except that the
rains have partly filled them with dirt, and they are overgrown
with weeds and briars. Rough head stones had been carved bv Mr.
Jonathan Bryan, and placed at the heads of the graves. These were
thrown back on the ground, and are still lying there. Recently,
pieces of these stones have been chipped off and sent to Kentucky as
mementoes.

We have dwelt at some length upon the name of Louis Blanchette,
because he was the first white man (though a foreigner) to take up
his abode upon the soil of St. Charles county. We have given also a
brief sketch of the Boone family, because they were the first American
settlers. Blanchette posed as the head and front — the standard-
bearer of the first era of civilization, and the Boone family as the
advanced guard — the pioneers of the second era which dawned upon

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

101

this land of savage ferocity and indolence. They came at two distinct
periods; the first in 1769, and the latter in 1795, there being an in¬
terval of twenty-six years between the dates of the first and second
settlements. It was not, however, until the Boones had come that
the white man dared to isolate himself from the sight of the Spanish
flag which floated over the military post at St. Charles. After 1795
the county proper began to settle up, the first pioneers locating in
Darst’ s Bottom in Femme Osage township, and thence in other town¬
ships, until, in the course of a few years, every municipal and con¬
gressional township and every inhabitable nook and corner of the
county contained a white man’s cabin. The old pioneers of Daniel
Boone’s time have long since crossed the river, and are with their com¬
rades on the other shore. But few of the veterans and graybeards
of a later date are now living ; those remaining mav be counted on the
fingers of one hand. A few more years of waiting and watching and
they, too, will have joined —

“ The innumerable caravan, that moves
To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death.”

Fresh hillocks in the cemetery will soon be all the marks that will
be left of a race of giants who grappled nature in her fastness and
made a triumphant conquest in the lace of the greatest privations,
disease and difficulty. The shadows that fall upon their tombs as time
recedes are like the smoky haze that enveloped the prairies in the
early days, saddening the memory and giving to dim distance only a
faint and phantom outline, to which the future will often look back and
wonder at the great hearts that lie hidden under the peaceful canopy.

Below we give the names of the pioneers of the county, beginning
with those of Femme Osage township : — •

No. of Grant.

Acres.

No. of Grant.

Acres.

John Bell . . .

. . 1,721

382

John Little Johns

. . 1,792

640

Daniel Boone .

. . 1,646

450

S. Hammond . .

. . 476

825

Daniel M. Boone .

. . 20

510

Joseph Haynes

. . 14

170

Nathan Boone . .

. . 1,794

680

John Lindsay .

. . 59

425

G. Buchanan . .

. . 1,72

340

William Hays . .

. . 1,670

510

Jonathan Bryan .

. . 301

527

H. McLaughlin

. . 44

510

James Clay . . .

. . 138

279

McCourtney . .

. . 475

340

Jeremiah Clay . .

. . 300

382

J. McMitchell

. . 384

595

John Crow . .

. . 438

382

Adam Martin . .

. . 1,673

510

Henry Crow . .

. . 62

340

Thomas Smith

. . 303

680

David Darst, Sr. .

. .. 18

510

Perceley’s Representatives 937

640

David Darst . .

. . 1,643

224

John Watkins . .

. . 1,735

680

James Davis . .

. . 970

340

Isaac Van Bibber

. . 19

340

Joshua Dodson .

' . . 208

340

James Van Bibber

. . 1,793

362

Isa Darst. . . .

. 1,644

297

John Zumwalt

. . 1,246

640

102

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.

No of Grant.

Acres.

No. of Grant.

Acres.

Louis Baby . .

2,943

160

James Green .

. . 29

680

Bernard Etrenne .

762

425

A. Janis . . .

. . 30

• • •

John Cook . . .

291

640

John Journey .

. . 743

510

Peter Chouteau .

1,779

640

Peter Lewis .

. . 2,610

204

Peter Chouteau .

2,982

1,396

James Mitchell

. . 1,806

547

John Coontz . .

285

510

William McConnel

. . 292

• • •

T. Coulk . . .

311

340

Pepin Etrenne .

. . 3,277

1,361

Thomas Coulk .

127

255

James Piper

. . 1,775

680

T. Cerre . . .

• • •

Michael Rybolt

. . 979

640

Jacque Clamorgan

1,198

907

Robert Spencer

. . 1,799

640

T. Coulk ....

312

340

William Stewart

. . 16

340

Francis Duquette

308

221

G. Spencer . .

. . 165

382

Francis Duquette

1,668

340

Francis Smith

. . 280

• • •

Francis Duquette

240

Francis Saucier

. . 3,281

850

Francis Duquette

1,667

340

John Tayon

. . 205

340

George Girty . .

3,138

640

Peter Teaque .

. . 1,784

680

James Flaugherty

• • •

Nick Tirart

. . 2,580

170

Elisha Goodrich .

657

340

DARDENNE TOWNSHIP.

No. of Grant.

Acres.

No. of Grant. Acres.

Perry Brown .

296

493

Milton Lewis .

. . 1,771

299

J. Beatty . .

991

640

David Miracle

. . 168

340

Warren Cottle

354 & 753

640

William McConnel

. . 292

680

Coontz . . .

739

640

John McConnel

. . 1,785

640

Ira Cottle . .

353

340

John Rourke .

3,225 & 260

640

Nich. Coontz .

340

Rutgers . . .

. . 1,669

5,908

P. Chouteau .

. 1,704

433

Na. Simmonds

. . 1,776

255

Grojean . . .

460

170

John Scott . .

. . 1,690

428

Francis Howell

887

640

Joseph St. Mary

. . 2,526

160

George Hoffman

293

340

John A. Smith

. . 735

640

P. Hoffman

255

Teaque . . .

. . 174

640

George Hoffman

. 1,787

640

Joseph Weldon

. . 280

340

John Howell .

453

344

John Weldon .

. . 1,796

425

Newton Howell

279

Christ Wolf .

. . 948

640

James Kerr

. 1,641

1,020

John Walker .

. . 67

340

Godfrey Krah .

424

510

Joseph Yoisard

. . 1,786

640

George Gatty .

290

382

Ad. Zumwalt .

. . 296

493

CUIYRE

TOWNSHIP.

No. of Gi'ant.

Acres.

No. of Grant.

Acres .

J. Baker . . .

•

. 2,573

212

Silvanus Cottle

•

. . 756

(arp.) 500

David Conrad

•

. 1,783

640

G. Fallis . .

•

. . 456

350

Bernard Praft

and

Win. Farnsworth

. . 754

640

Beauchemin .

•

• • • •

1,361

August Giles

. . 888

640

Jacob Cottle .

•

. 755

640

Benjamin Jones

. . 935

640

Lewis Crow .

• •

. 1,777

640

A. Keithley

. . 1,781

(arp.) 300

William Craig

• •

889

640

S. Lewis . .

•

. . 1,782

* 640

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY. 103

No. of Grant.

Acres .

No. of Grant ,

Acres.

M. Lewis .

929

552

J. Wealthy . . .

340

C. A. Macay ....

429

H. Zumwalt , . .

. 413

737

Redenhour McCrow .

149

• • •

Ad. Zumwalt . .

. 294

510

Fr. Hostetfcer . . .

• • •

425

C. Zumwalt . . .

167

Daniel McCoy . . .

386

300

J. Zumwalt . . .

. 287

'arp.) 350

John McCoy ....

145

382

CALLAWAY

TOWNSHIP.

No. of Grant.

Acres.

No. of Grant.

Acres.

David Baldridge . .

738

640

J. Baldridge . . .

931

340

Robert Baldridge . .

1,807

640

M. Baldridge . . .

297

640

William Crow ....

891

640

Leonard Price . .

552

Andrew Edwards . . .

738

640

John Parett . . .

• • • •

552

David Edwards . . .

1,807

640

Arend Rutgers . .

. 1,669

6,908

David Kiehlie . . .

947

640

P. Zumwalt . . .

. 53

300

David Keishler . . .

418

510

PORTAGE

TOWNSHIP.

No. of Grant.

Acres.

No.

of Gi'ant.

Acres.

Antoine Barada, assignee

Louis Lebaume . .

. 1,838

9,752

of Thos. Guinn . .

1,741

680

Thomas Mitchell . .

. 1,806

547

Alex. Clark .

1,810

262

James Piper . . .

382

H. Crosby .

309

510

Eleazar Patterson

. 2,442

640

Samuel Griffith . . .

340

Antoine Pricur . .

. 1,692

680

Samuel Griffith . . .

744

640

G. S. Spencer . . .

454

212

W. Gilbert .

307

425

Francis Saucier . .

. 1,703

850

John Ferry .

1,671

680

John A. Seitz . . .

. 1,730

680

Isaac Fallis ....

455

510

Chas. Sanguinette .

. 1,765

3,692

John Ferry .

1,667

680

THE GERMAN IMMIGRATION.

In 1824-25 an educated and intelligent German named Gottfried
Duden, came to America and traveled extensively over our country,
observing our climate, soil and productions, and taking notes of our
manners, customs, laws, etc. He spent nearly a year in the region of
country embraced in the counties of St. Charles, Warren and Mont¬
gomery, traveling under the guidance of Daniel M. Boone and others,
whom he paid liberally for their services.

He was highly pleased with the country and the people whom he
found here, and upon his return to Germany wrote and published a
book of 350 pages, giving a complete history of our laws, forms of
government, etc., with a thorough description of the portions of
country that he had visited. The book had an immense sale and he
became wealthy from the proceeds.

In a f§w years the effect of his writings began to be manifest by the

104

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

arrival of German immigrants, preceded by a few educated and wealthy
men who came in advance to prepare the way for them. Each family
had a copy of Duden’s book, and so accurate were his descriptions of
places and names that they knew the farms and the names of their
owners as they came to them.

They expected not only to find an abundance of game and wild
animals of all kinds — in which they were not disappointed — but also
to be under the necessity of defending their homes against the attacks
of the savages ; and hence they came prepared with swords, muskets,
pistols, etc. It was no uncommon thing to see a stout burgher
marching at the head of his family with an immense saber buckled
around his portly form and a musket or portentous yager resting
upon his broad shoulders. But they soon beat their swords into
plowshares and used their fire-arms to kill squirrels, turkeys, deer
and other game with which the country abounded.

The Americans rejoiced at their coming, and extended to them a
hearty welcome, for they brought with them money, which the coun¬
try greatly needed just at that time, bought lands, and proved to be
honest, industrious, thriftv citizens. Thev also introduced the me-

7 %j J

chanical arts of an older country, and manufactured many useful
articles that had before been unknown to the Americans.

Louis Eversman came with Duden, traveled with him, and remained
when the latter returned to Europe ; so that he was the first German
settler in this part of Missouri. He married a Miss McLane, bought
a farm in Warren county, raised an intelligent family, and became a
prominent and influential citizen.

Most of the first immigrants were from Hespers, Germany, and they
arrived in 1833. They came in societies or companies, which bore
the names of their native places in Germany. The Berlin Society
was composed of the following families : Charles Madler, Charles A.
Miller, William and Ferdinand Roach, Henry Walks, Henry Seitz,
Louis, William and Conrad Haspes, August Rixrath, Jerry Schieper,
Daniel Renner, Justus Muhnn and his two brothers, Charles Lipross,
Philip Renner, Jacob Sack, Henry Schaa, Harmon Stuckhofi*, and
Charles V. Spankern. Most of these settled in the western part of
St. Charles county, in the vicinity of Augusta. Other families came
about the same time, amongst whom were : Charles Wincker, George
H. Mindrup (who served as judge of the county court of St. Charles
county four years), Frederick Wincker (who was postmaster at
Augusta for some time), Bernhard and Henry Stuckhofi*, Arnold
Vaelkerding, William, August and Julius Sell art, Francis Krekel

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

105

(father of Judge Arnold Krekel), and Julius, Emile, Herman and
Conrad Mallinckrodt. The Mallinckrodts were all well educated, and
became influential citizens in the communities where they settled.
They studied the English language before they came to America,
but the pronunciation was incorrect, and when they arrived in this
country they were mortified to find that they could not converse with
our people until they had unlearned the English which had been taught
them in Germany. When Julius Mallinckrodt arrived in St. Louis,
he met a man in the street, and desiring to make some inquiries of
him, be addressed him in what he supposed to be the English language,
but the man could not understand him. He then addressed him in
German, and then in Latin, but he still could not understand. By
this time they were both excited and beginning to grow angry, when
Mallinckrodt exclaimed in a fit of desperation, “ Pctrles-vous Frangais ,
Monsieur? ” Instantly the man threw his arms around his neck and
embraced him, while tears of joy ran down his cheeks. He proved
to be a Frenchman who had just arrived in the city, and, like Mal¬
linckrodt, could not find anv one with whom he could converse. The
latter spoke French almost as fluently as he did his mother tongue,
and a warm friendship, which lasted for years, at once sprang up
between the two strangers in a strange land.

In 1834 the Gissen Society arrived. It was under charge of Hon.
Frederick Muench, who still resides in Warren count}7, and besides being
a man of great local influence, is a writer and author of some renown.
He has been a member of the Legislature and State Senate several
times, and is everywhere recognized as a man of ability and a pro¬
found thinker and philosopher. He was born and raised in the prov¬
ince of Upper Hesse, in Prussia, and educated for the ministry. He
was pastor of a Protestant Liberal Church in Germany 13 years, and
in 1834 he organized the Gissen Society from among the members of
his congregation, and came to America. In the Society were the fol¬
lowing families : Gotlieb Beng, John Kessler, Jacob Jeude, Frederick
Beck, Dr. Frederick Kruge, Henry Becker, Charles Kesel, Jonathan
Kunze, Mr. Guhlemann, Frederick Feach, Andrew and Louis Klug,
Pressner Goepel (whose son Gelt afterward represented Franklin
county in both houses of the Legislature), Frederick Bruche (whose
son Henry represented Cape Girardeau county in the Legislature),
and Augustus Kroell, who was pastor of a German Protestant Church
in Cincinnati at the time of his death. The above families settled
in the eastern part of Warren and western portion of St. Charles
counties, where they and their descendants still reside. Their religious

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

101)

belief is rational. They discard all miracles and the doctrine of
atonement through the blood of Christ, believing that we make our
own future condition by the life we live here, receiving punishment
for our evil deeds and rewards for our good ones. They accept
Christ as a good man and a great teacher, but do not believe that he
was divine.

Some time after the arrival of the Gissen Society, the following
families came: Jacob and Frederick Ahmann, Charles Winkelmeir,
Frederick and Erasmus Hieronymus, Ulmfers and Frederick Blantink,
Erastus Grabbs (who became a merchant, postmaster, and justice of
the peace in Marthasville, Warren county), William Barez (who was
a banker in Berlin and a very intelligent man), George Muench, Henry
and George Berg, Mr. Fuhr and his five sons, John Miller, Heniy
Dickhouse, Harmon Lucas and his brother, Henry and Luke Hermann,
Mr. Tuepperts, and Mr. Oberhellmann.

In 1833 the following families settled in St. Charles county, in and
near Dog Prairie, all of whom were from Prussia : Antone Arens
(whose wife was Amelia Ostoman, and the names of their children
were Joseph, Sophia, Antone, Amelia and Theodore), Joseph Floar,
Joseph and John Shoane, Francis Moledor and his two sons, Frank
and Casper, Anton Stahlsmidth, John Freymuth, Mr. Mescheda (who
came in 1837), Alexander Arens, Joseph Stahlsmidth, John Heidel-
mann, Frederick Loebecke, Andrew Sali, and Baltasar Yetsch, who
came from the province of Alsace.

Most of the Germans who came to America with money, lost it by
injudicious speculations in lands, but those who came poor generally
prospered on their small beginnings, and soon became money-loaners
and land-owners. Many of them became wealthy, and left large fam¬
ilies in affluent circumstances. No other race of people ever did
more for the development of a country, or made better or more thrifty
citizens. They caused barren hillsides to blossom with grape vines
and fruit trees, and opened large farms in the midst of dense forests.
Swamps and marshes were drained, and fertile fields took the place of
stagnant ponds that for years had sent out their miasmas to poison
the atmosphere of the surrounding country and breed fevers, chills
and pestilence. Villages and towns sprang up where solitude had
previously reigned, and the liberal arts began to flourish. The
country received a new impetus, and prosperity smiled upon the
people.

Many of the descendants of those early German families have be¬
come influential and leading men, in politics, letters, sciences, arts

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

107

and commerce. Among this class mav be mentioned the children of
Francis Krekel, several of whom have become distinguished through
their own efforts and perseverance. Judge Arnold Krekel, of the
United States District Court, has gained a reputation that is national,
and when we consider the difficulties that he had to contend against,
we can not do otherwise than accord to him an unusual degree of
talent and energy.

He was about 16 years of age when his father arrived in Missouri,
his mother having died of cholera on the route. He could neither
speak nor understand a word of the English language, but at once
began the study of it, and was soon able to converse intelligibly with
his American neighbors. He worked as a farm hand, and made rails
at 25 cents per 100, until he obtained money enough to pay his ex¬
penses at school, when he went to St. Charles and became a student
in St. Charles College. He graduated at that institution, studied law,
and began to practice in the city of St. Charles. He was successful
from the start and soon gained both distinction and wealth. His sub¬
sequent history is familiar to the people of the State, and need not be
given here.

His father was a devout Catholic, and several of his brothers are
members of that church, but he embraced liberal views in religious
matters at a very early age, and though perhaps not an infidel in the
real meaning of that word, he does not believe in the divine origin of
the Bible or the biblical account of creation.

His early views with regard to the origin of man were somewhat
peculiar, but we can not say whether he still entertains the same
opinions or not. Being asked one day how he would account for the
existence of man if he discarded the biblical theory, he replied that he
supposed there was a place in some remote country where, the soil
and elements being favorable, man germinated and grew like the
vegetable productions of the earth, and afterward developed from
that imperfect state into his present condition. The Judge would
hardly advance such an idea now, but he doubtless still believes in
the natural and scientific theory of the creation of man rather than
the scriptural.

CHAPTER II.

EXPERIENCES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.

The experience of the early pioneers of this county goes far to
confirm the theory that, after all, happiness is pretty evenly balanced
in this world. They had their privations and hardships, but the}7- had
also their own peculiar joys. If they were poor, they were free from
the burden of pride and vanity ; free also from the anxiety and care
that always attends the possession of wealth. Other people’s eyes
cost them nothing. If they had few neighbors, they were on the best
of terms with those they had. Envy, jealousy and strife had not
crept in. A common interest and a common sympathy bound them
together with the strongest ties. Thev were a little world to them-
selves, and the good feeling that prevailed was all the stronger because
they were so far removed from the great world of the East.

Among these pioneers there was realized such a community of
interest that there existed a community of feeling. There were no
castes, except an aristocracy of benevolence, and no nobility, except
a nobility of generosity. They were bound together with such a
strong bond of sympathy, inspired by the consciousness of common
hardship, that they were practically communists.

Neighbors did not even wait for an invitation or request to help one
another. Was a settler’s cabin burned or blown down? No sooner
was the fact known throughout the neighborhood than the settlers
assembled to assist the unfortunate one to rebuild his home. They
came with as little hesitation, and with as much alacrity, as though they
were all members of the same family and bound together by ties of
blood. One man’s interest was every other man’s interest. Now,
this general state of feeling among the pioneers was by no means
peculiar to these counties, although it was stronglv illustrated here.
It prevailed generally throughout the West during the time of the
(108)'

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

109

early settlement. The very nature of things taught the settlers the
necessity of dwelling together in this spirit. It was their only protec¬
tion. They had come far away from the well established reign of law,
and entered a new country, where civil authority was still feeble and
totally unable to afford protection and redress grievances. Here the
settlers lived some little time before there was an officer of the law in
the county. Each man’s protection was in the good will and friend¬
ship of those about him, and the thing that any man might well dread
was the ill will of the community. It was more terrible than the law.
It was no uncommon thing in the early times for hardened men, who
had no fears of jails or penitentiaries, to stand in great fear of the in¬
dignation of a pioneer community. Such were some of the character¬
istics of St. Charles county.

HOUSE AND HOME COMFORTS.

The first buildings in the county were not just like the log cabins
that immediately succeeded them. The latter required some help and
a great deal of labor to build. The very first buildings constructed
were a cross between “ hoop cabins ” and Indian bark huts. As soon
as enough men could be got together for a “ cabin raising ” then log
cabins were in style. Many a pioneer can remember the happiest time
of his life as that when he lived in one of these homely but comfort¬
able old cabins.

A window with sash and glass was a rarity, and was an evidence of
wealth and aristocracy which but few could support. They were often
made with greased paper put over the window, which admitted a little
light, but more often there was nothing whatever over it, or the
cracks between the logs, without either chinking or daubing, were the
dependence for light and air. The doors were fastened with old-fash¬
ioned wooden latches, and for a friend, or neighbor, or traveler, the
string always hung out, for the pioneers of the West were hospitable
and entertained visitors to the best of their ability. It is noticeable
with what affection the pioneers speak of their old log cabins. It may
be doubted whether palaces ever sheltered happier hearts than those
homely cabins. The following is a good description of those old
landmarks, but few of which now remain : —

“ These were of round logs, notched together at the corners, ribbed
with poles and covered with boards split from a tree. A puncheon
floor was then laid down, a hole cut in the end and a stick chimney
run up. A clapboard door is made, a window is opened bv cutting
out a hole in the side or end two feet square and finished without

110

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

glass or transparency. The house is then ‘ chinked ’ and ‘ daubed r
with mud. The cabin is now ready to go into. The household and
kitchen furniture is now adjusted, and life on the frontier is begun in
earnest.

“ The one-legged bedstead, now a piece of furniture of the past,
was made by cutting a stick the proper length, boring holes at one end
one and a half inches in diameter, at right angles, and the same sized
holes corresponding with those in the logs of the cabin the length and
breadth desired for the bed, in which are inserted poles.

“ Upon these poles the clapboards are laid, or linn bark is inter¬
woven consecutively from pole to pole. Upon this primitive structure
the bed is laid. The convenience of a cook stove was not thought of,
but instead, the cooking was done by the faithful housewife in pots,
kettles or skillets, on and about the big hre-place, and very frequently
over and around, too, the distended pedal extremities of the legal
sovereign of the household, while the latter was indulging in the lux¬
uries of a cob-pipe and discussing the probable results of a contem¬
plated deer hunt on the Missouri or Mississippi rivers or some one of
their small tributaries.”

These log cabins were really not so bad after all.

The people of to-day, familiarized with “ Charter Oak ” cooking
stoves and ranges, would be ill at home were they compelled to pre¬
pare a meal with no other conveniences than those provided in a pioneer
cabin. Kude fire-places were built in chimneys composed of mud and
sticks, or, at best, undressed stone. These fire-places served for heat¬
ing and cooking purposes ; also, for ventilation. Around the cheerful
blaze of this fire the meal was prepared, and these meals were not so
bad, either. As elsewhere remarked, they were not such as would
tempt an epicure, but such as afforded the most healthful nourishment
for a race of people who were driven to the exposure and hardships
which were their lot. We hear of few dyspeptics in those days.
Another advantage of these cooking arrangements was that the stove-
pipe never fell down, and the pioneer was spared being subjected to
the most trying of ordeals, and one probably more productive of pro¬
fanity than any other.

Before the country became supplied with mills which were of easy
access, and even in some instances afterward, hominy-blocks were
used. They exist now only in the memory of the oldest settlers, but
as relics of the “long ago,” a description of them may not be unin¬
teresting : —

A tree of suitable size, say from eighteen inches to two feet in

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Ill

diameter, was selected in the forest and felled to the ground. If a
cross-cut saw happened to be convenient, the tree was “ butted,” that
is, the kerf end was sawed off, so that it would stand steady when
ready for use. If there was no cross-cut saw in the neighborhood,
strong arms and sharp axes were ready to do the work. Then the
proper length, from four to five feet, was measured off and sawed or
cut square. When this was done the block was raised on end and the
work of cutting out a hollow in one of the ends was commenced.
This was generally done with a common chopping ax. Sometimes a
smaller one was used. When the cavity was judged to be large
enough, a fire was built in it, and carefully watched till the ragged
edges were burned away. When completed the hominy-block some¬
what resembled a druggist’s mortar. Then a pestle, or something to
crush the corn, was necessary. This was usually made from a suitably
sized piece of timber, with an iron wedge attached, the large end
down. This completed the machinery, and the block was ready for
use. Sometimes one hominy-block accommodated an entire neigh¬
borhood and was the means of staying the hunger of many mouths.

In giving the bill of fare above we should have added meat, for of
this they had plenty. Deer would be seen daily trooping over the
prairie in droves of from 12 to 20, and sometimes as many as 50
would be seen grazing together. Elk were also found, and wild tur¬
keys and prairie chickens without number. Bears were not un¬
known. Music of the natural order was not wanting, and every night
the pioneers were lulled to rest by the screeching of panthers and the
howling of wolves. When the dogs ventured too far out from the
cabins at night, they would be driven back by the wolves chasing
them up to the very cabin doors. Trapping wolves became a very
profitable business after the State began to pay a bounty for wolf
scalps.

All the streams of water also abounded in fish, and a good supply
of these could be procured by the expense of a little time and labor.
Those who years ago improved the fishing advantages of the country
never tire telling of the dainty meals which the streams afforded.
Sometimes large parties would get together, and, having been pro¬
vided with cooking utensils and facilities for camping out, would go
off some distance and spend weeks together. No danger then of be¬
ing ordered off a man’s premises or arrested for trespass. One of the
peculiar circumstances that surrounded the early life of the pioneers
was a strange loneliness. The solitude seemed almost to oppress

112

HISTORV OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

them. Months would pass during which they would scarcely see a
human face outside their own families.

On occasions of special interest, such as election, holiday celebra¬
tions, or camp-meetings, it was nothing unusual for a few settlers who
lived in the immediate neighborhood of the meeting to entertain scores
of those who had come from a distance.

Rough and rude though the surroundings may have been, the
pioneers were none the less honest, sincere, hospitable and kind in
their relations. It is true, as a rule, and of universal application, that
there is a greater degree of real humanity among the pioneers of any
country than there is when the country becomes old and rich. If
there is an absence of refinement, that absence is more than compen¬
sated in the presence of generous hearts and truthful lives. They are
bold, industrious and enterprising. Generally speaking, they are
earnest thinkers, and possessed of a diversified fund of useful, prac¬
tical information. As a rule they do not arrive at a conclusion by
means of a course of rational reasoning, but, nevertheless, have a
queer way at getting at the facts. They hate cowards and shams of
every kind, and above all things, falsehoods and deception, and culti¬
vate an integrity which seldom permits them to prostitute themselves
to a narrow policy of imposture. Such were the characteristics of the
men and women who pioneered the way to the country of the Sacs
and Foxes. A few of them yet remain, and although some of their
descendants are among the wealthy and most substantial of the people
of the county, they have not forgotten their old time hospitality and
free and easy ways. In contrasting the present social affairs with
pioneer times, one has well said : —

“Then, if a house was to be raised, every man ‘ turned out,’ and
often the women, too, and while the men piled up the logs that fash¬
ioned the primitive dwelling-place, the women prepared the dinner.
Sometimes it was cooked by big log fires near the site where the cabin
was building ; in other cases it was prepared at the nearest cabin, and
at the proper hour was carried to where the men were at work. If
one man in the neighborhood killed a beef, a pig or a deer, every
other family in the neighborhood was sure to receive a piece.

“We were all on an equality. Aristocratic feelings were unknown,
and would not have been tolerated. What one bad we all had, and
that was the happiest period of my life. But to-day, if you lean
against a neighbor’s shade tree he will charge you for it. If you are
poor and fall sick, you may lie and suffer almost unnoticed and unat¬
tended, and probably go to the poor-house ; and just as like as not the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

113

man who would report you to the authorities as a subject of county
care would charge the county for making the report.”

Of the old settlers, some are still living in the county in the enjoy¬
ment of the fortunes they founded in early times, “ having reaped an
hundredfold.” Nearly all, however, have passed away. A few of
them have gone to the far West, and are still playing the part of
pioneers. But wherever they may be, whatever fate may betide
them, it is but truth to say that they were excellent men as a class,
and have left a deep and enduring impression upon the county and the
State. “ They builded better than they knew.” They were, of
course, men of activity and energy, or they would never have decided
to face the trials of pioneer life. The great majority of them were
poor, but the lessons taught them in the early days were of such a
character that few of them have remained so. They made their mis¬
takes in business pursuits like other men. Scarcely one of them but
allowed golden opportunities, for pecuniary profit, at least, to pass
by unheeded. What now are some of the choicest farms in St.
Charles county were not taken up by the pioneers, who preferred
land of very much less value. They have seen many of their prophe¬
cies fulfilled, and others come to naught. Whether they have at¬
tained the success they desired, their own hearts can tell.

To one looking over the situation then, from the standpoint now, it
certainly does not seem very cheering, and yet, from the testimony of
some old pioneers, it was a most enjoyable time, and we of the present
live in degenerate days.

At that time it certainly would have been much more difficult for
those old settlers to understand how it could be possible that sixty-
five years hence the citizens of the present age of the county’s pro¬
gress would be complaining of hard times and destitution, and that
they themselves, perhaps, would be among that number, than it is
now for us to appreciate how they could feel so cheerful and con¬
tented with their meager means and humble lot of hardships and de¬
privations during those early pioneer days.

The secret was, doubtless, that they lived within their means, how¬
ever limited, not coveting more of luxury and comfort than their in¬
come would afford, and the natural result was prosperity and con¬
tentment, with always room for one more stranger at the fireside, and
a cordial welcome to a place at their table for even the most hungry
guest.

Humanity, with all its ills, is, nevertheless, fortunately character¬
ized with remarkable flexibility, which enables it to accommodate

114

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

itself to circumstances. After all, the secret of happiness lies in one’s
ability to accommodate himself to his surroundings.

It is sometimes remarked that there were no places for public enr
tertainment till later years. The truth is, there were many such
places; in fact, every cabin was a place of entertainment, and these
hotels were sometimes crowded to their utmost capacity. On such
occasions, when bedtime came, the first family would take the back
part of the cabin, and so continue filling up by families until the limit
\fas reached. The young men slept in the wagon outside. In the
morning, those nearest the door arose first and went outside to dress.
Meals were served on the end of a wagon, and consisted of corn
bread, buttermilk, and fat pork, and occasionally coffee, to take away
the morning chill. On Sundays, fora change, they had bread made
of wheat “ tramped out” on the ground by horses, cleaned with a
sheet, and pounded by hand. This was the best the most fastidious
could obtain, and this only one day in seven. Not a moment of time
was lost. It was necessary that they should raise enough sod corn to
take them through the coming winter, and also get as much breaking
done as possible. They brought with them enough corn to give the
horses an occasional feed, in order to keep them able for hard work,
but in the main they had to live on prairie grass. The cattle got
nothing else than grass.

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

An interesting comparison might be drawn between the conven¬
iences which now make the life of a farmer comparatively an easy one,
and the almost total lack of such conveniences in early days. A brief
description of the accommodations possessed by the tillers of the soil
will now be given.

Let the children of such illustrious sires draw their own compari¬
sons, and may the results of these comparisons silence the voice of
complaint which so often is heard in the land.

The only plows they had at first were what they styled “bull
plows.” The mold-boards were generally of wood, but in some cases
they were half wood and half iron. The man who had one of the lat¬
ter description was looked upon as something of an aristocrat. But
these old “ bull plows ” did good service, and they must be awarded
the honor of first stirring the soil of St. Charles county, as well as
that of the oldest counties of the State.

The amount of money which some farmers annually invest in agri¬
cultural implements would have kept the pioneer, farmer in farming

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

115

utensils daring a whole lifetime. The pioneer farmer invested little
money in such things, because he had little money to spare, and then
again because the expensive machinery now used would not have been
at all adapted to the requirements of pioneer farming. “ The bull-
plow” was probably better suited to the fields abounding in stumps
and roots than would the modern sulky plow have been, and the old-
fashioned wheat cradle did better execution than would a modern
harvester under like circumstances. The prairies were seldom settled
till after the pioneer period, and that portion of the country which
was the hardest to put under cultivation, and the most difficult to
cultivate after it was improved, first was cultivated; it was well for
the country that such was the case, for the present generation, famil¬
iarized as it is with farming machinery of such complicated pattern,
would scarcelv undertake the clearing; off of dense forests and culti-
vating the ground with the kind of implements their fathers used, and
which they would have to use for some kinds of work.

MILLS AND TRADING POINTS.

Notwithstanding the fact that some of the early settlers were ener¬
getic millwrights, who employed all their energy and what means
they possessed, in erecting mills at a few of the many favorite mill-
sites which abound in the county, yet going to mill in those days,
when there were no roads, no bridges, no ferry boats, and scarcely
any conveniences for traveling, was no small task, where so many
rivers and treacherous streams were to be crossed, and such a trip
was often attended with great danger to the traveler when these
streams were swollen beyond their banks. But even under these cir¬
cumstances, some of the more adventurous and more ingenious ones, in
case of emergency, found the ways and means by which to cross the
swollen stream, and succeed in making the trip. At other times
again, all attempts failed them, and they were compelled to remain
at home until the waters subsided, and depend on the generosity
of their fortunate neighbors.

Some stories are related with regard to the danger, perils and hard¬
ships of forced travel to mills, and for provisions, which remind one
of forced marches in military campaigns, and when we hear of the
heroic and daring conduct of the hardy pioneers in procuring bread
for their loved ones, we think that here were heroes more valiant than
any of the renowned soldiers of ancient or modern times.

During the first two years, and perhaps not until some time after¬
ward, there was not a public highway established and worked on which

116

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

they could travel ; and as the settlers were generally far apart, and
mills and trading points were at great distances, going from place to
place was not only very tedious, but attended sometimes with great
danger. Not a railroad had yet entered the State, and there was
scarcely a thought in the minds of the people here of such a thing ever
reaching the wild West; and, if thought of, people had no concep¬
tion of what a revolution a railroad and telegraph line through the
county would cause in its progress. Then there was no railroad in
the United States, not a mile of track on the continent; while now
there are over 100,000 miles of railroad extending their trunks and
branches in every direction over our land.

Supplies in those days were obtained at St. Louis. Mail was car¬
ried by horses and wagon transportation, and telegraph dispatches
were transmitted by the memory and lips of emigrants coming in or
strangers passing through.

The first mill was built in the county in 1801, and was known as
Jonathan Bryan’s mill, situated on a small branch that empties
into the Femme Osage creek. At first the mill onlv ground
corn, which had to be sifted after it was ground, as there were
no bolts in the mill. The mill had no gearing, the buhrs being
located over the wheel, and running with the same velocity as the
wheel. It was a frame mill, one story high, and had a capacity of
6 to 10 bushels a day. People came from far and near, attracted by
the reports of the completion of the mill, with their grists, so that,
for days before it was ready for work, the creek bottom was dotted
over with hungry and patient men, waiting until it was ready to do
their work, so that they might return with their meal and flour to
supply their families, and those of their neighbors, thus enduring the
hardships of camp life in those early days in order that they might
be able to secure the simple necessaries of life devoid of all luxuries.

Among the earliest water mills were Rutger’s, Cottle’s, Coon’s
Denny’s, Hoffman’s (situated on the Dardenne), Baldrige’s, Zum-
wTalt’s, Audrain’s, Mollitor’s (on the Peruque), Dibbit’s, Hay’s,
Taylor’s (on the Femme Osage), and McSpaddin’s, on Callaway’s
fork. : ;

EARLY HORSE MILLS.

One was near the residence of Francis Howell — a band mill.
IVilliam Crowe, Peter Hoffman, Isaac Fulkerson, Jonathan Bryan
and John Pittman were the owners and operators of horse mills.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

117

POWDER MILLS.

The first powder mill was erected oil Howell’s Prairie by P. K. Rob¬
bins ; Robert Beatty built a powder mill in Green’s Bottom, and a
man by the name of McSpaddin erected one near the Little Femme
Osage .

Francis Howell made gunpowder by hand and sold it at $.1 a
pound.

HUNTING AND TRAPPING.

The sports and means of recreation were not so numerous and varied
among the early settlers as at present, but they were more enjoyable
and invigorating than now.

Hunters nowadays would only be too glad to be able to find and
enjoy their favorable opportunity for hunting and fishing, and even
travel man}7 miles, counting it rare pleasure to spend a few weeks on
the water-courses and wild prairies, in hunt and chase and fishing frol¬
ics. There were a good many excellent hunters here at an early day,
who enjoyed the sport as well as any can at the present day.

Wild animals of almost every species known in the wilds of the West
were found in great abundance. The prairies and woods and streams
and various bodies of water were all thickly inhabited before the white
man came, and for some time afterward. Although the Indians slew
many of them, yet the natural law prevailed here as well as elsewhere —
“ wild men and wild beasts thrive together.”

Serpents were to be found in such large numbers, and of such im¬
mense size, that some stories told by the early settlers would be
incredible were it not for the large array of concurrent testimony,
which is to be had from the most authentic sources. Deer, turkeys,
ducks, geese, squirrels, and various other kinds of choice game were
plentiful, and to be had at the expense of killing only. The fur animals
were abundant; such as the otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon,
panther, fox, wolf, wild-cat and bear.

An old resident of the county told us that, in 1809, while he was
traveling a distance of six miles he saw as many as 73 deer, in herds
of from 6 to 10.

HUNTING BEE TREES.

Another source of profitable recreation among the old settlers was

that of hunting bees. The forests along the water-courses were

especially prolific of bee trees. They were found in great numbers

118

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

on all the streams in the county. Many of the early settlers, during
the late summer, would go into camp for days at a time, for the pur¬
pose of hunting and securing the honey of the wild bees, which was
not only extremely rich and found in great abundance, but always
commanded a good price in the home market.

The Indians have ever regarded the honey bee as the forerunner of
the white man, while it is a conceded fact that the quail always follows
the footprints of civilization.

The following passage is found in the “ Report of the Exploring
Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, in the year 1842, by Captain John
C. Fremont,” page 69 : —

“ Here on the summit, where the stillness was absolute, unbroken
by any sound, and the solitude complete, we thought ourselves beyond
the regions of animated life ; but while we were sitting on the rocks
a solitary bee came winging its flight from the eastern valley and lit on
the knee of one of the men. We pleased ourselves with the idea that
he was the first of his species to cross the mountain barrier, a solitary
pioneer to foretell the advance of civilization.”

Gregg, in his “ Commerce of the Prairies,” page 178, Yol. 1, says:
“ The honey bee appears to have emigrated exclusively from the east,
as its march has been observed westward. The bee, among Western
pioneers, is the proverbial precursor of the Anglo-American popula¬
tion. In fact, the aborigines of the frontier have generally corrobor¬
ated this statement, for they used to say that they knew the white man
was not far behind when the bees appeared among them.

There were other recreations, such as shooting matches and quilting
parties, which prevailed in those days, and which were enjoyed to the
fullest extent. The quilting parties were especially pleasant and
agreeable to those who attended. The established rule in those days
at these parties was to pay either one dollar in money or split one
hundred rails during the course of the day. The men would generally
split the rails, and the women would remain in the house and do the
quilting. After the day’s work was done the night would be passed
in dancing.]

All the swains that there abide
With jigs and rural dance resort.

When daylight came the music and dancing would cease, and the gal¬
lant young men would escort the fair ladies to their respective homes.

WOLVES.

One of the oldest pioneers tells us that for many years after he
came to what is now known as St. Charles county the wolves were

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

119

very numerous, and that he paid his taxes for many years in wolf
scalps. His cabin was at the edge of the timber that skirted Cuivre
river, and at night the howls of these animals were so loud and inces¬
sant that to sleep at times was almost impossible.

Often at midnight, all

“At once there rose so wild a yell,

Within that dark and narrow dell,

As all the fiends from heaven that fell,

Had pealed the banner cry of hell.”

At such times the whole air seemed to be filled with the vibrations of
their most infernal and diabolical music. The wolf was not only a
midnight prowler here, but was seen in the day-time, singly or in
packs, warily skulking upon the outskirts of a thicket, or sallying
cautiously along the open path with a sneaking look of mingled
cowardice and cruelty.

One among the most eccentric characters of early times in Missouri
was Major Jack A. S. Anderson. He was born in North Carolina,
but removed with his parents to Kentucky in 1770.

His father died in that State, and his mother and her children after¬
ward emigrated to Missouri. Jack received a good education, and
became a fine mathematician, surveyor and scribe. During the War
of 1812 he served as a major in Col. Dick Johnson’s regiment, and
was present in the battle of the Thames when his leader killed the
celebrated Tecumseh.

After his removal to Missouri he was employed by the government
to assist in surveying the territorial county of St. Charles, and in that
capacity became well known to the old settlers. His compass, a
bottle of whisky and his dogs were his inseparable and most beloved
companions. He dressed entirely in buck skin, and his hunting shirt
was filled with pockets, inside and out, in which he carried his papers
and other worldly possessions. He would often carry young puppies
in his pockets or the bosom of his shirt, while their mother trotted
behind or hunted game for her master to shoot. He paid no attention
to roads or paths but always traveled in a direct line to the place
where he was going, across creeks, hills, valleys, and through thick
woods. He was never known to sleep in a bed, preferring to lie on
the ground, or a puncheon floor, covered with a blanket or buffalo
robe. No one ever saw him smile, and his countenance always bore
a sad and melancholy expression. He was never married, and died
in old age, in destitute circumstances, in an old out-house two miles

120

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

south of Fulton. He was buried in Mr. Craighead's family grave-

O J o

yard. -A number of amusing anecdotes are related of this singular
character, a few of which we give in this connection.

One day Mr. Thomas Glenn, of Montgomery county, went to Flan¬
ders Callaway’s mill, on Teuque creek, with a sack of corn to be
ground into meal, and on his return home met Jack Anderson, who
accompanied him as far as Cuivre creek, which they found to be frozen
over. The ice was not strong enough to bear the weight of the horse,
so they slid the sack of meal over, and then started up the stream,
intending to cross higher up, where the water was so swift that it had
not frozen ; but Anderson purposely wandered around with his com¬
panion until he had confused and bewildered him, and then took him
on a long jaunt into Boone and Callaway counties, where they remained
about three weeks engaged in hunting, and when they returned they
were loaded down with game. They stopped one night at the house
of Mr. Thomas Harrison, who treated them in a very hospitable man¬
ner and gave them the best room in the house. During the night
Anderson got up and skinned several raccoons, and after having roasted
them he called his dogs in and fed the carcasses to them on the floor,
which of course ruined the carpet and greatly damaged the furniture.
Mr. Harrison, who felt outraged at the affair, charged them for the
damages, and as Anderson had no money, Glenn had to pay the bill.

During his wanderings, Anderson frequently stopped at the house
of Maj. Isaac Van Bibber, where he was always treated well and fared
sumptuously ; but on one occasion he stopped there late at night
when they happened to be out of meal, and he had to go to bed with¬
out his supper. He lay down upon the floor and pretended to be
asleep. Soon after a son-in-law of Van Bibber’s, named Hickerson,
who was living there, came in from a day’s hunt, almost famished,
having had nothing to eat during the day. He begged his wife to
sift the bran and see if she could get meal enough to bake him a hoe-
cake. She did as requested, made the cake and put it to bake in the
ashes of the fire. Anderson, who had observed the proceedings, now
arose, complaining that he could not sleep, owing to the disturbed
condition of his mind in regard to a survey he had made that day, in
which he could not find the corners. Pretending to illustrate the
matter, he took the Jacob staff of his compass and began to mark in
t he ashes, first cutting the cake into four equal parts, and then stir¬
ring it around and round until it was thoroughly mixed with the ashes.
Hickerson watched the operation with tears in his eyes, for he was
nearly starved, and when Anderson had retired again, he begged his

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

121

wife to go out and milk the cows and get him some milk to drink.
She did so, but on her return Anderson met her at the door : it being
very dark, she supposed he was her husband and gave him the milk,
which he drank, and went back to bed. This exhausted Hickerson’s
patience, and calling up his dogs he went into the woods and caught
a raccoon and roasted and ate it before he returned to the house,
swearing that old Jack Anderson should not beat him out of his. sup¬
per again.

Among the queer geniuses of early times was old Squire Colgin,
of St. Charles. He was a justice of the peace, and usually rendered
his decisions in a manner peculiar to himself, and the way he con¬
sidered right, without descending from his lofty prerogative to consult
the law. A man named Miller once sued a neighbor named Kirkpa¬
trick on an open account in Colgin’ s court. Colgin rendered judg¬
ment in favor of the plaintiff, and after the decision was given, Miller
thought of a buffalo robe he had sold Kirkpatrick, but which he had
forgotton to include in the bill. So he whispered to Colgin to make an
entry of it on the back of the judgment, which he did in the following
words : “ Mr. Miller says that Kirk (as he wrote it) got a buffalo skin
for $8, that he forgot to charge in the account, therefore, I, Daniel
Colgin, justice of the peace of this court, believe that Miller tells the
truth about the skin, and I do hereby put it down on the back of the
judgment, for to be collected at the same time the balance is paid.
Daniel Colgin, J. P.”

Kirkpatrick, very naturally, got mad at the decision, and said if he
were going to heaven and should see Miller coming too, he would
change his course and go the other place. Colgin considered this con¬
tempt of his court, and fined him $1.

Another case that was entered upon Colgin’s docket still further
manifested his peculiar sense of justice. Two citizens of St. Charles
had a quarrel about a piece of ice which one had sold the other, and
which fell short half a pound. While they were quarreling the ice
all melted awav, and the dealer went to Colgin and sued the other
man for the price of the ice, which was 6V4 cents. Colgin gave judg¬
ment in his favor, but made him pay half the costs (75 cents), because
he thought it was right that the costs should be divided between them
for being “ such blamed fools as to quarrel about a little piece of ice
that he could eat in five minutes any warm day.”

Colgin afterward removed to Cote Sans Dessein, in Callaway county,
where he and his son opened a store, which was the first store kept by
an American in that county.

122

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

The older citizens of St. Charles county will remember a rich
character known as Gen. Burdine, who resided in Dog Prairie at an
early date. He made his living by hunting and fishing, and was dis¬
tinguished for his eccentricities and the marvelous yarns he could tell
about his adventures in the woods. A few of these we give below, as
the General told them : —

He shot a buck, one day, and killed him so dead that he did not
fall, but remained standing until the General went up to him and pulled
him over bv the ear. On another occasion he was hunting on Cuivre
river, when he discovered a large, fat buck standing on the opposite
side, and on looking up into a tree, just over him, he saw a fine, large
turkey. He desired to kill both, but had only a single-barreled gun,
and knew that as soon as he shot one the other would leave. But a
happy thought struck him. He put another ball on top of the one
that was already in his gun, and with that he shot the turkey; then,
dropping the muzzle of his gun in the twinkling of an eye, he killed
the buck with the other ball. He now had to wade the river to get
his game, and in doing so caught the seat of his buckskin pants full of
fine fish, which he carried home along with his turkey and deer. An¬
other time while the General was hunting, he shot all his bullets away,
but happening to have a lot of shoemaker’s awls in his pocket, he
loaded his gun with them. Presently he saw three deer in a group,
and fired at them and killed two. The third one was pegged fast to a
tree by one of the awls, where he swung and kicked until the General
let him loose and took him home alive.

Late one very cold afternoon the General shot a buffalo on the bank
of a creek and removing the skin, he rolled himself up in it and lay
down and slept all night. Next morning the skin was frozen so hard
that he could not unroll himself or even get on his feet and he began
to think he would have to lie there and starve to death. But finally
he rolled himself down the bank of the creek and landed in a warm
spring, which soon thawed the skin until it was soft and he unrolled
himself and went home rejoicing. One day, before he was grown, the
General saw a wood-pecker fly into his hole in a tree and he climbed
up to catch him. When he put his hand into the hole, he caught a
black snake, which frightened him so badly that he let go his hold and
fell into the forks of the tree, where he became wedged in so tight
that he could not get out. He began to call for help and pretty soon
a boy came along whom he sent to get an ax to cut the tree down.
The bov did as he was directed and cut the tree so that it fell right
side up, and the General was saved.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

123

He had a pony named Ned, that he rode on all his hunting expedi¬
tions, and Ned was as smart a horse as any one could desire to see.
One day they came to a deep creek with steep banks, across which the
General felled a small sapling with his tomahawk, intending to walk
over and let Ned swim. But Ned winked one eye and smiled in his
peculiarly sly manner, as much as to say, “ Never mind, old fellow,
I’ll show you a trick worth knowing.” The General started across
holding the bridle in his hand, but when he reached the middle of the
creek he stopped and looked back to see how Ned was getting along,
when, to his amazement, he saw the pony walking the sapling after
him ! Ned shook his head and motioned for his master to go on, and
so they passed over in safety, without either of them getting wet.
Ned was a native of Kentucky and his master had owned him so long
that they felt like brothers. The pony was thoroughly trained in hunt¬
ing and was exceedingly fond of the sport. Whenever his master
killed a deer, he always insisted upon licking the blood.

The General once undertook to explain to a party of gentlemen the
manner in which the distance across Cuivre river could be measured
by an engineer. Said he: “You see, gentlemen, the surveyor first
gets a obligation across the stream, and sticks down his compass.
Then he leanders up or down the river, as the case may be, and gits
a nuther obligation from that ; then he leanders back to the first obli¬
gation and works it out by figgers. It’s simple enough,” added the
old General, “and I could do it myself, although I don’t know a
darned thing about figgers.”

His children were about as eccentric as himself. One of his sons,
whom he called Jim, was particularly noted for his oddities and the
number of singular scrapes that he managed to get himself into. In
early days the people sometimes amused themselves at an entertain¬
ment called a “ gander pulling,” which was something like the more
modern “ tournaments.” A suitable track having been cleared off,
a gander would be hung on a cross-bar, with his head down, and
just low enough so that a man on horseback could reach his out¬
stretched neck. Then the contestants would ride at full gallop under
the cross-bar, and the one who succeeded in pulling the gander’s head
off without losing his seat in his saddle, was declared the victor and
crowned accordingly. Jim went to one of these gander pullings one
day, on board of an old mule, which was so extremely lazy and slow
that he felt confident he would have plenty of time to “ pull the gan¬
der.” When his turn came he started in at a gait that was slow enough
to satisfy his brightest anticipations, and when he came under the
gander he laid hold of his head with a full determination never to let

124

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

go until victory crowned his efforts. But just at that moment some¬
body gave the old mule a sharp cut with a whip, and he made a lunge
forward and left Jim hanging in the air by the gander’s neck. The
old gander proved to be a tough one, and Jim had to let go without
wringing his coveted neck.

Jonathan Bryan built the first water-mill in Missouri, in 1801. It
was situated on a small spring branch that empties into Femme
Osage creek, in St. Charles county. The mill would grind from six
to ten bushels of grain in twenty-four hours, and for several years it
supplied the settlements from St. Charles to Loutre island with meal
and flour, the same stones grinding both wheat and corn. The flour
was bolted in a box, by hand, and they made a pretty good flour that
way. Mr. Bryan would fill the hopper with grain in the morning, and
the mill would grind on that until noon, when the hopper would again
be filled. The meal ran into a large pewter basin which sat on the
floor at the bottom of the stones. Daniel Boone was living at that
time with his son Nathan, about a mile from the mill, and he had an
old dog named Cuff* that used to go to the mill in Mr. Bryan’s absence
and lick the meal out of the basin as fast as it ran from the spout.
When it did not run fast enough to suit him he would sit down and

howl«and bark, and one day Mr. Bryan heard him and hastened to the
mill to see what was the matter. He soon discovered where his meal
had been going, and after that he exchanged the pewter basin for a
tin coffee-pot, which was too small at the top for Cuff to get his head
into it. But he made the attempt one day, and got the coffee-pot fast
on his head and ran away with it. Mr. Bryan subsequently built a
larger mill, and sold the stones of the old one to Mr. Aleck Logan, of
Montgomery county, who tied them together with a hickory withe and
carried them to his home on Bear creek.

Mr. Ira Cottle, of St. Charles county, once had a difficulty with
Hon. Benjamin Emmons, Sr., about a calf, each claiming it as his
property. They finally concluded to try Solomon on the the calf, and
let it decide which cow was its mother. So it was turned into a lot
with two cows, and at first it ran to the one owned by Cottle. “ Aha ! ”
he exclaimed, greatly elated, “ I told you it was my calf — see how it
runs to its mother.” But about this time the calf discovered its mis¬
take, and ran to the other cow, and remained with her.

“ Confound the calf,” said Cottle, “ it don’t know its own mother.”
But it had decided against him, and according to the terms of the
agreement he was bound to submit, which he did with as good grace
as he could command.

CHAPTER III.

EARLY RECORDS.

We plead guilty to possessing much of the antiquarian spirit, —
“ old wine, old books, old friends,” are the best, you know. We
love to sit at the feet of the venerable old pioneers of the country,
and listen to the story of their early exploits, when the fire of youth
beamed in their eyes, and the daring spirit of adventure quickened
their pulses. How they fought with savage Indians and prowling
beasts to wrest this goodly land from the primeval wilderness as a
rich heritage for the children to come after them ; how they hewed
down the forest, turned “the stubborn glebe,” watched and toiled,
lost and triumphed, struggled against poverty and privation to bring
the country into subjection to civilization and enlightened prog¬
ress, — all this has an absorbing interest to us. Much as modern lit¬
erature delights us, we had rather talk an hour with one of these
venerable gray-beards, who are found here and there, as the scattered
representatives of a purer and more heroic age, than to revel in the
most bewitching poem that ever flashed from the pen of a Byron or
a Poe, or dream the time away in threading the mazes of the plot
and imagery of the finest romance ever written. Moved by this
kind of a spirit, we have been delving among the musty records of
the courts, where we found many an interesting relic of the past
history of the county, some of which we here reproduce.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

William Henry Harrison, who was in 1803 Governor of Indiana
Territory, and under whose jurisdiction was Upper Louisiana,
appointed Francis Saucier, Arend Rutgers, Daniel Morgan Boone,
Francis Duquette and Robert Spencer, or any three of them, to hold
a Court of Common Pleas in and for the district of St. Charles. The
first term of the court was held on the first Tuesday in January, 1805,
in the house of Dr. Antoine Reynal, on the site of the present court-

(125)

126

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

house. Francis Saucier was chief justice ; Daniel Morgan Boone, Fran¬
cis Duquette and Robert Spencer, associate justices. Rufus Easton
was Attorney-General, and Mackay Wherry, Edward Hempstead and
Antoine Reynal performed the duties respectively of sheriff, clerk
and coroner.

The names of the first grand jurors were as follows: Arend Rut¬
gers, David Darst, John Weldon, Jonathan Bryan, John McMike,
Henry Orowe, Elisha Goodrich, James Flaugherty, Jr., Peter Jour¬
ney, Antoine Janis, Saint Paul Lacroix, Joseph Pichi, Pierre Troge
and James Green.

The first assessment was made in 1805, by Mackay Wherry, sher¬
iff of the district of St. Charles. His returns show th*at the popu¬
lation of the district was 765. There were 275 heads of families,
and 95 taxable single men, and 55 slaves. The amount of taxes was
$501.80.

THE COUNTY ORGANIZED.

The county was organized October 1, 1812, by proclamation issued
by Gov. William Clark, in accordance with an act of Congress, which
reorganized the districts of St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve,
Cape Girardeau and New Madrid into the same number of counties.

The county, or district of St. Charles, as it was originally called,
had no definite limits. It extended from the Missouri river on the
south, to the British Possessions on the north ; and from the Missis¬
sippi river on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west. It retained
these dimensions until 1816, when Howard countv was cut off from
the western part of St. Charles, and organized into a separate munic¬
ipality. Cedar creek, which now forms the eastern boundary of
Boone county, was established as the line between St. Charles and
Howard. In December, 1818, Montgomery and Lincoln counties
were organized, and St. Charles was reduced to its present dimen¬
sions.

APPOINTMENTS.

State of Missouri, ) c
County of St. Charles, )

At a county court began and held at the court-house in the town of
Saint Charles within and for the said county of St. Charles, on the
fourth Monday in February, it being the twenty-sixth day of said
month, and in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
twenty-one. And in the forty-fifth year of the Independence of the
United States. Commissions from the Governor, appointing Biel
Farnsworth, Robert Spencer and John B. Callaway, Esqs., justices of

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

127

the county court, within and for the said county of St. Charles, with
certificates of qualification thereon indorsed and read in open court.
And the justices took their seats. A commission from the Governor
appointing William Christy, Jr., clerk of the county court within
and for the county of St. Charles, with a certificate of qualification
indorsed thereon, read in open court. The court having knowledge of
the qualification of Joseph Evans, James McCall, Everard Hall and
Howard F. Thompson, Esqs., to practice as attorneys and counselors
at law in the several courts of record in this State. The said gentle¬
men are admitted to practice in the courts accordingly.

Mores B. Banks was appointed constable of Cuivre township, Silas
Massey, for Dardenne; Osburn Knott, for St. Charles; Daniel Hays,
for Femme Osage, and Nathaniel N. Overall, for Portage Des Sioux.
John B. Callaway and William Hays, two justices of the peace, were
appointed commissioners to lay off a road in Femme Osage township
and leading to Marthasville.

An attachment was issued against August Chouteau, administrator
of the estate of St. Paul Lacroix, deceased, for his contempt in not
making final settlement.

Thomas French was recommended to the Governor of the State as
a suitable person for justice of the peace.

Thenbove constitute the proceedings of the first day of the session.

The remainder of the term was devoted to the appointment of ad¬
ministrators, settlements of administrators, executors, guardians, etc.
At the May term, 1821, the court made the following order: —

The court orders, that the sheriff of this county transport the jus¬
tices’ seat and furniture belonging to the county court, to the two
rooms now occupied by the Masonic society in Peck’s row, for the pur¬
pose of holding the several courts therein, for the term of one year,
having been given gratis by the following gentlemen : Benjamin
Emmons, Uriah I. Devore, Osburn Knott, Charles Peck, H. M. Mills,
M. Millington, Shaw & Machett, Nathaniel Simonds, P. Wetmore,
Chancy Shepherd and S. W. Forman. P. H. Robbins was appointed
surveyor of the county, Hiram H. Baler, collector, and Warren Cottle,
assessor.

Benjamin Emmons was granted a license to keep a tavern in St.
Charles for the term of one year, on his paying a tax of $20.
Keepers of billiard tables paid a license of $50 ; retailers of wines
and spirituous liquors, $20; auctioneers, $100. Daniel McNair
was granted a license to keep a ferry across the Missouri river, and
George Smelcers a license to keep a ferry across the Mississippi.
Nathan Boone, administrator of the estate of Enoch Cormack, made
settlement.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Notwithstanding the fact that a large number, probably a majority,
of people in every county have very little practical experience in

128 HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

courts, and although they have the legal capacity to sue and be sued,
never improve their opportunities, and never appear in court, unless
it be on compulsion as witnesses and jurors; yet, as the one great
conservator of peace, and as the final arbiter in case of individual or
neighborhood disputes, the court is distinguished above and apart from
all and every other institution in the land, and not only the proceed¬
ings of the court, but the place of holding court, is a matter of interest
to the average reader.

Not only so, but in many counties the court-house was the first, and
usually the only public building in the county. The first court-houses
were not very elaborate buildings, to be sure, but they are enshrined
in memories that the present can never know.

Their uses were general rather than special, and so constantly were
they in use, day and night, when the court was in session, and when
it was not in session, for judicial, educational, religious and social
purposes, that the doors of the old court-houses, like the gates of
gospel grace, stood open night and day ; and the small amount invested
in these old hewn logs and rough benches returned a much better rate
of interest on the investment than do those stately piles of brick or
granite which have taken their places. The memorable court-house
of early times was a house adapted to a variety of purposes, and had
a career of great usefulness. School was taught, the Gospel was
preached, and justice dispensed within its substantial walls. Then it
served frequently as a resting place for weary travelers. And, indeed,
its doors always swung on easy hinges. If the old settlers are to be
believed, all the old court-houses, when first erected in this Western
country, often rang on the pioneer Sabbath with a more stirring elo¬
quence than that which enlivens the pulpit of the present time. Many
of the earliest ministers officiated in their walls, and if they could but
speak, they would doubtless tell many a strange tale of pioneer religion
that is now lost forever.

To those old court-houses, ministers came of different faiths, hut
all eager to expound the simple truths of the sublime and beautiful
religion, and point out for comparisons the thorny path of duty, and
the primrose way of dalliance. Often have those old walls given back
the echos of those who have sung the songs of Zion, and many a
weary wanderer has had his heart moved to repentauce thereby, more
strongly than ever, by the strains of homely eloquence. With Mon¬
day morning, the old building changed in character, and men went
thither, seeking not the justice of God, but the mercy of man. The
scales were held with an even hand. Those who presided knew every

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

man in the county, and they dealt out substantial justice, and the
broad principles of natural equity prevailed. Children went there to
school, and sat at the feet of teachers who knew little more than them¬
selves ; but, however humble the teacher’s acquirements, he was hailed
as a wise man and a benefactor, and his lessons were heeded with
attention.

The old people of the settlement went there to discuss their own
affairs, and learn from visiting attorneys the news from the great,
busy world, so far away to the southward and eastward. In addition
to the orderly assemblies which formerly gathered there, other meet¬
ings no less notable occurred.

It was a sort of a forum, whither all classes of people went, for the
purpose of loafing and gossiping and telling and hearing some new
thing. As a general thing, the first court-house, after having served
the purpose of its erection, and served that purpose well, is torn
down and conveyed to tbe rear of some remote lot, and thereafter is
made to serve the purpose of an obscure cow-stable on some dark
alley.

There is little of the romantic or poetic in the make-up of Western
society, and the old court-house, after the building of the new one,
ceases to be regarded with reverence and awe. In a new country,
where every energy of the people is necessarily employed in the prac¬
tical work of earning a living, and the always urgent and ever present
question of bread and butter is up for solution, people can not be
expected to devote much time to the poetic and ideal. It therefore
follows that nothing was retained as a useless relic that could be turned
to some utility; but it is a shame that the people of modern times
have such little reverence for the relics of former days. After these
houses ceased to be available for business purposes they should have
been preserved to have at least witnessed the semi-centennial of the
county’s history. It is sad, in their hurry to grow rich, so few even
have a care for the work of their own hands. How many of the first
settlers have preserved their first habitations? The sight of that
humble cabin would be a source of much consolation in old age, as it
reminded the owner of the trials and triumphs of other times, and its
presence would go far toward reconciling the coming generation with
their lot, when comparing its lowly appearance with the modern resi¬
dence whose extensive apartments are beginning to be too unpreten¬
tious for the enterprising and irrepressible “Young Americans.”

CHAPTER IV.

PHYSICAL FEATURES AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY.

The county of St. Charles includes that portion of the State of
Missouri which lies between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, east
of the fifth principal meridian and south of the Cuivre river.

The county is of irregular, wedge-like shape, owing to its water
boundaries. It includes portions of Congressional township 44 north,
in ranges 1 and 2 east, on its southern boundary, and a small part of
township 49, range 5 east, on its most northern boundary, and extends
eastwardly from the fifth principal meridian to the junction of the
Missouri and Mississippi rivers, in township 48, range 8 east, a dis¬
tance of about 42 miles. Its greatest breadth is on the western
boundary line, about 24 miles. It contains, including islands in the
Missouri and Mississippi rivers, about 540 square miles, and its total
surface in acres is about 345,600. The western boundary crosses a
range of bluffs, or highlands, about two miles north of the Missouri
river, running in a north-easterly direction with the river, diverging
occasionally from the course of the river, with intervening bottom
lands between the bluffs and the river, until it reaches a point 21/o
miles north of the city of St. Charles, where it makes an abrupt turn,
running a little south of west, till it strikes the Dardenne creek, and
from thence in a north-westerly direction till it strikes the Cuivre
river, about a mile and a half east of the western boundarv line of the
county. Within this chain of bluffs, or highlands, is contained all
the upland in the county, composed partly of timber and in part of
prairie. The rest of the county is timbered bottom and bottom
prairie.

From the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers to
the Mamelles, a distance of more than 20 miles, the land is entirely of
an alluvial formation. The point at which the bluffs of the Missis¬
sippi and Missouri rivers unite and make the abrupt turn above refer¬
red to, is about 21/2 miles north-west of the city of St. Charles, 6
(130)

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

131

miles south of the Mississippi river and 1 mile west of the Missouri.
At this point, where the main body of the bluffs is covered with tim¬
ber, two smooth mounds of regular surfaces, without trees or shrubs,
but coated with grass, project out into the prairie some distance from
the main bluffs. These were named by the early French pioneers La
MamelleSy from their fancied resemblance to the human breasts.
These mounds have an elevation of about 150 feet, and afford an ex¬
tensive view of a most beautiful country, lying east, west and north.
The northern side of the county is washed by the Mississippi and the
southern side by the Missouri river. There is always sufficient water
in these streams for the larger steamers, and navigation is only im¬
peded by freezing over, an occurrence which does not take place every
year, and lasts only a few weeks.

The Cuivre river, which empties into the Mississippi, also forms
part of the northern boundary of the county, and is navigable for small
steamboats in the spring season as far up as the mouth of Big creek,
one of its tributaries. Indian Camp creek and McCoy’s creek are
tributaries of Big creek. Perruque creek rises in Warren county, and
after running southward for some distance, makes a bend and empties
into the Mississippi, about four miles below the mouth of Cuivre.
Dardenne creek rises near the Warren county line. Its first course is
eastward, and also making an elbow, discharges its waters into the
Mississippi about seven miles below the mouth of the Perruque.
The general course of all these streams is north-east. The Femme
Osage, with its branches, is the only stream of any size which empties
into the Missouri river within the county. Both branches rise in
Warren county, and unite about 5 miles above the mouth of the creek,
which is about 15 miles by water below the western line of the county.

The Femme Osage creek, its branches and tributaries, flowing
south-eastwardly, drain about 110 square miles in the south-west part
of the county. All the other streams of any size but the Cuivre,
Perruque and Dardenne, and their branches, flow in a north-eastwardly
direction, and drain the rest of the county, except the Point Prairie
lands.

Springs. — Fine springs abound on McCoy’s creek and Indian Camp
creek. There are also good springs on Perruque, Dardenne and
Femme Osage creek, along the Mississippi bluffs east of Dardenne, and
in other parts of the county good springs are found. On the prairies
and uplands wells and cisterns are mostly used for supplies of water.
The Mississippi river affords for all those in its vicinity an abundant
supply of the best water for drinking and all other purposes.

132

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

The geological formations of St. Charles county, beginning at the

highest or most recent formations, are as follows: —

Quaternary. — This system includes the Alluvium, Bottom
Prairie, Bluff and Drift.

Alluvium. — This comprises the soil and the deposits along the
principal streams.

Bottom Prairie. — This is best developed on the Mississippi bot¬
toms, where it occurs as a dark clay, with beds of sand.

Bluff. — The bluff underlies the soil, and is found on most of the
hills ; it is well developed on the Missouri bluffs, especially near the
city of St. Charles, on the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Rail¬
way, and in the street excavations in the city, and also at the
Mamelles.

Drift — Is not very well developed, but when seen is composed of
clay and rounded pebbles, and underlies the bluff.

Next come the rocks proper, which are geologically interesting,
affording an interesting field of research to him who loves to investi-
gate the records of ages past.

Paleozoic Rocks — Coal Measures. — Coal of good quality is
found near St. Charles, and may not be found in any other part of the
county. The coal measures cover an area of about eight square miles.
The coal bed ranges from 15 to 30 inches in thickness, and would
probably average about 22 inches, or be equal to 408,808,000 cubic
feet.

Ferruginous Sandstone — Is found only in limited quantities.

St. Louis Limestone. — This rock, of good quality, is found only
near St. Charles.

Archimedes Limestone. — West of St. Charles this formation is
seen cropping out from beneath the St. Louis limestone. It extends
as far west as the west end of Green’s Bottom, and thence northward
and westward over that part of the county lying east of Cottleville and
Wentz ville.

Encrinital Limestone . — West of the last, and as far west as range
1 east, this group occurs as the highest rock in the western part of the
county and north of the Boone’s Lick road. The scenery afforded by it
<>n the Missouri river is very fine, the bluffs belo^Y Hamburg rising to a
height of 200 feet or more, and presenting at the top a castellated ap¬
pearance, which is further beautified by the presence of cedars on the
summit.

Chemung and Devonian Groups — Are uplifted on Perruque creek,
near the county line, and the Chemung occurs as the highest in town-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

133

ship 45, and township 46, range 1 east, and also near the mouth of
Femme Osage creek, on the Missouri.

Trenton Limestone — Appears on Dardenne creek, in township
46, range 1 east, on Femme Osage beautiful perpendicular castel¬
lated cliffs, with rounded tower-like faces, and affording beautiful
scenery.

Black River and Bird' s-eye Limestone — Is found on the Femme
Osage creek, and south-west, near the Missouri river, it caps the highest

hills.

First Magnesian Limestone , Saccharoidal Sandstone and Second
Magnesian Limestone — Appear in the Missouri bluffs, near Darst’s
Bottom, and westward, affording very picturesque scenery. Cedar
hill, opposite Darst’s Bottom, is composed of saccharoidal limestone,
and the neighboring bluffs are capped with first magnesian limestone.

Building Materials. — Good building rock is found almost every¬
where.

The St. Louis Limestone — Affords good building material, and
there are good quarries west of St. Charles. It is fine grained, and a
light drab color, with a somewhat splintory fracture.

The Archimedes Limestone — Also affords much good building rock,
and it is often found in remarkably thick beds. Excellent quarries of
it are found in the bluffs at Green’s Bottom, where it occurs in thick
strata of both brown and gray limestone. Similar beds crop out in the
Mississippi bluffs, a few miles east of Dardenne, where it was quarried
for masonry on the North Missouri Railroad.

Trenton Limestone. — The gray beds of the upper portion of the
Trenton limestone found on Femme Osage creek would admit of a good
polish, and make a handsome material for. building.

Encrinital Limestone. — Goods beds, and of considerable thickness,
outcrop in the Missouri bluffs, below Hamburg, and other good quar¬
ries are seen in the north-east pgrt of the county. On Perruque creek,
at the county line, are good quarries of Devonian limestone The beds
of Black river limestone found on the tops of many of the hills in
Femme Osage township would admit of a polish, and make quite
pretty marble.

The First Magnesian Limestone — Found on Femme Osage and
Missouri bluff, affords one of the most valuable of building materials,
being generally of a rich buff color. Missouri College, in Warren
county, Mo., is built of this material, which is quarried near by.
Similar rock used for building in St. Louis was brought from
Joliet, Ill.

134

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

The next rock of importance is the Saccharoidal sandstone , found
on Femme Osage and Missouri bluff and Darst’s Bottom. This is
useful as a fire rock, and the softer and whiter beds, which are as
white and clear as the best crushed sugar, would be very suitable for
the manufacture of glass.

Minerals. — Iron Pyrites — Are found in some localities. Frag¬
ments of red and brown hematite have been discovered, but it is not
thought they exist in sufficient quantities to pay for working.

Quartz Geodes — Are found on Missouri bluffs, embedded in shales
of Archimedes limestone. Calcareous spar in small quantities is some¬
times found.

Clays for Paint. — In section 35, township 47, range 1 east, is an
extensive bed of variegated, purple, buff and drab clays, and near by
is a bed of whitish clay, which has been successfully used for white¬
wash. Red clay has been found on Callaway’s fork of the Femme
Osage. In addition to the above, clays of different colors are found in
other parts of the county suitable for paints and pigments. There are
also to be found various other valuable clays in the county, some of
which are white and suitable for potters’ ware.

Clay for Brick. — An abundance of the best red clay, free from
flint and gravel, is found in and around the city of St. Charles, and in
many other parts of the county. Brick made of this material are of a
bright red color, and for beauty, solidity and durability are not ex¬
celled in any part of the country.

Limestone — Suitable for burning, and producing the best quality
of lime, is found in large quantities.

Sand — For building, plastering and molding purposes can be
readily obtained.

About three-fourths of the lands in this county were originally tim¬
bered, and although large quantities have been cut off for lumber,
fire wood, fencing, and for the purpose of clearing lands for cultiva¬
tion, an abundance remains sufficient for generations to come. The
following are some of the varieties : —

Oaks. — Blackjack, Spanish oak, red oak, white oak, overcup, black
oak, pin oak, chinquapin, burr oak, post oak.

Maples. — Soft maple, sugar maple, box elder.

Ash. — White ash, black ash, blue ash.

Hickory. — Small shellbark hickory, pignut hickory, black hickory,
butternut hickory, large shellbark hickory, pecan hickory.

Elm. — White elm, slippery or red elm.

Walnut. — Butternut, black walnut.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

135

Wild Fruit Trees. — Red mulberry, crab apple, persimmon, paw¬
paw, wild cherry, black haw, red haw, red plum (several varieties).

Locust. — Honey locust, black locust (cultivated).

In addition to the above are the hackberry, buckeye, red cedar,
cottonwood, sycamore, sassafras, linden, coffee nut, red birch, and
many others.

Nut Trees. — Black and white walnut ; several varieties of hickory,
above enumerated, and pecan. The hazel is the only nut-bearing
shrub indigenous to the county. The chestnut has been successfully
cultivated here.

Shrubs , Small Trees, Etc. — Dogwood, sumach, elder, green brier,
red bud, prickly ash, creeper, wild rose (several varieties), poison
oak.

Small Fruits. — Wild strawberry, dewberry, blackberry, black rasp¬
berry, wild gooseberry.

Grapes . — Summer grape, winter grape, fox grape (several varieties
of each).

Medicinal Herbs , Plants , Ftc. — Boneset, pennyroyal, liverwort,
hops, henbane, burdock, yellow dock, May apple, Jamestown weed,
nightshade, peppermint, ladyslipper, catnip, dandelion, elder, lobelia,
hoarhound, pokeroot, ginseng, bloodroot, Virginia snake root, yellow
root, sarsaparilla, sweet flag, wormseed, mayweed, and a great many
others.

The area of St. Charles county, as before stated, is about 540 miles,
consisting of prairie and timber, the area covered by timber greatly
predominating. The surface of the county is agreeably diversified by
hill and dale. Between Femme Osa^e creek and the Missouri river
the land is quite broken and the hills very high. Most of the county
between range 1 east and south of the line between townships 45 and 46
is quite broken. Going eastward from the mouth of Femme Osage,
the amount of broken land gradually diminishes, extending not over
one or two miles from the river, and nearly ceases at the east end of
Green’s Bottom. Broken land occurs in other parts of the county,
but it is limited to the hills immediately adjacent to a few of the
streams, nor are the hills so high as those above mentioned, nor the
slopes too steep to prevent cultivation. In other parts of the county
the slopes are quite gentle. If we except the bottom lands, no portion
can be said to be flat, but all is rolling, and with such slopes as to
recommend it for every variety of farming. The county possesses a
very large proportion of rich land. The prairie below St. Charles is
unsurpassed in fertility by any land in the State ; its horizon is con-

136

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

siderably above that of high water, the soil for several feet is a rich
and very dark loam, under which is a stratum of sand, and again
below is dark clay, thus presenting a surface of the richest soil, with
underlying natural drainage. This land produces from 25 to 40
bushels of wheat per acre, and is little affected by the seasons, wet or
dry. Its fertility is not exceeded by the region of the Nile, producing
luxuriant crops of every agricultural product known to this latitude.
It is the very Egypt of Missouri. Some of the lands have been in cul¬
tivation for over eighty years without the aid of fertilizers, and have
produced successive crops of wheat and corn, without any rotation
whatever, for more than thirty years. Over 100 bushels of
corn, 65 of oats, and 45 of wheat have been produced upon
these lands per acre. These, however, were extraordinary crops.
The average yield of wheat for the county may be safely set down at
20 bushels to the acre, and the annual yield for the county at
1,500,000 bushels. The average yield of corn is about 45
bushels per acre, and the annual yield for the county is estimated at
3,000,000 bushels. Hon. J. K. Dodge, statistician of the United
States Department of Agriculture, in his report of the agricultural
productions for the year 1871, estimates the amount of wheat produced
in the State of Missouri at 12,825,000 bushels, and the number of
bushels of corn at 87,300,000 bushels. It will therefore be seen that
St. Charles county alone produces more than one-eighth part of the
wheat grown in the 114 counties in the State, and about a twenty-
eighth part of the corn, being largely over the average of the annual
production of corn for ten counties — the average yield per county
bein£ less than 77,000 bushels.

The price of improved farms range from $30 to $100 per acre, taking
a point ten miles above St. Charles on the Missouri river, and draw¬
ing a circle around to the Mississippi river, including all the land from
this circle to the mouth of the Missouri river. West of this ten-mile
circle, farms will range at from $10 to $40 per acre. Unimproved
lands may be put at from $3 to $10 per acre.

The leading agricultural productions of the county are wheat, corn,
oats, barley ; some seasons broom corn is raised largely. They export
most of wheat, corn and oats. The yield of corn last year, is esti¬
mated at from 25 to 80 bushels per acre ; of wheat, from 12 to 15
bushels ; a chance field from 25 to 30 — a falling off in the wheat crop
of 1882 ; oats, from 30 to 35 bushels ; hay U/2 tons ; potatoes, 80
bushels, per acre.

Hay and Grass. — Twenty years ago, when the prairies were mostly

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

137

open, farmers and stock raisers depended more or less, sometimes en¬
tirely, on wild grasses, both for pasturage and hay. Thousands of
acres that were then in a state of nature are now covered by grain
and corn fields, orchards and meadows, and wild pasturage has become
much restricted in extent, in some places exceedingly so. This has
forced farmers to make other provisions for stock, and this necessity
has had the effect of turning attention to tame grasses. The princi¬
pal crops are timothy and clover, which do not need renewing for
years, and Hungarian grass, which is an annual product.

Blue and wild grasses are mostly depended upon for pastures.
Clover does well. Blue grass is indigenous, will furnish a green sward
unsurpassed for winter pasture of both cattle and horses.

In 1879 there was mown 8,132 acres of tame grass, which produced
6,497 tons; 67,241 bushels of Irish potatoes were raised, and 1,462
bushels of sweet potatoes. The value of orchard products was $46,-
608, and the amount of wood cut was 12,684 cords, whilst the value
of wood consumed was $73,904. Of the wool clip of 1880, 6,046
fleeces made a total weight of 36,145 pounds. Of molasses from
sorghum, 14,656 gallons were made.

Fruit. — From the earliest settlement of the county, apples, pears
and peaches have been raised. There are some fruit trees, scattered
here and there through the county, generally but few, and, some¬
times, but a single one in a place, which have borne fruit for almost
as long a period as that covered by the memory of the “ oldest inhab¬
itant.” But within twenty years last past, orchard planting has re¬
ceived a mighty impetus, so that, whereas heretofore those having
fruit were the exceptions in the community, now the case is reversed,
and those are the exceptions who have no orchards or trees. Almost
all owners of the soil have some fruit trees, even though they have but
a fifty feet lot in town. An apple tree, a pear tree, a peach tree, is
planted — more often several, and in a few years the owner has the
great satisfaction (known only to those who have experienced it) of
plucking his own fruit, and it tastes neither of silver nor greenbacks.
Besides these small efforts, the results of which can scarcely be digni¬
fied with the name of orchards, there are many which are orchards.
The production of fruit has been a success with them, so far as it has
been tried, both in quantity and quality. We undertake to say that no
country produces better Genitan apples than can be found here, and
though we may not speak so unequivocally of other kinds, because we
are not well enough acquainted with the facts, we hazard nothing in
saying that this fruit generally will compare favorably with any other.

138

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

It is almost entirely of superior kinds, grafted or budded from and on
good stocks, and carefully cultivated.

St. Charles county is peculiarly adapted to the growth of all kinds
of fruit known to this region. During late years much attention has
been given to orchards, and fruit growers are well repaid for their in¬
vestments ; apples especially being fine and selling at good prices.
Peaches of large size and delicious flavor are produced in all parts of
the county, but the crop is not so certain as that of apples. Pears,
quinces, apricots and nectarines, plums and cherries are not generally
grown for market. The red and yellow Chickasaw plum and the Ger¬
man prune and Damson yield abundant crops, and seldom fail.

Small Fruits. — Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, gooseber¬
ries and currents are grown successfully all over the county.

The most extensive orchard in the county is that of R. H. Parks,
Esq., in the Point Prairie, consisting of 10,000 trees. The next in
size is that of Julius Mallinckrodt, near Augusta, of 2,000 trees.
There are many other fine orchards in the count}'. Among the pro¬
prietors are Judge Barwise, B. A. Alderson, Jos. H. Barwise, E. K.
Barwise, Charles Manning, Dr. B. W. Rogers, Alfred Stonebraker,
Herman Wilke, Francis and August Marten, Wm. T. Lindsay, J. W.
Charlesworth, John Eastabrooks, Dr. D. W. Ferguson, Joseph Hay,
John C. Orrick, D. A. Griffith, Geo. N. Gaty, N. Reid, S. S. Watson,
John S. Shaw, W. H. Gallaher, E. C. Cunningham, -John Lindsay,
Adolph Mallinckrodt, Conrad Mallinckrodt, C. Meyer, C. Diehr, J.
Sudbrock, Geo. W. Kinney, Judge Barton Bates, J. Linhoff, W.
Keithley, F. Schulte, John Nahm, Charles Miller, F. Valentine, J. C.
McElhany, Wm. C. Dyer, Mrs John Lee, Dr. L. R. Ensor, R. B.
Keeble’s estate, Thos. Lewis’ estate.

Most of the last named orchards were planted for market purposes,
and contain from 300 to 1,500 trees.

Many small orchards return handsome profits, from the fact that
their products are easily handled and well husbanded.

The following varieties of fruits are those most successfully grown
in this county : —

Apples. — Summer: Early harvest, white June, red Carolina June,
red Astrachan, maiden’s blush, and sweet bough. Autumn: Rambo,
Rome beauty, Pennsylvania red, streak, yellow, belle-flower. Winter:
Rawles’ Janet stands highest, Ben Davis, winesap, willow twig, sweet
Janet, Michael Henry pippin, Newton Spitzenberg (Vandevere).

Many others, old and new, are grown, and of the latter many prom¬
ise well, while those above rank highest as yet.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

139

Peaches. — Hale’s early, Trogh’s early, Crawford’s early and late,
large early York, George the Fourth, old Mixon free and cling, Heath
cling and free, besides the whole family of yellow melocotones.

Pears. — Bartlett, Seckel, Sheldon, Flemish beauty, Louise Bonne
de Jersey, Duchess D’Angouleme, Vicar of Winkfield, white Doyenne,
Tyson, Howell, Buffom, and several other varieties of the dwarf
pear.

The fruits above named, with the exception of apples and peaches,
are generally grown for amateur purposes only.

There are 400 acres in vineyards ; 200 acres are in Femme Osage
township, and near the town of Augusta ; the other 200 acres are dis¬
tributed around St. Charles, up to O’Fallon, Wentzville, New Melle,
Hamburg, Cottleville, etc. Wine is made in considerable quantities,
and meets with ready sale, as also the grape for table use, and each
at remunerative prices. The most of the vineyards, planted prior to
1860, were of the Catawba variety, which, after a few years of suc¬
cessful cropping, proved to be a failure. At the present time
two-thirds of our vineyards consist of the Concord. The other prin¬
cipal varieties are Norton’s Virginia and Herbemont. Connoisseurs
here consider our white wines equal, if not superior to the best Rhine
wines. The Concord will produce 500 gallons per acre. The annual
production for the county in 1872 was about 100,000 gallons. New
Melle has 8 wine cellars; total capacity, 50,000 gallons. Augusta,
20; total capacity, 100,000 gallons. Wentzville, 1 ; capacity, 20,000
gallons. St. Charles, 3 ; capacity, 60,000 gallons, besides several
small cellars, with aggregate capacity of 100,000 gallons. Hamburg
and Weldon Spring have a number of small cellars, with a capacity of
abouc 30,000 gallons.

The principal kinds of grapes raised are the Catawba, Norton’s
Virginia Seedling, Concord, Cassady, Clinton, Taylor’s Bullitt, Her¬
bemont, Delaware and Hartford Prolific. Among these, for table
use, the Delaware stands first and the Concord second. For wine,
Norton’s Virginia Seedling is regarded as best, and the Concord next.
But when the Catawba succeeds it is the most profitable, and ordinar¬
ily, when it makes a full crop, it yields more than any other kind.
The average yield of the whole is about 500 gallons per acre — in a
favorable season 800 gallons can be obtained — the ordinary calcula¬
tion being 18 pounds of grapes to the gallon of wine.

In 1880, according to the United States Census Report, there were
174,132 acres of improved lands in the county, which were divided
into 2,114 farms. The total number of acres of all lands is 263,829,

140

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

showing that about two-thirds of the lands of the county are improved.
Nearly all of the unimproved land is timbered land. The value of the
farms of the county was $7,687,934, and the value of all the farm
products was estimated at $1,816,778.

The number of bushels of corn raised in 1879 was 1,614,960, gath¬
ered from 47,219 acres. On 11,483 acres, 249,554 bushels of oats
were raised, and on 61,099 acres, 1,124,518 bushels of wheat were
grown. There were also considerable quantities of barley, oats and
rye produced. Tobacco culture is likewise a valuable agricultural
interest. On 90 acres of land, in 1879, 52,452 pounds were produced.
Grape culture is another important interest, but the statistics in regard
to this, later than those given above, are not now before us.

Of live stock in St. Charles county, in 1880 there were 9,081 head
of horses, mules, etc., 5,556 milk cows, besides 8,831 head of other
cattle; and there were 6,045 sheep, and 39,661 head of hogs. Of
wool there were sold 37,145 pounds ; and of butter there were pro¬
duced 207,941 pounds, besides 10,100 pounds of cheese. The above
figures mav be contrasted with the following, contained in a sketch
of the agriculture of the county, published by Mr. Joseph H. Alex¬
ander, of St. Charles : —

I have made no little effort to obtain other statistics, showing the
progress we have made in other particulars, but in that regard have
been rather unfortunate. Either the statistics are not in existence,
or, after diligent inquiry, I have not been able to reach them. I
present, however, a few items, and some of my own calculations, based
on them : —

In 1840 we had 3,509 horses and mules; in 1850, 4,772.

And at the same rate of increase we should now have 7,645 horses
and mules.

In 1840 we had 4,606 sheep; in 1850, 10,425; in 1865 we should
have 26,780. In 1840 we had 19,324 hogs ; in 1850, 30,957 ; in 1865
we should have 64,390.

But I am afraid that an actual count would show that we have less
of sheep and hogs than my calculations show we ought to have, and
so of other things, some increasing in a more or less accelerating ratio,
and some decreasing; there being an increase in cattle, wheat, corn,
oats (largely in these), wool, potatoes, wine, hay, etc., and a decrease
in hemp, barley and tobacco ; but I am quite satisfied that in the last
named article, notwithstanding the tables, there has been an increase.

TAX VALUATION.

From Mr. Alexander’s report on the agriculture in the county, pre¬
pared in 1866, we learn that in 1809, when St. Charles district em-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

141

braced an indefinite district of country between the two rivers,
extending as far as the population did, the valuation of taxable prop¬
erty was $23,895. In 1818, when the limits of the district were more
circumscribed, but still extensive, the valuation of taxables (found by
approximation and calculation) was $87,419 ; in 1836 it was $727,573 ;
in 1840, $1,290,786; in 1851, $1,508,796; in 1856, $2,998,800; in
1865, $8,156,040.

From 1809 to 1818 the valuation nearly quadrupled; from 1818 to
1836, the increase was over 800 per cent; from 1836 to 1840, it was
about 50 per cent ; from 1840 to 1855, it was nearly 50 per cent ; and
in the last ten years, ending with the present year, it was about 265
per cent.

In the first 27 years the increase was uniform, being at the rate of
something over 100 per cent per year ; in the next 15 years it was
again uniform, at about 50 per cent, and in the last 10 years it was
about 26V2 per cent per annum. Although the rate per cent of increase
has diminished, yet the actual increase has been large, having risen
from $23,895, in 1809, to $8,156,040 in 1865.

In 1874, according to the official report in the county clerk’s office,
the assessed valuation of the county was $7,265,119 ; and in 1884, it
is $7,616,859. It is given in the United States census report in 1880
at $7,033,593, of which $5,132,914 consisted of real estate, and the
balance, $1,900,679, of personal property. The State tax was $28,-
135 ; the county tax, $35,168 ; and the city, school and other local
taxes, $26,919 ; making a total of $90,222, or a sum considerably larger
than the amount collected by the first sheriff, Mackey Wherry, in 1805,
namely, $501.80.

POPULATION.

With the natural advantages St. Charles has for supporting an intel¬
ligent and thrifty population, it is known, as would naturally be
expected, that the county has steadily increased the number of its
inhabitants. Mr. Alexander has also given some figures in regard to
this, which are here reproduced as he states them : —

The population of the county in 1830 was 4,320 ; in 1840 it was
7,911 ; in 1850 it was 11,454 ; in 1860 it was 14,313. Adding to the
population of 1860 the same rate of increase as held good from 1850
to 1860 (and I am quite sure that this is not unreasonable, even taking
into consideration any depletion which may have been caused by the
war), the present number of inhabitants in the county is about
16,000.

The following are the figures from the tenth census report : In

142

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

1810, the population was 3,505 ; in 1820, it was 3,970 ; in 1830, 4,320 ;
in 1840, 7,911; in 1850, 11,454; in 1860, 16,523; in 1870, 21,304;
in 1880, 23,065.

The population by townships is as follows: Callaway township,
1,830 ; Cuivre, 3,820 ; Dardenne, 4,050 ; Femme Osage, 2,401 ; Port¬
age des Sioux, 2,541 ; St. Charles, 8,417. The nativity of the people
of the county is given as 16,113 born in Missouri ; 4,286 born in foreign
countries, and the balance, numbering over 2,600, born in different
States of the Union, principally Illinois, Virginia and Kentucky.

The population of the county in 1880 is further- classified as fol¬
lows : Males, 12,100; females, 10,965; white persons, 20,652; col¬
ored, 2,411 ; native, 18,779 ; foreign, 4,286.

In population St. Charles county is the twentieth county in the
State, and in valuation or wealth it is the fifth county, a remarkable
and creditable showing for the intelligence and thrift of the people of
this county, the productiveness of their lands and the success of their
business and manufacturing enterprises. It is the sixteenth county
in the amount of the State, county and local taxes it pays, and the
first one among the counties whose populations are not larger than the
population of this county, being taxed a less sum annually than any
of her sister counties of this class.

PRINCIPAL COUNTY ROADS.

Boone's Lick Road — Commencing at St. Charles, running thence
west 10 miles to Cottleville, crossing Dardenne creek ; thence to Dal-
hoff post-office at 20 miles (crossing Howell’s Ferry road running
northwardly to Wentzville) ; thence to Pauldingville, at the western
boundary line of the county. Whole distance 26 miles.

Balt River Road — Commencing on the Boone’s Lick road, one
mile west of St. Charles, running northwardly 4x/2 miles to a point
where the Mexico road branches off ; from thence 4 miles to St.
Peters, crossing Dardenne creek, following the bluff 4*/2 miles,,
and thence westwardly, crossing Perruque creek, to Wellsburg, at 16
miles from said creek; from thence to Flint Hill, at 24 miles ; thence
north-west to Eagle fork of Cuivre river (county line), 4 miles.
Whole distance 28 miles.

Mexico Road — Branches off from Salt River road 4V2 miles
west of St. Charles, running west to Howell’s Ferry road, 20 miles
from St. Charles, crossing Dardenne and Perruque creeks.

Marthasville Road — Branches off from Boone’s Lick road, 8
miles west of the city ; thence in a south-westerly direction, passes

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

143

Weldon Spring at 14 miles ; thence to Hamburg at 18 miles ; thence
crossing Femme Osage creek at 20 miles ; thence through Hancock’s
Bottom to Missouriton at 27 miles, and thence in a south-westerly
direction to Augusta at 35 miles, and from thence to the county line.
Whole distance about 40 miles.

Howell's Ferry Road — Commencing at Flint Hill (24 miles north¬
west from the city), connecting with Salt River road ; thence in a
south-easterly direction at 2 miles, crossing Mexico road at 5 miles,
crossing Perruque creek at 7 miles, Boone’s Lick road at 9 miles,
crossing Dardenne creek at 12 miles, crossing Marthasville road at 14
miles, to Missouri river at Howell’s ferry.

The So-Called Ferry Road — Turns off from Marthasville road 17
miles south-west of St. Charles, running west, at 3 miles, through
Mechanicsville, at 9 miles, through New Melle, and from thence
north-westerly to the county line. Whole distance 13 miles.

St. Charles Road — From New Melle, a county road runs south¬
west, being called “ St. Charles road,” to Femme Osage post-office,
5 miles from New Melle ; thence south to Tueque Prairie road, 21/2
miles, crossing Femme Osage creek ; thence to Augusta on the Mis¬
souri river, 8 miles. ,

St. Charles and Alton Road — Commencing at the city of St.
Charles, thence north-east to Boschertown, 2x/2 miles ; thence
on and along the Marias Croche ; thence east through the bottom to
Alton, 23 miles, to ferry on the Mississippi river, about 5 miles
north-east from the city, a second road runs north north-east, passing
on the north side of Marias Temps Clair lake ; thence through the
bottom, and afterwards along Mississippi slough to Alton ferry.
Whole distance 22 miles. Another road leading to Alton, leaves
the first described road 7 miles north of the city ; thence running on
north-west side of Marias Croche lake, thence through the bottom
and along the western shore of Missouri river, at a distance of 18
miles, turning north to Alton ferry.

St. Charles and Portage Road — Commencing at St. Charles and
Alton road, about 8 miles from St. Charles, on the bank of the
Marias Temps Clair, thence north-east 4 miles to Portage, thence
from Portage 4 miles to St. Charles and Alton road on and along
Mississippi river.

The facilities for the transportation of produce to market are un¬
surpassed by any county in the State. There is a good market at St.
Charles for most of the farm products — St. Louis, Alton, etc.
There are the Missouri and Mississippi rivers hugging this territory

144

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

more than half way around it, with 10 shipping points on the Missouri
and 11 on the Mississippi, and the St. Louis, Kansas City and North¬
ern Railway through its center, and the Keokuk and North-western,
together with the St. Louis, Hannibal and Keokuk, all bringing the
markets from almost every point of the compass practically at our
doors. Furthermore, a good macadamized wagon road leads to St.
Louis, only 20 miles distant.

Among the proposed roads is the Missouri River Railroad with con¬
nections from Fort Scott, in the State of Kansas, via Sedalia, Boon-
ville, and down the north side of the Missouri river, passing St.
Charles and continuing eastward, crossing the Mississippi river at
or above Alton ; thence connecting with the great eastern and north-
ern lines of the road in the State of Illinois — making it an air-line

road east and west.

Another railroad is confidently spoken of, and its projectors are
now moving in it, commencing at Kansas City and crossing the Mis¬
souri river at Arrow Rock ; thence to Columbia, Boone county, and
down the north side of the river to St. Charles and St. Louis.

The St. Louis and Western Railroad Company have, quite recently,
filed articles of association at Jefferson .City, with a capital of
$3,000,000, for the purpose of building a narrow-guage road from
St. Louis, passing by St. Charles, to Brunswick and the western part

of the State. This will be an air line road from St. Charles west.

Again, the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Company, who have
been operating their road in the interest of Chicago ever since its com¬
pletion, now begin to feel the importance of a close connection with
the city of St. Louis and intermediate points, and are now asking the
Legislature of Missouri to grant them the privilege of constructing a
road from their eastern terminus toward Hannibal — perhaps from
Monroe — by St. Charles to the city of St. Louis ; thus giving another
great outlet from St. Charles, and making the necessity of another
track between St. Peters and the cities of St. Louis and St. Charles
more plainly apparent as each successive day comes and goes.

St. Louis , Jerseyville and Springfield ( Illinois ) Railroad. — This
road, of which the company is organized and surveys made, crosses the
Mississippi river at Grafton, thence bv St. Charles and onward to St.
Louis, and its whole length traverses the finest agricultural regions of
the West.

St. Louis and St. Charles Railroad. — The company is organized
and surveys made via St. Charles to St. Peters, on the St. Louis,
Kansas City and Northern Railroad. This roads will be necessitated

■v . - . . -• . ■

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

145

by the great amount of railroad travel and traffic concentrating at St.
Charles. The line is the shortest practicable route from St. Louis, and
besides the great convenience it will afford the citizens along its line,
it traverses a very fertile farming country.

We have said enough on these different subjects to satisfy the mind
of any reasonable thinker that St. Charles is fast becoming a great
central railroad point, to which the raw material may be brought from
almost any particular locality in our State or country, manufactured,
and shipped off to every point were trade exists.

It maybe said, Why is this so? We will answer: Because St.
Charles lies right in the line of our national highway of travel, and
that the topographical conformation of our county places it there.
The south side of the Missouri river is a broken, jagged, moun¬
tainous region, unfitted for cheap, direct lines of communication ;
while north of the river, roads may be run through the country at
will, without encountering any permanent impeding obstacle. For
example St. Louis, Jefferson City and Kansas City all lie on the south
side of the Missouri river, and yet, in stage-coach times, the great
route between these points was through St. Charles and on the north
side of the river. Again, in this our day of railroads, if we wish to
make the quickest time, for passengers or freight, to Kansas City,
Atchison, Leavenworth, St. Joseph or Omaha, the route lies through
St. Charles, and at St. Louis we take the St. Louis, Kansas City and
Northern Railroad.

In earlier times, 50 or 60 years ago, the United States engineers,
in locating the great National Turnpike, understood this matter fully.
From Maryland the route through the States pointed directly to the
northern shores of the Missouri river, via St. Charles, to Jefferson
City, its termination, as the cheapest and most direct route.

This county, although among the oldest settled counties in the
State, still abounds in a great variety of game and fish, the large
forests and prairies lying along the two great rivers and their numer¬
ous tributaries, affording shelter and cover for its game, and the rivers
and tributaries, some of which are remarkably clear, with gravelly
beds, affording spawning and breeding places for the innumerable
schools of various fish which visit us on their annual migration from
the Southern waters.

We have the usual varieties of game, quadrupeds and fur bearing
animals found in the Central and Western States, such as deer, gray
and fox squirrels and rabbits ; and of the fur bearing animals we have
the otter, mink, raccoon, muskrat, opossum, and at rare intervals an

146

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

occasional visit is paid by a passing family of beaver to their old
haunts. Large numbers of raccoon, mink and muskrat, and some ot¬
ter, are caught every season along our streams for their peltry and
fur. All the game animals mentioned are sufficiently abundant to
furnish excellent amusement to the lover of woodland sports, with the
exception of the deer ; yet these may still be found in considerable
numbers in the south-west part of the county, in the Femme Osage
and Tueque creek hills, and in the adjacent hills of the Charrette,
along the borders of St. Charles and Warren counties.

But it is in the feathered game that St. Charles county equals, if it
does not surpass, almost every other part of the great valley. Be¬
sides wild turkeys, pheasants, woodcock, prairie chicken or grouse
and quail, which frequent its woods, prairies and grain fields in large
numbers, we have, during the autumn and spring months, vast quan¬
tities of water fowl and game birds of passage. These, twice a year,
pass up and down their great line of migration, which follows the
course of the Mississippi leading north and south, on their way in
leaving the lakes, rivers and plains of British America and the North,
in the fall for the warm bayous, streams and marshes of the Gulf
States, and again in returning North in the spring. We are located
directly under the great aerial highway of the wildfowl, and in both
spring and autumn they stop in vast numbers on our lakes, rivers and
prairies. The water fowls consist of geese, swans, brants and ducks,
and the migrating game birds consist of snipe, woodcock, sora, plover
and wild pigeons. Of wild geese we have two varieties, the large and
small gray goose, and of the brant, which is of the goose species, we
have three varieties. Swans for a short time in the fall are quite nu¬
merous on the lakes of the Mississippi bottom. We have nearly every
variety of duck known on the North American waters. Of these the
principal are the mallard, blue and green-winged teal, wood duck,
canvass-back, widgeon, redhead, black-jack or butter duck, pin-tail,
spoon-bill, shell-drake, crested fisher, and numerous other unnamed
varieties. Of these, the first eight named are excellent for the table.
The snipe is considered next to the quail and woodcock the greatest
delicacy of any of the feathered game. The plover, another of our
migratory birds, consists of several varieties, some of which are the
curlew, the kildee, the golden plover (an excellent bird) and the com¬
mon gray plover.

The principal game fish frequenting our waters are, of strictly game
fish, the pike, salmon-trout, green bass of two varieties, white or
striped bass, black bass, crappie, red-eyed perch, sun perch, small-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

147

mouthed lake perch, and some other unnamed varieties. The largest
of these are the pike and salmon-trout, some of which weigh as much
as twenty pounds. The pike is especially the king of fresh-water
fish. The bass range in weight from 1 to 5 pounds, and the crap-
pie from one to 1 and IV2 pounds. The perch are all smaller than
the crappie. All of the above-named are among the very best of fresh¬
water fish for the table or the purposes of sport.

The bass and perch spawn late in May, principally on the beds of
the shallow, clear, rocky streams. Beside the game fish, we have
numerous other fish in our waters, some of which are almost as good
for the table. Among the best of these are the buffalo, red horse,
red-finned sucker, silver carp and catfish. The four first named are
of the sucker species, and excellent fish at their proper season. Every
spring they seek the waters of this vicinity in vast numbers to deposit
their spawn. They usually spawn early in May. The buffalo fish is
especially abundant, and when the Mississippi overflows its low grassy
bottoms, they pass out into the prairie grass in countless thousands
and deposit their eggs upon the grass and weeds near the surface,
when the spawn is hatched bv the heat of the sun and carried back
with the receding waters into the deep water. It is at this season that
many thousand pounds of these fish are annually speared and trapped
and caught in nets, to be salted down for use and sale. They are ex¬
cellent when salted and cured. These fish weigh from 10 to 20
pounds. The red horse is next in size, weighing from 2 to 15 pounds,
and is the best and most beautiful of the sucker species. They spawn
early in May, on the shoals and rifiles of clear, rocky creeks. The
catfish is the largest of all our fish, sometimes weighing 200 pounds,
but usually from 5 to 30. It is a good fish, and meets with ready
sale in the markets. Besides these mentioned, we have various in¬
ferior fish, such as the white sucker, large black sucker or flatback,
several varieties of the chub, the lamprey and ordinary blue-eel, stur¬
geon, drum or stone perch, shovel fish, the great alligator gar, the
common gar, dog fish, hickory shad, stone carrier, and an innumera¬
ble variety of small fish, suitable only for bait. Some of our deep,
clear lakes along the Mississippi river are well adapted for breeding
and raising the finer varieties of fish, and no doubt will be preserved
and used for that purpose.

They are easily accessible by rail, and might be made charming re¬
treats for the eager sportsmen.

CHAPTER Y.

WAR RECORD.

Early Indian Troubles. — The Killing of Joseph Price, M. Lewis and Malachi
Baldridge — Outrages During the War of 1812 — Forts Built by the Settlers — The
“ Rangers ” Organized — The Expedition to Prairie Du Chien — Its Surprise and De¬
feat by Black Hawk — His Account of the Affair — An Incident of the Expe¬
dition — Lieuts. Riggs and Rector — Capt. James Callaway — His Company of
Rangers — His Expedition to Rock Island — A Spirited Fight with the British and
Indians — His Subsequent Pursuit of a Band of Indian Raiders in the Vicinity of
Loutre Island — His Ambuscade and Tragic Death — His Burial Place — His Char¬
acter as a Man and Officer — Companies of Rangers Organized by Capt. Callaway,
Capt. Nathan Boone and others.

The Black Hawk War. — Black Hawk’s Jealousy of Keokuk, the Primary Cause of
the Trouble — Black Hawk’s Friendship for the British and Hatred of the Ameri¬
cans — Keokuk Made Chief of the Sacs and Foxes During Black Hawk’s Ab¬
sence — Black Hawk’s Return and Chagrin — Two Parties Among the Sacs and
Foxes — The Treaty of Keokuk and His Party with the Americans at Portage Des
Sioux — The Refusal of Black Hawk and His Party to Recognize It — Keokuk Rec¬
ognized as Sole Chief by the Americans — Black Hawk and His Party Ordered to
Remove West of the Mississippi — His Refusal and His Efforts to Incite the
Indians of the Neighboring Tribes to go on the War Path against the
Whites — His Removal Across the Mississippi — His Dissatisfaction and Return,
and the Outbreak of the Black Hawk War — His Defeat of Maj. Stillman — His
Attack on the Fort at Buffalo Grove and His Defeat of Col. Posey — His Reverse
on the Wisconsin and his Overthrow at the Battle of Bad Ax — Gen. Richard Gentry
Commands the Missouri Militia During the Early Part of the War — His Expedition
to Ft. Pike and Return — Capt. Nathan Boone’s Company of Rangers and Whom
They Were — Present Survivors — His Expedition to Rock Island — Threatened
Outbreak of the Indians on the Southwestern Frontier — Capt. Boone’s Company
and Others Sent to Prevent It — Their March to Ft. Gibson and on Beyond the
Cross-Woods, Near New Mexico — The Capture and Death of Sergt. Abbey —
Hardships and Privations — Private Cottle Narrowly Escapes Starvation on the
Plains — Return of the Rangers to Ft. Gibson and Their Discharge.

The Florida War. — Capt. Knott Organizes Part of a Company in this County —
Whom the Volunteers now Remembered Were — The Cause of the War — Gov.
Boggs’ Call for Volunteers — A Regiment formed, Commanded by Col. Richard
Gentry — Presented with a Silk Flag at Columbia — Capt. Knott’s Men Join Them
at St. Louis — Knott’s Volunteers Consolidated with Capt. Jackson’s Company —
Jackson Retains Command of the Company and Knott Returns Home — Gentry’s
Regiment Ordered to New Orleans, thence to Tampa Bay, Florida — A Storm on
the Gulf — The March to Lake Okeechobee — The Battle of Okeechobee and Van-
quishment — The Gallantry of the Missourians — They Surpassed the Regulars
and Carried off the Honor of the Victory — The Heroism of Col. Gentry — He Dies
on the Field, Bravely Leading His Men, Just as the Battle is Won — The Return
of the Missourians and the Interment of the Remains of Col. Gentry at St. Louis

(148)

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY/

149

with Military Honors — The Government Erects a monument in Honor of His
Memory — Col. Taylor’s Jealousy and Criticism of the Brave Missourians — The
Missourians Vindicated by an Investigation.

The Slicker Troubles. — Slickers and Anti-Slickers — Origin of the Slickers —
Their First Intentions Good — Subsequent Abuse of their Power — Rise of the Anti-
Slickers — Divers Whippings, Murders, Depredations and Criminal Trials — Good
Men on Both Sides — Both Organizations at Last Fall to Pieces and the Law Re¬
sumes its Sway.

The Mexican War. — The Cause Attributed to the Annexation of Texas — Plan of
Operations of the Americans — The Missourians under Col. Doniphan — Capt.
McCausland’s Company of Volunteers from this County and Whom they Were —
Presented with a Silk Flag at St. Charles — Mustered into the Service at St. Louis —
Failed to reach Ft. Leavenworth in Time to Accompany Gen. Kearney (or Col.
Doniphan) to Santa Fe — Meet Four other Missouri Companies at Ft. Leaven¬
worth — The Oregon Battalion Organized — Dr. Ludwell E. Powell of this County
Elected Colonel — Threatened Outbreak of the Indians on the Upper Missouri, on
Account of the Withdrawal of the Regular Troops from there for the Mexican
War — The March to Old Ft. Kearney — Expedition against the Sioux to Ft. Ver¬
million — New Ft. Kearney Built and Garrisoned — Close of the Mexican War —
Mustering out of the Volunteers — Whom Capt. McCausland Was — Col. Powell.
The Civil War. — Attributed to the Slavery Agitation — Cost of the War and the Great
Sacrifice of LifeMade — Conflicting Views held Prior to Its Outbreak — Election of
Mr. Lincoln — The Secession of the Southern States — Government Re-enforcement
of Federal Forts in the South — This Resisted and Ft. Sumpter Fired Upon — Atti¬
tude of Missouri Shortly Preceding and Following the Outbreak of the War — Gov.
Jackson Calls for State Militia and Companies of the State Guard Organized — Gen.
Lyon Given Command of the Government Troops at St. Louis — Under President
Lincoln’s Call Union Volunteers are Enlisted — The Capture of Camp Jackson —
Condition of Affairs in St. Charles County — Capt. Richard Overall Organizes an
Artillery Company Under Gov. Jackson’s Call — They Fail to Get the Necessary
Ordinance and Therefore Dissolve — Prompt Organization of German Companies of
Union Home Guards — Anti-Slavery Views of the Germans and Their Unanimity
for the Union Cause — Judge Krekel the Leader of the Union Element in this
County — Twelve Companies of Home Guards Organized — Judge Krekel Elected
Colonel of the Regiment — Principal Officers of the Companies — Their Encamp¬
ment at Camp Krekel — Value of their Services to the Union Cause — The United
States Reserve Corps for Home Service Formed of Home Guard Volunteers — This
and the Home Guards, with other Volunteers, Afterwards Merged into a Reg-
■ j iment of Missouri State Militia and a Regiment of Enrolled Militia — Services
Performed by the Two Regiments — Other Companies of Union Volunteers En¬
rolled in the County — Total Number of Union Volunteers from the County — Dif¬
ficulties in the Way of the Enlistment of Southern Volunteers —Dr. Johnson’s
Company — A Fight at Mt. Zion, in Boone County — His Capture — Other Southern
Volunteers from the County — The Restoration of Peace — Fraternity and Good
Feeling.

Although there was never a great Indian war in Missouri, there
were frequent Indian outbreaks in the early settlement of the State,
and many revolting outrages were committed. As the first white set¬
tlements north of the river were made in St. Charles county, this
county was the scene of some of the first Indian outrages in North
Missouri.

150

'HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Prior to the transfer of the country to the United States, we have
little or no information of the condition of affairs between the Indians
and the French and Spanish settlers. Their relations, however, were
nominally friendly, as the relations afterwards were between the
Americans and Indians, and until about the time of the outbreak of
the War of 1812. There was a large number of Indians in the coun¬
try, representatives of different tribes, and although they were on
terms of nominal peace with the whites, with characteristic Indian
perfidy they were guilty of a number of outrages — murders, and
robberies and other depredations.

Between the years 1805 and 1808 no less than ten white settlers of
the county were murdered. They were : Joseph Price, M. Lewis,
Malachi Baldridge, Abraham Keithlev, James Callaway, Hutchins Mc-

Dearmon, - McMillan, - Gilmore, - Duff, and a colonist

at Portage Des Sioux , whose name is not recalled. Price, Lewis and
Baldridge were killed while on a bear hunt. They, with George and
Michael Price, had gone up the river as far as Callaway county, and
in the vicinity of Nine Mile Prairie had killed a bear which they were
skinning when they were fired upon. Joseph Price was killed instantly
and Lewis was mortally wounded. George and Michael Price and
Baldridge, the latter of whom was slightly wounded, fled. After
running some miles, believing that they were out of the reach of the
Indians, they stopped at a small stream to get a drink of water. But
to provide against danger, Baldridge stood guard while the other two
went down the stream a short distance to drink, and after their return
they stood guard for Baldridge. He was fired upon and killed while
drinking, and his body was never recovered. His companions fled for
their lives and reached home in safety.

From this time the condition of affairs continued to grow worse,
and resulted finally in open hostilities, about the time of the outbreak
of the War of 1812. In anticipation of trouble between Great Britain
and the United States, the authorities of the latter and of Missouri
and Illinois made frequent efforts to conciliate the Indians and to in¬
duce them to at least take a position of neutrality in the approaching
war. With that object in view, early in May, 1812, a grand convo¬
cation of Indian chiefs was called to meet at St. Louis, and thence to
send representatives to Washington for the purpose of concluding a
definite and permanent peace. At this meeting the Little Osages, the
Sacs, the Foxes, the Shawnees and the Delawares were represented.
But there had been troubles between the Indian tribes themselves, and
they were not disposed to act in harmony with each other. However,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

151

the chiefs of several of the above nations accompanied Gen. Clark to
Washington City, where a sort of peace was patched up, but it
amounted to but very little. The Sacs and Foxes refused to come to
any terms at all.

Meanwhile Tecumseh, one of the ablest chiefs between the Ohio
and the Mississippi, had for several years been carrying on a desper¬
ate war against the American settlers in the Wabash region. He- was
easily influenced to identify himself with the British. Enlisting him¬
self in their service, together with a large following of warriors from
different tribes, he not only became a formidable enemy as a fighter,
but exerted himself with great address and success to the work of
uniting the tribes further west, including those of the Mississippi
and Missouri river regions, against the Americans. They it was, he
argued, who had driven the Indians from their homes and hunting
grounds on this side of the lakes, and not the British ; that the Brit¬
ish had promised him not to molest his race south of the lakes ; and
that if the Americans succeeded, the Indians would be driven out,
and on across the plains to the shores of the Pacific sea. The Sacs
and Foxes, who combined, constituted one of the strongest forces of
warriors in the Mississippi and Missouri river country, at once made
common cause with him and the British against the Americans.
Large numbers of warriors from other tribes, and, indeed, several
whole tribes combined with the Sacs and Foxes under the leadership
of Black Hawk. His base of operations was on the Upper Missis¬
sippi near the mouth of Bock river, in Illinois. From there bands
of warriors were sent out against the Americans, both south and
east.

The settlers of Missouri, principally in St. Louis and St. Charles
counties, appreciating the danger of their situation, lost no time in
preparing themselves for the protection of their homes. Gov. How¬
ard resigned his office and took the field against the Indians and
co-operated with Gov. Edwards of Illinois in guarding the Missis¬
sippi and protecting the left flank of Gen. Harrison on the lakes.
St. Louis organized a force of 500 mounted rangers, and established
a cordon of block houses on the Mississippi from the Kaskaskia to the
mouth of the Illinois. In St. Charles county a number of forts were
built, and from time to time several companies of rangers were
formed for defensive and offensive operations. The principal forts
erected here were Daniel M. Boone’s fort, in Darst’s Bottom, which
was the largest and strongest one in the county; Howell’s fort, on
Howell’s Prairie ; Pond’s fort, on the Dardenne Prairie, a short dis-

152

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

lance south-east of the present town of Wentzville ; White’s fort,
on Dog Prairie ; Kountz’ fort, on the Boone’s Lick road, eight miles
west of St. Charles ; Zumwalt’s fort, near the present town of
O’Fallon ; and Castlio’s fort, near Howell’s Prairie. Kennedy’s
fort was located in the same vicinity, but across in Warren county,
near Wright City ; and Callaway’s fort was near Marthasville, at the
French village of Charette.

The first year or two of the war, so far as this county was con¬
cerned, produced nothing of general importance. True, there were a
number of murders and depredations committed by straggling Indians,
but aside from these the people were unmolested. Offensive opera¬
tions, however, were begun early in 1814. A garrison was estab¬
lished at Prairie du Chien, up the Mississippi, in Crawford county,
Wis., in order to prevent Indian raids down in the settlements along
the river below. But most of the men composing the garrison there
were enlisted for only sixty days, and when their time expired they
returned home, leaving only a small force of about 100 men to guard
the fort.

As this point was too important to be abandoned, and it being
threatened by the British and Indians, it was decided to send re-en¬
forcements to the garrison in which, by the way, there were a num¬
ber of volunteers from St. Charles county. Accordingly, Lieut.
Campbell was dispatched with 42 regulars and 65 rangers in three
keel-boats, accompanied by a fourth boat belonging to the sutler and
contractor which was loaded with provisions and clothing for the
garrison. The rangers were commanded by Lieuts. Rector and
Riggs. The fleet proceeded without accident or incident worthy of
mention until it entered the rapids, near the mouth of Rock river,
about 200 miles from its destination, when it was visited by a large
number of Sacs and Foxes, who pretended to be peaceably inclined.
The officers, deceived by the friendly overtures of' the Indians were
thus led, unsuspectingly, into the catastrophe which followed.

The boat belonging to the sutler and contractor had arrived near
the head of the rapids, and was proceeding on its course, having on
board, besides provisions and clothing, a large store of ammunition
for the garrison and the usual sergeant’s guard. The boats of the
rangers followed next and then came the boat of Lieut. Campbell
with the regulars.

On account of a high wind, Lieut. Campbell’s boat became unman¬
ageable and finally grounded within a few yards of a high bank,
which was covered with a thick growth of grass and willows. Seeing

o o o

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

153

that it was useless to attempt to make headway while the wind con¬
tinued high, he decided to remain were he was until it abated. Sen¬
tinels were sent on shore and stationed at proper intervals, whilst
several of the men began to prepare breakfast. In a few moments
they were startled by the report of guns, and at the first fire all the
sentinels were killed. The rest of the men on shore started for the
boat where their guns were, but before they could reach it 15 of ‘the
30 were killed or wounded. In a few minutes, from 500 to 700 war¬
riors were among the willows on the bank and within a few yards of
the boat. With load yells and whoops they commenced a tremendous
fire. The men on the boat, undaunted by the loss of their compan¬
ions, the overpowering number of their foe, and the suddenness of
the attack, cheered lustily and returned fire from their rifles and a
small swivel, which they had on board. At this juncture Lieuts.
Rector and Riggs, seeing the smoke and judging that an attack had
been made, pulled down the stream as rapidly as possible to the relief
of their comrades. Riggs’ boat ran aground about a hundred yards be¬
low Campbell’s, and Rector, to avoid a similar misfortune and save
himself from a raking fire, anchored above. A brisk fire from both
boats was immediately opened upon the Indians, but as the latter
were under cover, but little execution was done.

The unequal contest lasted for more than an hour, when Campbell’s
boat was discovered to be on fire, and in order to save the men, Rec¬
tor, cutting his cable, pulled down along the side of the burning boat
and took the men on board. A retreat was then ordered and the
boats fell away from the shore to a safe distance. The Americans
lost 12 killed, and between 20 and 30 wounded. The expedition
was abandoned, and about the same time the garrison at Prairie du
Chien surrendered to the British.

The Indians were under the command of Black Hawk, and the fol¬
lowing is his account of the affair : —

“ Sometime afterwards [after his return from the expedition North]
five or six boats arrived, loaded with soldiers going to Prairie du Chien
to re-enforce the garrison. They appeared friendly, and were well re¬
ceived. We held a council with the war chief. We had no intention
of hurting him, or any of his party, or we could easily have defeated
them. They remained with us all day, and gave us plenty of whisky.
During the night a party arrived and brought us six kegs of powder.
They told us that the British had gone to Prairie du Chien and taken
the fort, and wished us to join them again in the war, which we
agreed to. I collected my warriors, and determined to pursue the

154

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

boats, which had sailed with a fair wind. If we had known the
day before, we could easily have taken them all, as the war chief used
no precautions to prevent it. I immediately started in pursuit by
land with my party, thinking that some of their boats might get
aground, or that the Great Spirit might put them in our power, if He
wished them taken and their people killed.

“About half-way up the rapids I had a full view of the boats, all
sailing with a strong1 wind. I soon discovered that one boat was
badly managed, and was suffered to be driven ashore by the wind.
They landed by running hard aground, and lowered their sail. The
others passed on. This boat the Great Spirit gave us. We ap¬
proached it cautiously, and fired upon the men on shore. All that
could, hurried aboard, but they were unable to push off, being fast
aground. We advanced to the river’s bank, under cover, and com¬
menced firing at the boat. Our balls passed through the plank and
did execution, as I could hear them screaming in the boat. I en¬
couraged mv braves to continue firing. Several guns were fired from
the boat without effect. I prepared my bow and arrows to throw fire
into the sail, which was lying on the boat, and after two or three at¬
tempts, succeeded in setting the sail on fire. The boat was soon in
flames.

“About this time one of the boats that had passed returned, and
dropping anchor, swung in close to the boat on fire and took off all
the people, except those killed and badly wounded. We could dis¬
tinctly see them passing from one boat to the other, and fired on them
with good aim. We wounded the war chief in this way. Another
boat now came down, dropped her anchor, which did not take hold,
and was drifted ashore. The other boat cut her cable and drifted
down the river, leaving their comrades without attempting to assist
them. We then commenced an attack upon the boat, and fired several
rounds. They did not return the fire. We thought they were afraid,
or had but a small number on board. I therefore ordered a rush to
the boat. When we got near they fired and killed two of our men,
these being all we lost in the engagement. Some of their men jumped
out and pushed off the boat, thus getting away without losing a man.
I had a good opinion of their war chief who managed so much better
than the others. It would give me pleasure to shake him by the hand.
We now put out the fire on the captured boat to save the cargo, when
a skiff was discovered coming down the river. Some of our people
cried out, ‘ Here come an express from Prairie du Chien ! ’ We
hoisted the British flag, but they would not land. They turned their

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

155

boat around and rode up the river. We directed a few shots at them
in order to bring them to, but they were so far off that we could
not hurt them.”

An interesting incident of the relief expedition to Prairie du Chien
is related in the account of it, handed down by William Keithley, one
of the pioneers of the county, and a member of the expedition. They
reached Rock river on the 12th of June, 1814, as stated in his account,
and the next day met a party of Indians, under Black Hawk, who
pretended to be friendly and proposed a treaty. While the terms of
the treaty were being discussed, and all, apparently, was progressing
smoothly, the Indians challenged the whites for a foot race. The lat¬
ter, desiring to manifest the utmost spirit of good humor and sociability,
accepted the challenge, and on both sides wagers were put up, consist¬
ing principally of articles of wearing apparel and blankets. The whites
selected for their champion a little man named Peter Harpool, who was
so small that the Indians laughed at him and thought they would have
an easy victory. But he was remarkably fleet of foot, and when the
race came off he beat the Indian matched against him bv all odds.
They were greatly surprised at this, and not a little chagrined. Gath¬
ering around Harpool, they pointed at him in astonishment, and talked
excitedly in their native tongue, accompanying their remarks with
gestures and signs which indicated anything but kindness and friend¬
ship. Early the next morning the attack was made on the whites, and
Harpool was one of the first killed. It is believed their defeat in the
race of the day before contributed much to influence them for the
murderous work resolved upon by Black Hawk.

Lieut. Riggs, who, with Lieut. Rector, had command of the rangers
of the expedition, had previously served under Capt. James Calla¬
way, of this county, who organized the first company of rangers in
the county after the outbreak of the War of 1812, or the Indian war,
as it was known here. Lieut. Riggs was also with Capt. Callaway
at the time of the latter’s death in the unfortunate Indian ambuscade
on Loutre creek, an account of which is given below. Capt. Calla¬
way’s first company was organized in 1813, and though made up prin¬
cipally of volunteers from St. Charles county, it contained several
from neighboring settlements in Lincoln and Warren. The following
names are found on its muster rolls, which are still preserved : Captain,
James Callaway ; first lieutenant, Prospect K. Robbins ; second lieuten¬
ant, John B. Stone ; first sergeant, Larkin S. Callaway ; second sergeant,
John Baldridge ; third sergeant, Wm. Smith ; cornet, Jonathan Riggs ;
trumpeter, Thos. Powell. Privates — Frank McDermid, John Stewart,

156

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

John Atkinson, Robert Truitt, Francis Howell, Joseph Hinds, Richard
Baldridge, Lewis Crow, Benjamin Howell, Anthony C. Palmer, Daniel
Hays, Boone Hays, Adams Zumwalt, Jr., John Howell and James
Kerr. It was this company, or a part of it, together with other vol¬
unteer rangers, who was with Lieut. Riggs in the affair at the rapids
above Rock river, the term of the enlistment of the men under Calla¬
way having expired a short time before.

After the return of the relief expedition, Capt. Callaway immedi¬
ately organized another company and marched against the British and
Indians at Rock Island. This company was composed of the following
volunteers : Captain, James Callaway ; first lieutenant, David Bai ley;
second lieutenant, Jonathan Riggs. Privates — James McMullin,
Hiram Scott, Frank McDermid, William Keithley, Thomas Bowman,
Robert Baldridge, James Kennedy, Thomas Chambers, Jacob Groom,

Parker Hutchings, - Wolf, Thomas Gilmore, John Baldridge,

Joshua Deason, James Murdock, William Kent, and John E. Berry.
On reaching Rock Island, they found a greatly superior force of the
enemy intrenched there, but Capt. Callaway, nevertheless, ordered an
attack, which was made with great gallantry and impetuosity. The
British and Indians outnumbered the rangers ten to one, but a spir¬
ited fight was kept up for nearly an hour, when, at last, being at every
disadvantage, and after the loss of a number of men, the gallant assail¬
ants were compelled to retire, seeing that it was a physical impossi¬
bility to carry the works of the enemy. They fell back to Cap-au-Gris,
and shortly afterwards returned home.

Some time after the fight at Rock Island a party of Indians pushed
down into the settlements of Missouri along the Loutre. Early on
the morning of the 7th of March, 1815, Capt. Callaway, with Lieut.
Riggs and 14 men — McMullen, Scott, McDermid, Robert and John
Baldridge, Hutchings, Kennedy, Chambers, Wolf, Gilmore, Deason,
Murdock, Kent and Berry — left Fort Clemson, on Loutre island, in
pursuit ot the Indians, who had been committing numerous depreda¬
tions in the vicinity. They swam the Loutre on their horses and fol¬
lowed the Indian trail, which led them up the west bank of the river.
Reaching Prairie fork, a branch of the Loutre, they also swam it,
some 75 yards above its mouth ; and from this on they advanced with
great caution, as they felt certain that they were only a short distance
in the rear ot the Indians and might possibly be ambuscaded. At
about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, when some 12 miles from where they
had crossed Prairie fork, they came upon some stolen horses secreted
in a bend of Loutre creek and guarded by only a few squaws. The

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

157

squaws fled oti the approach of the rangers and the latter secured the
horses. Proceeding further in their pursuit, no other Indians were
overtaken, although the trail showed that there were between 75 and
100 in the party. At last, failing to overtake the Indians, or rather
losing the trail altogether, for it disappeared as if the party had
scattered, Capt. Callaway decided to return.

Lieut. Riggs, who was an old Indian fighter and a man of great
caution and good judgment, as well as of dauntless courage, had his
suspicions aroused by the disappearance of the trail of the Indians,
and told Capt. Callaway that he believed they had scattered to throw
their pursuers off the track and to form an ambuscade for the rangers
on the return of the latter home. His advice was not to return by
the same route they came. But Capt. Callaway believed that the In¬
dians had left the settlements and that no more of them would be
seen. He accordingly dismissed the well grounded suspicions of
Lieut. Riggs and proceeded with his men back by the same route they
had come. A short time before reaching Prairie fork they stopped
to let their horses rest and to refresh themselves with a lunch. Riggs
anticipated an attack, if the Indians were in the vicinity at all, at the
crossing of Prairie fork, which was peculiarly favorable for an ambus¬
cade ; and he expostulated with Capt. Callaway not to think of cross¬
ing the creek at that point, for he was satisfied the Indians would be
found in ambush there. His suspicions, however, were again dis¬
missed by Capt. Callaway, and soon all were on the march home.
Hutchings and McDermid were in advance and were leading the horses
recovered from the Indians, whilst Callaway, Riggs and the rest of the
company were some 50 yards behind. On reaching the creek the
three in advance plunged into the water with their horses, and were
swimming across when a volley of deadly shots rang out and all three
fell dead from their saddles on the opposite shore.

Hearing the firing in advance, Callaway and his men dashed bravely
forward to the assistance of their comrades, but they in turn also re¬
ceived a raking fire. Capt. Callaway’s horse was instantly killed and
he received a slight wound in the left arm, barely escaping death by
the ball striking his watch in his left breast pocket which was com¬
pletely shattered. He sprang from his horse and gained the opposite
bank, but as a perfect storm of balls was falling around him he plunged
into the water again as the best protection from their deadly effect.
He was swimming rapidly down the creek when a ball struck him in
the head from the rear, which passed through and lodged in his fore

158

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

head. He sank immediately, but his body was afterwards taken out
and mutilated by the Indians, and his scalp taken.

In the meantime Lieut. Higgs and the rest of the men were hotly
engaged and were forced to retreat, lighting as the}' fell back. Scott
and Wolf became separated from their comrades, and the former was
killed. Wolf escaped to the fort and was the first to bring the news
of the disaster. Riggs and the others fell back about a mile, and,
turning to the right, crossed Prairie fork about the same distance
above its mouth, making a wide circuit thence for the fort, which they
succeeded in reaching: without further molestation. The following:
day the company returned to the scene of the massacre for the pur¬
pose of burying the dead. The bodies of Hutchings, McDermid and
McMullin had been cut to pieces and hung on surrounding bushes.
The remains were gathered up and buried in one grave, near the spot
where the unfortunate men wTere killed. Capt. Callaway’s body was
not found until several days afterwards. It was taken and wrapped
in blankets and buried on the side of an abrupt hill overlooking Loutre
creek. Several months afterwards the grave was walled in with rough
stones and a flat slab was laid across the head on which was engraved :

“ Capt. James Callaway, March 7, 1815.” Thus ended the so-called
Indian war, as far as the people of St. Charles county were interested
in it, and a most unfortunate ending it was.

Capt. Callaway was a man of great bravery and a leader whom the
sturdy, resolute pioneers of that day delighted to follow. He knew
no such feeling as fear, and his disregard of danger was so great that
it amounted to a fault. Like many brave men, he was not as cautious
and cool-headed as he ought to have been for a safe and successful
officer. Whatever courage would do he would accomplish, and where
figditing: was to be done face to face and hand to hand, he was without
a superior. The Indians knew him and feared him above all others;
and if with his splendid courage he had united reasonable caution and
a discriminating, calculating judgment, he would have been a leader
worthy a place among the first Indian fighters of the country. Even
as it was he performed services of inestimable value to the early set¬
tlers ; and such was the confidence reposed in him by them that they
were ready to follow him in preference to all others, wherever he saw
fit to lead, and such the fear his name inspired among the Indians that
this alone prevented many raids upon the settlements which would
have otherwise been made. They knew that when they came within
reach of him they must fight to the death or fly the country without
ceremony.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

159

Lieut. Riggs was a man of cooler judgment than Capt. Callaway,
and not less courageous. But the fact that he often advised caution
when an attack was to be made or resisted, prevented him from receiv¬
ing the credit for the dauntless bravery he invariably showed. Never¬
theless, he had the confidence of all, and stood only second to Capt.
Callaway in the admiration of their men. Whilst Capt. Callaway
was, perhaps, better suited to command where desperate fighting was
to be done and regardless of consequences, Lieut. Riggs was unques¬
tionably his superior as a general officer — -to plan movements, calcu¬
late results and conduct successful operations. He afterwards became
a prominent citizen of Lincoln county and served as judge of the
county court and in the office of sheriff for a number of years. In the
Black Hawk War he rose to the rank of brigadier-general of volun-
teers, and afterwards held a similar command in the State militia.

Before passing from the events of these early Indian troubles, it
should be noticed that the volunteers mentioned in the two companies
of Capt. Callaway were by no means all in the county who did valu¬
able service in the defense of the settlements. Capt. Callaway, him¬
self, from time to time, had other companies, and Capt. Nathan Boone
had a company which bore an honorable part in the Indian troubles of
the times. Volunteers from this county also served in companies in
other counties, including the companies of Capts. Craig and Musik.
Several St. Charles' volunteers were of the party that pursued and de¬
feated the Indians who murdered the Ramsey family, the day after
the massacre occurred. That, however, and similar events in other
counties, belong more properly to the histories of those counties.

What is known as the Black Hawk War grew out, primarily, of
a factional fight for the chiefship among the united Sacs and Fox
Indians, between Black Hawkand Keokuk. During the War of 1812,
or rather during the Indian troubles on the Upper Mississippi and
Lower Missouri between 1811 and 1815, Black Hawk had unquestion¬
ably been recognized as the war chief of the combined tribes ; and he
also had under his command a large following of Winnebagoes and
volunteers from other tribes. Early identifying himself with the
British, in 1812, he went to join their forces at Green Bay with a large
number of warriors. While absent on this expedition, his people,
fearing an attack from the Americans, held a council and chose Keo¬
kuk to act as chief in their defense. On Black Ha wk’s return he found
Keokuk installed as chief of his people, and that the latter had so
ingratiated himself with them, that he had a strong following. Black

160

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Hawk, however, continued to act as principal war chief, and matters
moved along thus until the close of the War of 1812.

In July, 1815, the war having closed, the Indians of the different
tribes which had been in hostility to the Americans, were invited to
assemble in council at Portage des Sioux, in St. Charles county, to
treat for peace. The commissioners on the part of the United States
were Gov. Clark, of Missouri, Gov. Edwards, of Illinois, and Auguste
Chouteau, of St. Louis, Robert Walsh, of Baltimore, being secretary
of the commission. Treaties were made between the Pottawatamies,
Piankeshaws, Sioux, Omahas, Kickapoos, Osages, Iowas, Kansas, and
the party of the Sacs and Foxes which recognized Keokuk as chief.
But the Black Hawk party refused to attend the council or to be
governed by the treaty which Keokuk had signed. They claimed that
he had always been the secret friend of the Americans. By this
treaty Keokuk ceded, or confirmed a former cession of an immense
territory on both sides of the Mississippi north of the Missouri and
Illinois rivers. This grant Black Hawk claimed was a fraud and had
never been made by any proper authority on the part of the Indians.
The territory so ceded included the home of the Sacs and Foxes, east
of the Mississippi, above Rock river. The Indians, however, continued
to reside there unmolested until 1823, when, as white settlers began
to pour in and trouble became imminent, Keokuk with his party, on
the advice of the Indian agent at Fort Armstrong, withdrew to the
western side of the Mississippi, where he received a present of forty
square miles of land. Black Hawk and his followers refused to aban¬
don their hunting grounds, but declared they would remain and defend
their homes against all comers. As they refused to recognize the
treaty, or the authority of the Americans, they were regarded as ene¬
mies of the white settlers and became known as the “ British band ”
throughout all the settlements. Of course collisions between the In¬
dians and whites became almost every day occurrences, and much bad
feeling was engendered. Stock were driven off, fields destroyed, houses
burned, women and children terrified and abused, and practically a
state of war inaugurated. At last the government sold the land
on which Black Hawk’s village was situated and he was ordered to
leave.

Black Hawk put forth every exertion in his power to secure allies for
the defense of his home among the other neighboring Indian tribes, and
especially to win over the Keokuk party to his cause, but all was with¬
out avail. The majority of Keokuk’s men sympathized with Black
Hawk, and were anxious to be led on the war path by him, but through

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

161

the influence of Keokuk were restrained from doing so by the assur¬
ance that if they went to war again with the Americans, they would
lose even the homes they had on the western side of the river. Thus
left to rely only on the few hundred braves he had in his own party.
Black Hawk, on the approach of the Illinois militia and some regulars,
retired across the river and consented to recognize Keokuk as sole
chief. But he and his band were greatly dissatisfied and frequently
his warriors crossed the river <4 to steal roasting-ears out of their own
corn fields,” as he put it. Finally, in April, 1832, Black Hawk and his
whole band formally crossed the river 44 to settle down,” as they said,
44 and plant corn and live in peace.” He was a second time ordered out,
but refused to go, and the 44 Black Hawk War” was inaugurated.

Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, ordered out the militia of that State and
a fight occurred at Stillman’s Run, so-called from the fact that at the
first fire the militia, under Maj. Stillman, numbering nearly 300, or
two to one more than the Indians, fled precipitately. This and subse¬
quent successes brought Black Hawk a large number of volunteers
from Keokuk’s band and the Winnebagoes, and a sharp and spirited
struggle followed. Black Hawk attacked the fort at Buffalo Grove,
but retired without reducing it. On his retreat, however, he met a
detachment of volunteers under Col. Posey, whom he defeated. On
the Wisconsin 40 Indians were killed and about 300 more at Bad
Axe.

Meanwhile the proximity of these hostilities to the Missouri frontier
caused Gov. Miller to adopt precautionary measures to avert the ca¬
lamities of an invasion which seemed imminent. In May, 1832, he
ordered Maj. -Gen. Richard Gentry to enlist a thousand volunteers
without delay. Gen. Gentry issued orders to Brig. -Gens. James
Miens, commanding the Seventh brigade, Jonathan Riggs, commanding
the Eighth, Jesse T. Wood, commanding the Ninth, all of the Third
Missouri division, to furnish the required quota. Accordingly, com¬
panies were formed in Boone, Callaway, Montgomery, St. Charles,
Lincoln, Pike, Marion, Ralls, Clay and Monroe counties. The com¬
pany organized in this county was not formed, however, as early as
those organized in some of the other counties, nor in time to take
part in the expedition to Ft. Pike. That expedition was made by a de¬
tachment composed of the companies of Capt. John Jamison, of Cal¬
laway county, and Capt. David N. Hickman,* of Boone county, under
Maj. Thomas W. Conyers, accompanied by Gen. Gen try in person.

They proceeded at once to the northern frontier of the State, ar¬
riving at Palmyra July 10, and at Ft. Pike, ten miles from the mouth

162

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

of the Des Moines river, five days later. Finding no Indians on the
war path there, Gen. Gentry shortly returned to Columbia, but left
Maj. C onyers in command of the two companies garrisoned at Ft.
Pike. About a month after this the companies of Capt’s. Jamison
and Hickman were relieved bj^ those of Capts. Kirtly, of Boone county,
and Ewing, of Callaway county, Maj. Conyers still continuing in
command of the fort.

In September, following, no Indian troubles occurring in the vicin¬
ity of Ft. Pike and there being little danger of an Indian raid in that
locality, the detachment was ordered back and honorably mustered
out of the service. This, however, was before the actual close of the
war, which was not concluded until after the decisive battle at Bad
Axe, where Black Hawk was defeated, mainly by Illinois troops,
under Gen. Atkinson. Shortly afterwards Black Hawk was captured
by a couple of Winnebagoes, who betrayed him and brought him into
Gen. Atkinson’s camp at Prairie du Chien. The remainder of the
old chief’s days were spent principally in one of the villages of his
tribe and under the chiefship of Keokuk, whom the whites uniformly
recognized and treated with as chief.

Meanwhile, a short time prior to the battle of Bad Axe, Capt.
Nathan Boone had completed the organization of his company in this
county, which was enlisted for twelve months, and known as the St.
Charles Mounted Rangers. The company numbered a hundred vol¬
unteers besides the officers, but only the names of the following are
now remembered by Mr. Lorenzo Cottle, one of the few survivors of
the company and who has kindly furnished us these facts : Nathan
Boone, captain; James Hamilton, first lieutenant (a West Point

graduate); - Butler, second lieutenant; George Abby, orderly

sergeant ; Taylor McCutchen, E. Overall, John B. Allen, Evan Johnson,
Randle Smith, Abraham Roundtree and brother, Noah and Gabriel
Zumwalt, Pizaro Howell, David Finch, David Rue, Lorenzo Cottle
and Irvin Johnson. The only survivors are Ezra Overall, Irvin John¬
son, John B. Allen, Taylor McCutchen and Lorenzo Cottle.

Capt. Boone received orders to proceed at once to Rock Island,
where the main body of the forces of the whites (militia and regulars)
were stationed. On the way there he fell in with the company of
Capt. Ford, of Indiana, consisting of a hundred mounted rangers.
When they reached Rock Island Black Hawk had just been de¬
feated at Bad Axe. They remained there, however, for about a month
and were reviewed by Gen. Scott. While there the cholera became
epidemic among the soldiers and was very fatal.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

163

The outbreak of the Black Hawk War had caused a general rise
among the Indians further West and South, particularly of the Co-
manches, who threatened a raid into the southern frontier settle¬
ments. To provide against this a force was sent west, consisting
principally of mounted rangers, including Capt. Boone and his com¬
pany. There were also companies from Indiana and Arkansas. Their
first stop was at Ft. Gibson, in the Indian Territory, where they .win¬
tered, remaining there five months. In the spring of the following
year, 1833, they were ordered still further west, their course being a
little south of west, and were given rations for thirty days, it being
expected that they would reach a fort on the Upper Bed river, about a
hundred miles above what was known as the wreck on the river, where
troops were stationed and further supplies could be had. After they
reached Bed river they camped for a time to refresh themselves and
rest their horses. There, for the first time, they came upon the
Indians, a band of Comanches, who had evidently been following
them for some distance for the purpose of getting an opportunity to
take them by surprise and exterminate them, as had been done with
numerous former expeditions.

One of Capt. Boone’s company, Orderly Sergeant Abby, going
out of camp for the purpose of hunting, unconscious of the presence of
the Indians, was surrounded by them and doubtless murdered, for he
was never heard of afterwards. The detachment that went in search of
him found where he had been surrounded, as was shown by the grass
being beaten down. They had evidently carried him off with them
on their retreat. The whole force of the expedition then went in pur¬
suit of the Indians, who fled after they had taken Abby, finding their
presence was known to the troops. Their trail was followed a number
of days, until finally it was impossible to follow it further, from the
fact that they separated into small parties, all going in different direc¬
tions. Finding it impossible to recover Abby and fearing an ambus¬
cade, for the Indian settlements had been reached, the command now
started on their return to Ft. Gibson.

Meanwhile, their rations had given out long prior to this. But,
fortunately, they were in a country where buffalo were an abundance,
and there was also considerable game, principally turkeys, which were
found in the timber of creek bottoms. The prairies were literally cov¬
ered with herds of buffalo and wild horses. The former were killed
in abundance, and buffalo meat was the main reliance of the troops
for subsistence. The buffalo, however, were extremely poor, and the
meat was such as even the average butcher of these days would not

164

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

think of offering for sale, tough as his conscience might be. They en¬
dured great hardships and privations on the expedition, and were out
in the wilds of the far West for more than three months, finally reach¬
ing Ft. Gibson, almost completely exhausted.

While on this expedition Mr. Cottle narrowly escaped being hope¬
lessly separated from the command and losing his life, either by starv¬
ation or by falling into the hands of the Indians. He went out from
the command a short distance to hunt, and becoming separated from
them further than he expected, lost his “bearing,” or the direction
to take to reach them. He was not aware of his perilous situation
until after he had killed a turkey and had started back to the com¬
mand. After traveling quite as far as he thought was necessary, he
still found no trace of his comrades, and it was impossible to rely on
following their trail, for the whole country was checked with the
trails of wild horses, Indian bands, and buffalo. Finally, giving up
all hope of reaching them, he directed his course toward Ft. Gibson
and expected to make the journey alone, if not prevented by starva¬
tion or overtaken by Indians. Coming down to a creek bottom on the
way, he saw a cluster of saddled horses in the brush which he felt al¬
most certain belonged to the Indians. At this sight his heart beat so
fast and loud that he was almost afraid it would betray his presence
to them. Slipping up stealthily to see, gun in hand, prepared to fight
to the death rather than be taken alive, as soon as he got in full view,
lo ! he found they were his own comrades, and he jumped so with joy
that he almost split his boots. It is needless to say that he went on
no more hunting excursions while on that expedition, and never after¬
wards has he had the fondness for hunting he had prior to his experi¬
ence on the plains.

Soon after the return of the expedition to Ft. Gibson all the Ranger
companies were honorably discharged and came home, after an ab¬
sence of nearly a year.

The Florida War followed a few years after the close after the
Indian or Black Hawk War, and some of the same volunteers from
St. Charles county, who served in the latter served also in the
former. The names of the volunteers from this county, as far as
remembered by Mr. Cottle, are the following : William Knott, cap¬
tain ; William Fitch, Joseph Bozart, Joseph Welot, William Cordell,
and Lorenzo Cottle.

In 1819 Florida was ceded to the United States by Spain, but pos¬
session was not taken by this country until the summer of 1821,
when a territorial government was established. The peninsula was

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

165

mainly inhabited by Seminole Indians, though there were a num¬
ber of colonists from Spain and France and not a few fugitive slaves
from the neighboring States of Alabama and Georgia. Treaties were
made with the Seminoles, by which they relinquished their title to the
country and grants of land were made to them west of the Mississippi.
But when the time came for them to quit Florida a large body of
them, most of them in fact, refused to go. In 1835 an attempt was
made to remove them to the West, but they resisted and took up
arms, rallying under the leadership of their great chief, Osceola, and
open war followed. In May, 1836, the Creeks joined the Seminoles
and the war spread into Georgia. The Creeks, however, were soon over¬
powered and removed to the West. The Seminoles were not so easily
subdued. When defeated in open battle they invariably took refuge
in the swamps and everglades, where it seemed impossible for white
troops to follow them. In October, 1837, Osceola was captured by
Gen. Jessup, and sent a prisoner to Ft. Moultrie, South Carolina,
where he died shortly afterwards. Nevertheless, the war continued
for several years, and Missouri was called upon to furnish a quota of
men for the service.

In September, 1837, the Secretary of War issued a requisition on
Gov. Boggs, of Missouri, for 600 volunteers. The first regiment
enlisted under the authority of the proclamation of the Governor was
composed principally of volunteers from Boone, Howard, Callaway,
St. Charles and one or two other counties. A second regiment was
enlisted consisting of four companies, two of which were composed of
Delaware and Osage Indians. The second regiment was consolidated
with the first, all under the command of Col. Gentry, who, by the
way, had commanded the Missouri volunteers in the Black Hawk
War.

In October the regiment left for the scene of action, but before de¬
parting was presented with a beautiful silk flag at Columbia, by Miss
Wales, of the Female College of that place, and her lady friends.
This was borne with honor to Missouri by her brave volunteers
throughout the war, and Col. Gentry, who fell at the battle of
Okeechobee, gallantly leading his men, with almost his last breath
gave them the command to stand by their flag. It was brought back
in triumph at the close of the war, and presented to Col. Gentry’s
wife, but the brave leader Avho carried it to victory fell upon the field
where his triumph was won.

After leaving Columbia the regiment marched to Jefferson Barracks
below St. Louis, and was there regularly mustered into the service.

166

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Capt. Knott, from this county, joined the regiment with his company
at St. Louis, but it not being a full company he was consolidated with
Capt. Jackson’s company from further up the river, and Jackson hav¬
ing the larger number of men was made captain. Capt. Knott re¬
turned to St. Charles county, but his men remained under Capt.
Jackson.

From St. Louis they proceeded to New Orleans by river, and
thence by brigs across the gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. Being cav¬
alrymen, their horses were also sent across the bay, but in a separate
vessel from the one in which the troops shipped. On the gulf they
were overtaken by a storm and their vessels separated, but all ulti¬
mately reached their destination in safety, the vessel bearing the
horses several days after the men. Finally, taking up the line of
march to the interior, they traveled about 135 miles to Okeechobee
lake, their route laying almost entirely through swamps, everglades,
and small lakes. Their progress was very slow on account of the
difficulties they encountered, for they were in water almost contin¬
uously, and frequently bayous, sloughs, and so forth, had to be
bridged.

In the vicinity of Okeechobee they came upon the whole force of
the Seminoles under their most redoubtable leaders, Mycanopee,
Alligator, Tiger Tail and Sam Jones. Several Indians were cap¬
tured before the main body was reached, and from them the troops
learned the situation of the Indians. The latter were apprised of the
approach of the troops and were prepared for an attack. They had
stationed themselves on a somewhat elevated piece of ground which
was covered with a growth of cypress, live oak, etc., and was just
beyond a long swamp. In making the attack the troops approached
the Indians through this swamp, which was partially covered with
water from shoe-mouth to hip deep. Only a knoll of ground now and
then above the water and covered with grass was perceptible. The
troops were dismounted and made the attack on foot, the Mis¬
sourians, under Col. Gentry, being in front and supported on either
flank by the regulars. Through the entire swamp they were under
a constant shower of balls from the Indians ; but undaunted they
pushed bravely forward to the attack, reserving their own fire until
they could get into a position to make it effective. At first the In¬
dians shot too high, but soon their aim became lower. As the fire of
the enemy became lower and lower the troops first fell to their knees
and were finally compelled to crawl on their hands and feet through
the mud and water. Finally the rendezvous of the Indians was

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

167

reached and with a yell of triumph and a continuous fire the troops
rushed upon them, Col. Gentry leading his men with conspicuous
bravery, far in advance and regardless of all thought of danger. The
battle was short, sharp and decisive. The Indians were completely
routed and the war virtually put to an end. But unfortunately for
the brave Missourians, though they had closed one of the most impor¬
tant Indian wars of the country by their gallantry and intrepidity,
their heroic commander, the valiant and chivalrous Gentry, who
fought in the forefront of the battle as another Henry of Navarre,
and won victorv where defeat seemed inevitable, fell bleeding on the
field mortally wounded. He lived but a short time and his body was
carried off the field by his devoted comrades. He lived to hear the
shouts of triumph of his gallant men as they planted the silken and
victorious banner of Missouri high above the Flowery Peninsula of the
South. Col. Gentry died the death of a soldier and hero, and a num¬
ber of his brave men fell gallantly fighting by his side. A number,
too, were wounded. Among the wounded from this county was Mr.
Cottle, already referred to as a member of Jackson’s company.
Twenty Missourians lost their lives in this engagement and a number
of regulars. Col. Gentry’s remains, together with those of Capt.
Yan Swearingen and Lieuts. Brooke and Centre, of the Sixth regular
United States Infantry, were brought to Jefferson Barracks and
buried, the government erecting above them a suitable monument.
The county of Gentry was named in honor of Col. Gentry’s memory
and the gallant part he took in the Florida War.

Col. Taylor, of the Regular service, in his report of the battle to
the War Department, through jealousy of Col. Gentry and prejudice
against the Missouri volunteers, as it is believed, criticised rather
severely the conduct of the Missourians in the engagement. This
called forth an investigation by the Missouri Legislature which revealed
the utter groundlessness of Col. Taylor’s criticisms. The resolutions
adopted by the two houses contained among other just and well
merited expressions the following language : That “ Col. Gentry fell
at the head of his troop in a manner worthy of the commander of
Volunteers ; and that the conduct of the Volunteer officers and soldiers,
generally, was such as ought to have elicited praise and commenda¬
tion, instead of censure and reproach.”

Though hardly worthy of the designation of a war, the Slicker
troubles of 1841-45 rose to such importance in the affairs of this
county that mention of them could hardly with propriety be omitted.

1G8

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

They are therefore referred to in the present connection, as following
in chronological order the Florida War.

The Slicker organization originated in Benton county, this State, in
about 1841. The name came from the mode of inflicting punish¬
ment by the Slickers, which was to tie the culprit to a tree and
“ slick ” or whip him with hickory withes. He was then given notice
to leave the country within a stated time. They were organized for
the purpose of breaking up a band of horse thieves and counterfeiters
who had their headquarters among the hills and fastnesses of Benton
countv. Similar organizations were formed in various parts of the
State and were known by the general name of “ Slickers.” In some
instances bad men and even the very thieves and counterfeiters against
whom they were warring, contrived to become members of these so¬
cieties and through their evil influence and false and malicious repre¬
sentations innocent and unoffending persons were severely and cruelly
punished. This led to the organization of the anti-Slicker companies,
and in some parts of the State actual war raged betweeen the
opposing factions, and many persons were killed, wounded, or mal¬
treated.

During the high water in June, 1844, several small steamers
ascended the Cuivre river to Chain of Rocks, in Lincoln county,
where there was a small village consisting of several stores, a mill,
one or two shops, etc. One of these boats, called the Bee, made
several trips between St. Louis and that place, and on one of her
trips landed a man at the Chain of Rocks who gave his name as Hal
Grammar, and who proved to be a counterfeiter, horse thief, and bad
character generally.

The next time the Bee came up she brought a peddler, who landed
from the boat and proceeded to the hotel to get his dinner. He left
his pack in the office of the hotel and passed into the dining-room,
and while engaged in eating his dinner Hal Grammar and his confed¬
erates, who at that time were unknown, stole the goods and left.
Grammar was captured soon after, but had disposed of the goods,
which were never found. He escaped from his captors, and it soon
became evident to the citizens that there was a regular organization of
thieves and counterfeiters in their county, and that Grammar was
doubtless the originator and chief of the band.

The county became flooded with counterfeit money ; horses, cattle
and hogs were stolen and run out of the country; and the thieves
finally became so bold that they butchered beef cattle on the farms of

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

169

their owners, and shipped the meat to St. Louis in boats prepared
for the purpose.

The evil having become unendurable, the citizens organized a com¬
pany of Slickers for the purpose of ridding themselves of their griev¬
ance. Many of the best men of the county joined the organization,
and Mr. James Stallard, of Hurricane township, was elected captain.
In the company were such men as Ira T. Nelson, Kolia Mayes, Abra¬
ham and Joshua King, Kufus Gibson, Mitchell Bosman, John and
Malachi Davis, Washington Noel, Lewis G. Martin, Sebran Wallace,
Littleton Dryden, William and Benjamin Cooper, William Wilson,
Thomas Wallace, James Bedows, Abraham Barkhead, Dr. William
Wise, James Day, John Argent, George Smith, John W. McKee,
John Dalton, Joseph Wright, James Oliver, James and John Lindsay,
Kinchen Robinson, Jacob Boone, Levi Bailey, Jacob Groshong,
George Pollard, Elihu Jones, Taylor Crumes, Willis Hutton, Samuel
and James Alexander, Andrew Hill, Jacob Conn, John Loving,
Charles McIntosh, Charles W. Martin, Lawrence B. Sitten, Tandy
K. Nichols, James Blademore Harrison Anderson, Joseph Woodson,
Carroll Sitten, Zoar Perkins, M. Martin, Vincent Shields, and others,
among whom, as was afterward ascertained, were several of the coun¬
terfeiters and thieves. All of those whose names were given were
good, honest, law-abiding citizens, who went into the organization
from the best of motives. Only seven of the entire number are now
living.

The thieves and counterfeiters were hunted out and tried, and
most of them were whipped and ordered to leave the country, which
they were glad to do ; but a few of the ringleaders were executed.

These vigorous measures soon restored peace and security to the
honest people of the county, and the Slickers ought then to^have dis¬
banded, but they kept up their organization, and, as usual with such
bodies, soon began to punish some that were innocent together with
the guilty.

In the spring of 1845 reports came to the Slickers that the sons of
Mr. James Trumbull were in sympathy with counterfeiters, and were
encouraging and abetting them in their unlawful business. The
reports were not true, but were made by malicious and evil minded
persons, and led to a serious and deadly affray. The boys were or¬
dered to leave the country, which they positively refused to do. The
Slickers therefore determined to enforce their order, and one day
about the middle of April, 1845, a party of them went to Trumbull’s
house for that purpose. They arrived about noon, and tound the

170

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

family, who had expected an attack, armed and barricaded in their
house. Mr. Trumbull and his daughter Sarah came out to expostu¬
late with the Slickers and entreat them to go away, declaring that
they and their relatives were entirely innocent of the charges made
against them. But their appeals were unavailing, and they were told
that thev must immediately leave the countrv.

The Slickers at once attacked the house, and John and Malachi
Davis endeavored to enter together. The former was wounded on
the head by a corn knife in the hands of one of the Trumbull girls,
and the latter received two gunshot wounds from one of the boys,
named Squire, from the effects of which he died next day. John
Davis, though suffering severely from his wound, shot both Squire
Trumbull and his brother James, shattering the thigh bone of the for-
mer with a rifle ball, from the effects of which he died several weeks
later. James Trumbull was shot through the mouth and neck, and
fell apparently dead, but finally recovered from his wounds, though
he remained paralyzed the rest of his life. He died several years
afterward, in Arkansas. Several Slickers were wounded, but not
seriously, and they finally withdrew without having accomplished
their purpose.

Among the Slickers engaged in this affair was Kinchen Robinson
who was a great “ blower,” and who styled himself the “ lamp-lighter
of the twelve apostles.” When the fight was over he retreated with
considerable haste, and just as he sprang over the yard fence one of
the Trumbull girls cut the tail of his coat off with a corn knife. His
acquaintances enjoyed a good deal of fun at his expense after that
adventure.

This unfortunate affair became noised over the entire country, and
opposition at once began to manifest itself against the Slickers.
Many who had previously been in full sympathy with them now de¬
nounced them without stint, and demanded that their organization
should be broken up, as they had accomplished their object and
were now going beyond the bounds of reason, and even becoming
outlaws themselves.

A company of anti-Slickers was organized in St. Charles county,
in the vicinity of Flint Hill, with the avowed determination of dis-
persing the Slickers of Lincoln county. They stationed a guard at
Trumbull’s house to prevent further bloodshed, and warned the Slick¬
ers not to cause any more trouble. Mr. James Shelton was elected
captain of this company, and among his men were David McFarlane,
Robert Sheley, Bob Woolfolk, Joseph Allen, Perry Custer, George

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

171

W. Wright, Sam Carter, Scott Evans, Sam Newland, Benjamin and
Oliver Pitts, George M. Coats, Jeff Dyer, George McGregor, Archi¬
bald M. Wade, John T. Daniels, Elliot Lusby, Lewis and Peter Dan¬
iels, Dr. William Coleman, S. L. Barker, Thomas, Amos and Joseph
Dyer, William A. Abington, John P. Allen, and many other leading
men of that part of the county. They were all citizens of St. Charles
county, while the Slickers were all citizens of Lincoln, and* on
that account considerable enmity arose between the people of the two
counties. Both organizations were composed of good men, actuated
by honest motives, but through misrepresentations and the excite¬
ment of the times they were brought into antagonism, and several
lights and skirmishes ensued, in which a number were wounded,
others were whipped and one or two lives were lost. But the excite¬
ment finally died away, and both companies were eventually disbanded.

About two years afterward Captain Shelton, while crossing Cuivre
river in a skiff, was fired upon by some person concealed in the brush
on the Lincoln county side, and his arm was broken. One Jacob
Boone, who had been a Slicker during the late trouble, was accused of
the crime, arrested, and taken to Troy for trial. When his trial came
off he was acquitted, as there was no direct evidence against him, but
the friends of Shelton, a few of whom had attended the trial, de¬
clared that he had escaped justice through the connivance and influ¬
ence of his friends in Lincoln county, who had been his companions
in the Slicker War ; and an angry discussion arose in regard to the
matter during which the old Slicker and anti-Slicker difficulties were
revived and much bitterness was manifested on both sides. That
night as Shelton’s friends were returning home, several of them were
waylaid and fired upon, but fortunately none of them were hurt. The
same evening about dusk, two young men, nephews of Mr. Levi Bailey,
who had expressed anti-Slicker sentiments, were fired upon by par¬
ties in ambush just as they were entering the outer gate that led to
their uncle’s house, where they were going on a visit. One of their
horses was shot through the jaw, and several buckshot passed through
a shawl that one of the boys wore. These events again aroused the
old excitement, which ran high for some time ; and several years
elapsed before the matter was forgotten and friendly feelings restored.

And such was the great Slicker War, which threatened for sometime
to array the citizens of two populous counties in deadly hostility
against each other — to bathe their hearthstones in blood and lay
waste their farms and homes. It teaches a practical lesson that should
not be forgotten, viz. : that good men, with the best intentions, may

172

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

be led into the commission of unjust, unlawful and cruel deeds when
they take the law into their own hands and attempt to punish crim¬
inals and allay crime by summary proceedings.

On the 27th of February, 1845, the authorities of the Republic of
Texas, having formally notified the government at Washington of their
desire for the admission of Texas into the Union, the Congress of the
United States, by a joint resolution, made provision for the admission
of the new State. The terms of the admission were assented to by
the Texas authorities, and on the 4th of July, 1845, the Lone Star
Republic became one in the family of States of the American Union.

Though Texas had asserted and maintained her independence from
Mexico for some years, the latter country had not given up all hope
of coercing the rebellious young Republic back into the Mexican
Union — leastwise had the question of boundary between Mexico and
Texas been settled. Immediately following the admission of Texas
the LTnited States authorities occupied her territory with troops for its
protection against Mexican aggression and the support of her civil
authorities. The Republic of Mexico accepted this as an act of war,
claiming Texas as Mexican territory, and at once took steps to main¬
tain her authority in that State. But the authorities of the United
States were quick to meet the issue, and in a short time two opposing
armies were encamped on the Rio Grande, the American army under
Zachary Taylor and the army of Mexico under Gen. Arista.

A comprehensive plan of operations had been determined upon by
the Americans. One squadron of the navy was ordered to join the
fleet already in the Pacific for an attack upon the Mexican ports in
California; another was to operate in the Gulf of Mexico. An army
of the West assembled at Ft. Leavenworth, Kas., under Gen. Stephen
W. Kearny for the invasion of New Mexico, and, proceeding thence
westward, to co-operate with the Pacific fleet. Gen. Wool collected
at San Antonio another force which constituted the Army of the
Center, and was to invade Mexico from that quarter. Heavy re-enforce¬
ments were sent to the army under Gen. Taylor at Point Isabel,,
known as the Army of Occupation, Space here, however, can not be
given to enter into the details of the general events of the war. Nor
is it necessary or proper, for on these pages only the history of the
war in so far as it was participated in or affected by the volunteers
from this county is expected to be given. Suffice it, therefore, to
say that so far as the general events of the war are concerned, the
Americans were almost invariably victorious, and that it was finally
brought to a triumphant close on the 2d of February, 1848, by the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

173

treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which surrendered to the United States
the vast territory west of the Rio Grande from El Paso and northward,
aside from recognizing the Rio Grande below El Paso as the boundary
between Texas and Mexico.

The volunteers from St. Charles county were intended to become a
part of the command of Gen. Kearny, known as the Army of the West,
but owing to unavoidable delay the expedition for the West, of which
Col. Doniphan afterwards became the distinguished leader, had left
Ft. Leavenworth, Kas., before the company from this county reached
that point, so that by this circumstance their service was reserved for
another field ot* activity. Doniphan’s men came principally from
the counties of Cooper, Howard, Boone, Saline, Callaway, Cole,
Osage, Warren, Gasconade, Montgomery and Chariton, and were
enlisted under the order of Adj .-Gen. Parsons, directing the enroll¬
ment of from 50 to 150 men in each of those counties.

The company of volunteers from this county numbered about ninety
men, not including the officers, and was organized principally by Dr.
Ludwell E. Powell and David McCausland, both prominent citizens of
the county, the latter of whom became captain of the company and
the former colonel of the regiment of which the company was a part.
The names of the other members of the company, or those whose
names are remembered by Judge Hollrah, one of its three surviving

members, are as follows: Antoine LeFaivre, first lieutenant; -

Jones, second lieutenant ; Samuel Muchatt, third lieutenant ; Charles
Kenna, orderly sergeant ; Thomas B. Reynolds, who succeeded Kenna
as orderly sergeant after the latter’s death ; Oliver Pitts, second ser¬
geant ; John LeFaivre, third sergeant; Louis Thedeau, fourth ser¬
geant; Barton Audrain, first corporal; John Janis, second corporal;

- Reed, third corporal ; - Murphy, fourth corporal. Privates :

John H. Hollrah, Dietrich Moll an, David Mullan, John Norris (the
last preceding two buglers), Thomas Amos, George Hunt, Thomas

Carter, Thomas Geiger, Chapley Geiger, - Pratt, - Pringle,

James Simms, — — Chapman, — — Kirks, - Kluester, Fritz

Beller, Antoine Lubring, Benjamin Oldham, August Betholdes, Wil¬
helm Mittog, - Zimmerman, Nelson Boyer, Ed. Saucier, Henry

LeFaivre, John Carpentier, St. Amie Des Lachou, John Barnum,

John Watson, Timothy Hayes, -Jacob Taylor, - Watts, Jacob

Diehr, - Avis, and - Moss.

Before leaving the county for the war the company met in St.
Charles for drill and final leave-taking. They were there presented
with a handsome silk flag made by the ladies of St. Charles, the

174

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

formal presentation being made by Miss Lee, a young lady of the
county of fine accomplishments, and justly popular with all who
knew her, not less for her amiable disposition than for her accom¬
plishments and personal charms. The presentation speech was replied
to by Capt. McCausland in one of his happiest efforts, and the brave-
hearted volunteers then marched off to the war, buoyant with hope,
nobly enthusiastic for the cause of their country, and ambitious to
distinguish themselves on the field of action.

Arriving at St. Louis, they were there duly sworn into the service
and received their arms and uniforms. After a week spent in quar¬
ters at what is known as the “ Old Prairie House,” on the Rock road,
in Elleardsville, they then proceeded, under orders to Ft. Leaven¬
worth, Kas. On reaching that place, as stated above, they found
that Col. Doniphan had already started for the plains. Nevertheless,
they met a number of other Missouri companies at Ft. Leavenworth,
five in all, which were organized into a battalion, known as the Oregon
battalion. The companies were respectively commanded b}' Capt.
Sublett, of St. Louis, Capt. Craig, of Holt county, now Gen.
Craig ; Capt Stewart, of Buchanan county, afterwards Gov. Stewart,

Capt. - , of - , and Capt. McCausland, of this county.

Sublett, of St. Louis, and Dr. Powell, of this county, were sup¬
ported for colonel, but Dr. Powell was elected by a large majority.
The major of the battalion was a West Point graduate, and a mem¬
ber of the regular army.

After the organization of the battalion all remained at Ft. Leaven-
worth for a time, engaged in drilling and garrisoning the fort. But
the Indians on the Upper Missouri, principally the Sioux, taking ad¬
vantage of the absence of troops, were preparing to go on the war
path, and were seriously threatening the upper white settlements. A
part of the Oregon battalion was therefore sent up the river to pre¬
vent them from carrying out their designs. Sixty men from each of the
five companies were detailed for this service, and Capt. McCausland
was placed in command of the detachment. They proceeded at once
to Old Ft. Kearny, on the Upper Missouri, near the Missouri and
Nebraska line.

Shortly after arriving there, on account of the hostile and threat¬
ening attitude of the Sioux, who were still further up the river, Capt.
McCausland went on an expedition with his men against them. They
went up the river as far as Ft. Vermilion, a distance of about 300
miles. The Indians steadily fell back before them, and seeing that
on account of the troops it would be impossible to accomplish any-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

175

thing by attempting to raid the white settlements, they gave up all
hostile designs and gave little or no further trouble.

Returning to Ft. Kearny, Capt. McCausland and his men remained
there until May, 1848, and then started for the present site of New
Ft. Kearny, on the Platte river, out in Nebraska. There they built
the present fort, which is located about 150 miles from Omaha, and
the land site of which Col. Powell bought for the government from
the Pawnees. This fort was established to protect the Western set¬
tlements from the Indians beyond, in Nebraska and the surrounding
regions of country. They remained at Ft. Kearny until the fall of
1848, and, in the meantime, peace having been declared between the
United States and Mexico, they returned to Ft. Leavenworth, leaving
Ft. Kearny in charge of a detachment of regulars, and were there¬
upon honorably mustered out of the service. The battalion took
part in no engagement during the service, being principally employed
in garrison duty and for the protection of the Western frontiers against
the Indians. Several men, however, died of sickness contracted in
the army, including O’Brian, Kenna, and one or two others.

Capt. McCausland had been sheriff of the county prior to organiz¬
ing his company, and was a man of much personal popularity. He
was an old citizen of the county and a man of high standing. In the
service he was greatly beloved by his men, who were glad to follow
wherever he chose to lead. If he had been called to the scene of war
he would doubtless have made an enviable record for his company in
the history of that struggle. As it was, he and they did their duty
faithfully and without fear of danger or hardships, and are not less
entitled to gratitude for the manner in which they acquitted them¬
selves than if they had fought the battles of their country beyond the
Rio Grande.

Col. Powell was one of the loading men of the county at that day.
He was a physician by profession and a man of culture and large
property. He was a man of large physique, of sandy complexion,
steel blue eyes, and always clean shaven, and was a man of line pres¬
ence and personal appearance. He had been county and circuit clerk
and recorder of deeds (all three) for a number of years, and was after¬
wards a judge of the county court. His address was always pleasant
and he made a favorable impression on all whom he met. No man
in the county stood higher than he in general esteem. The fact of
his election for the colonelcy of his battalion when he was a total
stranger to all except those of his own company, and by such men as
Gen. Craig, Gov. Stewart and others, shows that he was a man of

176

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

mark among men of prominence and ability. His name justly holds
a place in the history of the county among the names of its most hon¬
orable and useful citizens.

There are several old Mexican veterans living in this county, who,
however, enlisted from other counties or States. The names of the
following are now recalled : Atho Kissinger, who enlisted from Yir-
ginia; Conrad Gruenkorn, who enlisted from St. Charles; John A.
Schwatke, who enlisted from St. Louis, and Capt. H. Evers, who also
enlisted from that city.

Few people in Missouri or elsewhere appreciated the nature of the
conflict between the two sections or its scope and magnitude until
after the clash of arms had resounded throughout the Union. Who
was right or who wrong is not here to be discussed. Good men on
either side honestly believed they were right and devotedly offered
up their lives upon the altar of their convictions. The faith that men
die for, whatever it may be, is not to be derided and lightly put
aside.

Unquestionably the Civil War grew out of the agitation of slavery.
But for that no conflict would have occurred, and half a million of as
brave men as ever kept step to martial music, who now sleep beneath
the sod victims to that unhappy strife, would have been spared to
their country and homes, millions and hundreds of millions of treasure
wasted, or worse than wasted — devoted to the destruction of life and
property would have been saved ; a vast debt upon the country, piled
up a century deep would not have been incurred ; and the time and
energy of more than two millions and a half of soldiers would have
been usefully employed in the pursuits of peace. For every slave
emancipated ten times his or her value in actual expenditures were
required by the war, to say nothing of other losses ; and the life of a
soldier was taken for every eight slaves liberated. But freedom and
human rights are, of course, not to be estimated by the measure of
blood and treasure required to secure and maintain them. Still, how
much better it would have been if reason had prevailed instead of pas¬
sion, and emancipation had been brought about by peaceful means.

In the days of the Colonies and in the early years of the Republic
negro slavery was an institution generally recognized, and the pres¬
ent constitution was formed with that as one of the property inter¬
ests of the country. Gradually slavery, more from physical causes
than from anything else, became confined to the Southern and South¬
western States, and naturally when the agitation arose for its aboli-
tion they bitterly opposed the threatened revolution in their labor

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

177

system, and exerted themselves to their utmost for the protection of
their slave property. They held that the Union was instituted for
the protection of the rights and property of the people of all the States
forming it, and that when those of one section sought to destroy the
property interests of another section, they were working to defeat
one of the principal objects for which the government was established ;
that the North had no more right to interfere with slavery in the South
than the South had to prohibit manufactures in New England, or the
working of white employes at starving rates of wages ; that all knew
that slavery was one of the recognized institutions of most of the
States when the Union was formed, and that if any had conscien¬
tious scruples against it, they ought not to have entered into asso¬
ciation with slave States, much less afterwards have attempted to
abolish it in other States.

The North, however, disclaimed any intention to interfere with
slavery in the States where it was already established, but asserted
that it ought to be prohibited in the territories and not allowed in
any of the new States to be formed. Still, there was no mistaking
the tendency of the anti-slave movement — that ’it would ultimately
result in the abolition of slavery throughout the Union. This the
Southern people saw and very well understood, and now that it is an
accomplished fact, it is one of the proudest boasts of the party which
brought it about.

The election of Mr. Lincoln in 1860 was brought about by the
anti-slavery agitation and through a division of the Democratic party.
Elected, as he was, by the extreme men of the North on this ques¬
tion, the South felt satisfied that he would be controlled by anti¬
slavery influences, and that the further continuance of the Southern
States in the Union would be at the peril of their slave property.
They therefore took steps immediately to secede from the Union by
the same methods and authority by which they had acceded to its
terms and entered it ; and ordinances of secession were passed by
most of the slave States. Efforts for a compromise were made but
without any substantial results ; and in a short time a provisional
Confederate government was established, including and representing
most of the slave States.

However, after the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, it was decided by
his administration not to recognize the acts of secession of the slaye
States and to continue the enforcement of the Federal revenue and
other national laws in the territory of those States. This, of course,
could not but bring about a conflict, and both sides began to prepare

178

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

for the struggle. The authorities at Washington took steps to re-en¬
force the different Federal forts in the Southern States. Speaking
of this in his first annual message, President Lincoln said : “It was
believed, howsoever, that to abandon that position to hold the forts
in the South, under the circumstances, would be utterly ruinous ; that
the necessity under which it (their temporary evacuation) was to be
done would not be fully understood ; that by many it would be con¬
strued as a voluntary policy ; that at home it would discourage the
friends of the Union and embolden its adversaries, and go far to in¬
sure to the latter a recognition abroad, that in fact it would be our
national destruction consummated. This could not be allowed. Star¬
vation was not yet upon the garrison (Ft. Sumpter) and ere it would
be reached Ft. Pickens might be re-enforced. This last would be a
clear indication of policy that the Union was to be preserved at all
hazards, and would better enable the country to accept the temporary
evacuation of Ft. Sumpter as a military necessity. An order was at
once directed (early in April, 1861) to be sent for the landing of the
troops from the steamship Brooklyn into Ft. Pickens.” The Gover¬
nor of South Carolina was informed by a special messenger from Mr.
Lincoln of what had been done.

There was no mistaking what this meant. It meant war, for South
Carolina had seceded months before, and claimed to be independent
of the Federal government. Hence, that State construed the sending

<_5 7 O

of re-enforcements into her territory by the authorities at Washington
as an belligerent act, an overt, open act of war, and accordingly, hav¬
ing nothing now to do but to fight or back down, she at once opened
fire on Ft. Sumpter. Thus the great Civil War was inaugurated.

Missouri, being a slave State, was of course largely identified in
interest and sympathy with her sister States of the South. Many of
her people, however, undoubtedly a majority of them, were opposed
to secession, except as a last resort. They were even more unani¬
mously opposed to coercion. The sentiment of the State may be
judged, approximately, from the following figures: In 1860 Mr.
Lincoln received 17,028 votes ; Stephen A. Douglas, 58,801 ; John C.
Breckinridge, 31,317 ; and John Bell (largely the Whig vote of the
State), 58,372. In the Senate of the State Legislature, a resolution
introduced by Mr. John Hyer, of Dent, directing the Senators in
Congress from this State, and requesting her Representatives to
oppose the passage of all bills and acts granting supplies of men or
money to coerce the seceded States, and if such acts should be passed,
calling on her Senators and Representatives to resign, was passed by an

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

179

almost unanimous vote — 16 to 2. In the House, a resolution de¬
nouncing the act of Capt. Lyon, in moving upon and capturing the
State militia at Camp Jackson, as an outrage upon the sovereigntv of
the State and to be resisted by armed force, was adopted unanimously.
In the State Convention, authorized by an act of the Legislature
passed on the recommendation of Gov. Jackson, which met for the
purpose of considering the relations of this State to the Federal
Union and adopting such measures as the exigencies of the times
demanded, Gen. Sterling Price, shortly afterwards major-general of
the Confederate service, was elected President.

But it is unquestionably true, as has been stated, that until the war
had actually begun the majority of the people of the State were in
favor of Missouri taking a neutral position between the seceded States
and the administration at Washington. Yet they were in favor of
this only in the hope that a compromise might be brought about, at
least this was the position of most of the advocates of neutrality.
But when all hope of compromise had failed, a very large majority of
the people favored the Southern cause, and either openly identified
themselves with it or gave it their warmest sympathy. This is further
proved by the statistics of the armies of the two sections. Though
occupied almost continuously by the Federal forces, this State fur¬
nished to the Southern army volunteers, even in the face of the

great difficulties and dangers they had to encounter to reach the forces
of the South, and notwithstanding the many inducements that were
held out to enter the Union service. On the other hand 109,111
entered the Federal army. These are the truths of history and must
be given, however they may be looked upon from the one side or the
other.

The first volunteers from St. Charles county were for the Southern
service. The Legislature of the State, in extra session, having passed
a series of acts early in 1861, authorizing the enlistment and arming
of the State militia, volunteers were accordingly called for, and what
was known as the “Missouri State Guard” was organized. Steps
were at once taken to enlist a company in this county, under Gov.
Jackson’s first call. A company, in fact, was recruited, composed of
some of the best men of the county. Richard Overall was made
captain and David Shultz, first-lieutenant. The second-lieutenant was
Chap. Luckett, and the company numbered about fifty men. It was
sworn in by Col. Benjamin Emmons, present circuit clerk of the
county, and one or two drill exercises were had at the court-house.
The company was organized for artillery service, and parties were sent

180

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

to Jefferson City to obtain cannon from the State armory, under
Gov. Jackson. Before their arrival, however, all the ordnance of
the State had been distributed, so that none could be had for the St.
Charles company. This proved a serious disappointment, and placed
matters at a standstill, so far as this company was concerned, until
after the surrender of Camp Jackson, when the Federal forces soon
took possession of St. Charles and rendered further organization of
Southern volunteers at this place impossible.

The prompt action of Gen. Lyon at St. Louis in the capture of
Camp Jackson placed that city in the hands of the Federal authori¬
ties, and on account of the proximity of St. Charles county to St.
Louis, it, too, shortly fell under the control of the Union forces.
Another circumstance contributed very materially to this. The pop¬
ulation of St. Charles county was about equally divided between
the Americans and those of German birth or descent. The Germans
were always unalterably opposed to slavery, though up to the
time of the Lincoln campaign they had voted and acted with the
Democratic party, more on the account of the attitude of that party
on the Know Nothing or Native American question than for any
other reason. But when that was settled by the defeat of the Know
Nothing party and the question of slavery became the uppermost
issue in politics, they took a positive stand against slavery. Demo¬
crats have always thought a little hard of this, inasmuch as it was
they who saved the Germans from outlawry and stood up for the
protection of all their rights, including their full and equal citizenship ;
and that the Germans should then turn on them in the South and
assist to take their slave property from them without compensation —
moreover even put their slaves to rule over them in many of the States,
seemed a little ungrateful. But the Germans were friends of liberty
and equal rights, regardless of party interests or affiliations. Having
secured their own rights they were for securing the rights of all
other men, regardless of race or color, and were therefore friends of
negro emancipation and enfranchisement.

The Germans of the county were not less, active in organizing for
the Union than the Americans were for the South. Judge Arnold
Krekel, now of the United States District Court, was their leader in
preparing them for holding St. Charles county to the Union cause.
About the time Col. Emmons was swearing in the Southern company
of artillery, or shortly afterwards, a company of Home Guards for
the Union service was formed, composed almost exclusively of Ger¬
mans. This was organized soon after the fall of Camp Jackson, and

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

181

those principally instrumental in organizing it were Gustave Bruere,
then editor of the St. Charles Democrat , John Bruere, Judge Gatz-
weiler, E. F. Gut, Henry Machens, G. Hoover, and one or two other
prominent Germans of St. Charles, including Judge Krekel. Mr.
Hoover was elected captain of the company. A week later another
company was organized in the county and afterwards still other
companies until a regiment of 12 companies was formed, aggrega¬
ting over 1,300 men. Judge Arnold Krekel was elected colonel of
the regiment ; F. W. Gatzweiler, major, and Edward F. Gut, quar¬
termaster.

The regiment went into camp near Cottleville, at what was named
Camp Krekel, where they remained for some time engaged in drill¬
ing, and doing home guard duty. It was known as the St. Charles
County Regiment of Home Guards, and was armed from the govern¬
ment arsenal at St. Louis by order of Gen. Lyon. It was not regu¬
larly accepted into service, however, until July, 1861. At that time
the following were the three principal officers of the respective
companies: Co. A — Captain, Jacob New; tirst-lieutenant, Henry
Damann ; second-lieutenant, Richard Yogt. Co. B — Captain,
Stephen Jeude ; first-lieutenant, Adam Schweizer ; second-lieutenant,
Frederick Lotte. Co. D — Captain, John Fuchs; first-lieutenant,
John Holtman ; second-lieutenant, Herman Weinshagen. Co. E —

Captain, Henry Schemmer; first-lieutenant, Jobst Paso; second-lieu-

_ *

tenant, Herman Schemmer. Co. F — Captain, Henry Stratman ; first-
lieutenant, Charles Schlootman ; second-lieutenant, Casper Deiman.
Co. G — Captain, Charles Lumber; first-lieutenant, Lisfer Nicklaus ;
second-lieutenant, Roth Nicklaus. Co. H- — Captain, Moritz Neus-
taetter ; first-lieutenant, Franz Ruster; second-lieutenant, Joseph
Boecker. Co. I — Captain, Robert Bailey, Jr. ; first-lieutenant,
Mathew Zimmermann ; second-lieutenant, John E. Dirkee. Co. K —
Captain, Henry Windmuller; first-lieutenant, Herman Wilke ; second-
lieutenant, Jobst Broecker. Co. M — Captain, John D. Holrah ; first-
lieutenant, Frederick Wolf; second-lieutenant, J. C. Kuhlhotf. Co.
N — Captain, Gustave Heven ; first-lieutenant, Gottfried Muke; sec¬
ond-lieutenant, Henry Denker. Co. O — Captain, Franz Martin;
first-lieutenant, Herman Kuhlman ; second-lieutenant, Franz Kafer-
kamp.

This regiment did valuable service for the Union cause in the early
part of the war by holding St. Charles county and not only prevent¬
ing the enlistment of Southern volunteers here, but keeping down
Southern organizations and enlistments further north. “Krekel’s

182

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Dutch,” as they were called, stood a dreaded menace to the active
Southern element in all this part of the country, and gave loyal men
the assurance of protection and encouragement.

From this regiment of Home Guards, after the necessity for their
active service in the county had passed, other organizations were
formed, though many of the older men, and others not eligible for
regular military duty, continued for some time afterwards to perform
Home Guard service, and were very valuable in this line of duty.
The volunteers in the St. Charles County United States Reserve Corps
were principally from the old Home Guard regiment. There were six
companies of volunteers in this county for the Reserve Corps. They
were organized in August, 1861, and continued to serve until January,
1862. Capt. G. Hoover was captain of Co. A, Capt. Gatzweiler of
Co. B, and Capt. Schmalzinger of Co. C. The names of the captains
of the other three companies are not now recalled. Their duty was
mainly local, consisting of guarding the railroad bridges, preventing
raids into the country, and so forth. They were succeeded by four
companies of Missouri State militia, which were organized early in
1862, the time of the Reserve Corps companies having expired.
Many of the volunteers in the latter had served in the companies of
the Reserve Corps, which had been organized under the authority of
the general government for home service, and were paid by the
government.

The four companies of the Missouri State militia were formed into
the First battalion, M. S. M., and served as members of that battal¬
ion until December, 1862, or for about a year. Altogether they
numbered about 400 men, and were commanded by Lieut. -Col. Arnold
Krekel. Ferdinand Hess was adjutant of the battalion, and Dr. John
Bruere, surgeon. The four companies were commanded, respectively,
as follows: Co. A — Captain, Henry Windmuller ; first-lieutenant,
Theodore Hegeman ; second-lieutenant, Charles Growe. Co. B —
Captain, Adolph Hufschmidt ; first-lieutenant, George Struben ;
second-lieutenant, Charles Bruere. Co. C — Captain, George Muller ;
first-lieutenant, Fred. Graberherst; second-lieutenant, Frederick
August. Co. D — Captain, Frederick Heign ; first-lieutenant, Joseph
Linkogel ; second-lieutenant, August Hildeberndt. Three of the above
companies were cavalry and one infantry, the latter being Co. B,
under Capt. Hufschmidt. In November, 1862, the cavalry companies
were honorably discharged from the service at Fulton, Missouri. But
the infantry company was ordered to St. Louis, and there attached to
the First Missouri State militia infantry, in which it served for three

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

183

years. The latter regiment was principally engaged in guard service
at the St. Lonis and on the Iron Mountain Railroad. Before the First
battalion was dissolved, however, they participated in one or two fights
in this section of the state — one at Box Springs, which was sharp and
hotly contested. The enemy was driven out of the country tributary
to Mexico, which he had been infesting for some time previous.

About the time of the organization of the First battalion, a num¬
ber of companies were formed in this county under the Enrolled Mil¬
itia Law, and afterwards did home duty during the remainder of the
war. Nearly all of the members of the old Home Guards who had
not entered some other branch of the service, became members of one
or another of the companies of the Enrolled militia, and many other
citizens of the county also entered the new organization. They con¬
tinued in the county during the entire war, except on one or two oc¬
casions when they were called into other parts of North Missouri to
resist the raids of the enemy. In 1863 they were for a time under
Gen. Merrill, up in North Missouri, to oppose a Southern raid in that
section of the State.

Besides the companies and organizations above referred to, two
companies of volunteers from the county were furnished to Col. Dyer’s
regiment, and accompanied that regiment South. There were also a
number of volunteers from this county in other regiments, organized
elsewhere, and in the regular army ; and a number went to St. Louis
to join Gen. Lyon at the very outbreak of the war, before even the
first company was formed here. St. Charles county perhaps furnished
not less than 2,000 volunteers for the Union service, including Home
Guards, Eurolled militia, and so forth.

The county was never under the control of the Southern authorities

after the affair at Camp Jackson, nor were any Southern troops

afterwards ever in the county, except a few scouts who generally went

out considerably faster than they came in. Southern enlistments

were therefore very difficult here, if not impossible, and the result was

that but few Southern men, even of those who desired to, succeeded

in joining the Southern army. However, in 1861, Dr. Johnson, now

of Johnson & Bruere, physicians at St. Charles, organized a company

of young men in the upper part of the county near Pauldingsville for

the Southern service. This company was organized in December,

1861, and was composed of about 100 young men, mainly from the

best families in the countv.

«/

Captain Johnson at once started to join Price’s army with his com¬
pany, and went as far as Mount Zion, in Boone county, where he fell

* 7

164

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

in with Col. Dorsey, also of the Southern service; or, rather, he had
met Dorsey a short time before. He was with Dorsey at the fight at
Mount Zion, where they were defeated, and Capt. Johnson and several
of his men were captured. The loss on the Southern side was 4 men
killed, 20 wounded and 25 prisoners. Young McDonald of this
county was among those mortally wrounded. William McClenney was
also wounded, being shot through the stomach, but nevertheless re¬
covered. Capt. Johnson was paroled and came home. Afterwards
he served in the Southern army east of the Mississippi. Among those
in his company at Mount Zion, the names of only the following are
now remembered : —

C. M. Johnson, captain ; B. F. Moore, first-lieutenant; John Ball,
second-lieutenant; Swan, drill sergeant ; J. B. Hays, county ; Charles
Ivrugar, county ; James Allen, Dallas, Texas ; John Silvey, Man¬
chester, Mo. ; Isaac N. Howell, county ; H. A. Callaway, Tombstone,
Arizona; William B. Callaway, Louisiana; William McClenney,
county ; John McClenney, Wright county, Mo. ; Henry Elliot, James
Elliot, Dallas, Texas ; William Phillips ; Mathew Fitts, Louisiana,
Mo. ; William B. Edwards, David L. Edwards, county ; John Sanders;
Richard Krugar, High Hill, Mo.; Eli McConnell ; Robert Bowman,
Oliver Steele, Can. Jacobs, John Cunningham, Coley Kent, William
E. Coleman ; Thomas Breckenbridge, transferred Sidnor’s company ;
William Ferrel, Robert Ferrel, Albin McDonald, William Dugan,
Dennis Muschaney, Samuel Muschaney, county ; John M. Gaty,
Pettis county, Mo. ; Gustave Smith, Charles Yauberkelow, Henry
Painter, county ; John Bowles (deserter), Henry King, Daniel Prime,

William Duff, - Sherman, L. A. Johnson, Yisalia, Cal. ; Thomas

Johnson, Charles Cunningham, county; Adam Garland, Joseph Gar¬
land, Waco, Texas; John Sargent, Ben Maples, Thomas Carroll,
George Logan, Findley Logan, Palestine, Texas ; William Spiers,
Warren county; James Devine, Andrew McConnell, William Silvey,
Andrew J. Silvey, Dr. C. M. Pringle, regiment surgeon, Doc. Turpin,
county ; Douglass Luckett, Walter Sheets, Thomas Creach, Benjamin
Herrington, A. J. Coshow, Lud. Watts, Tyler Painter, William Hill,
county ; Doc. Givens, Tobias Givens, George Painter, Daniel Dyer,
Samuel Sherman, Gyp Dyer, Daniel Sherman, Wesley Dyer, Martin
Carter, Ben Carter, Taylor Travis, Robert Travis, John Clowers, Capt.
Clowers, Hugh Stultz, David Stultz, Joseph Sherman, Warner Bris¬
coe and John Rector. The company consisted of 112 men, only
the names of 87 appearing above.

After Dr. Johnson’s effort to organize Southern troops in this

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

185

-county, there was no further attempt made here in that direction
during the remainder of the war. A large number of volunteers,
however, left the county from time to time, singly or in squads of two,
three, or more, and joined different commands, some east of the Mis¬
sissippi and some in the Trans-Mississippi department. Some who
proved to be as gallant soldiers as served under the three-barred banner
of the South, enlisted from St. Charles county. It would be invidious
to mention any without naming all, for none proved themselves un¬
worthy the profession of arms or the county that gave them birth.

But the war is over and has been closed for nearly 20 years. The
issues involved in that unhappy strife are settled beyond all further
question. Brave men and true fought on either side, men loyal and
patriotic to what they believed to be their duty to their country.
Those who survived the struggle returned to their homes after it was

over, and almost without exception have made good and useful citi¬
zens. The past is forgiven if not forgotten, and all are re-united in
bonds of fraternal union not less enduring than the Union of States,
and with patriotic hearts striving for a future for the Republic more
happy than the past has been and far more splendid of achievements.

To close the account of the Civil War closes the account of the war
record of the county ; and it is to be hoped that he who comes to
write its events of the future, will have no occasion to speak of any
further war experiences. Citizens of this county had no part in the
Mormon War so far as we have been able to learn, nor in the Kansas
Troubles, just preceding the Civil War.

CHAPTER YI.

POLITICAL RECORD.

First Legislators from St. Charles County — Whom They were and Their Prominence
and Influence — Maj. Benjamin Emmons, Col. James Flaugherty, Col. John Pitman
and Judge Robert Spencer — St. Charles County the Home of the First Missouri
Congressman or Territorial Delegate in Congress, Hon. Edward Hempstead — Only
Five Counties Then in the Territory — The Continued Prominence of this County
in the Legislature — Her Members Secure the Location of the Seat of Government
at St. Charles after the Adoption of the State Constitution — Sketch of the Legis¬
lature and State Officers at that Time — National Politics Little Discussed Prior to
the Formation of the State Government — Judge Rufus Easton, of St. Charles,
Succeeds Hon. Edward Hempstead in Congress and Serves two Terms — Eon.
John Scott Then Elected upon the Pledge that He would Secure the Admission of
Missouri into the Union — His Zeal and Success — Rise of the Missouri Question,
or the Opposition to the Extension of Slavery — The “Missouri Compromise,” and
the Admission of the State into the Union — Attitude of the People of St. Charles
County on the Slavery Question — The Grand Jury Make a Formal Presentment
Against the Congress of the United States — Copy of the Presentment — Constitu¬
tional Convention of 1820 — Members From St. Charles County — Political Issues
Between the Democrats and Whigs after the Temporary Settlement of the Slavery
Question — The County Largely Democratic — Democratic Sentiment of German
Immigrants — Early Public Men of the County After the Organization of the State
Government — Public Men of a Later Period, and Until the Outbreak of the Civil
War — Col. Ludwell E. Powell, Hon. John D. Coalter, Maj. Wilson L. Overall and
Hon. William M. Allen, Whigs — Judge Carty Wells, Hon. James R. McDearmon,
Dr. William G. McElhiney, Joseph Wells, Col. Pines Shelton and Judge Arnold
Krekel, Democrats — Suspension of Politics During the Civil War — Abandonment
of the Democratic Party by the Germans — Growth of the Republican Party —
Former Whigs Generally Become Democrats — Political Attitude of the County
Since the War — Leading Democrats — Leading Republicans — Register of Public
Officers Since the Formation of the State Government — Bonded Indebtedness.

From the earliest times in the political history of the State, St.
Charles county has wielded a marked and enviable influence in public
affairs by the ability, prominence and high character of her represent¬
ative citizens. In the first Legislature of the Territory were four
members from this county — two in the Council and two in the
House — men who would have been recognized as leaders anywhere.
Benjamin Emmons and James Flaugherty represented the county in
Council, and John Pitman and Robert Spencer in the House. That
was a time when men were required whose judgment and sagacity
could be relied upon implicity to lay the foundations of a new govern-
(186)

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

187

ment wisely and with an eye to the future development of the coun¬
try, its growth and prosperity and its varied interests.

Benjamin Emmons, the senior member of the first Council, was a
native of New England, and came to St. Charles countv with his
family a number of years prior to the organization of the Territorial
government. He was a man of education and wide and varied infor-

mation, and gifted with many of the stronger and better qualities for
a popular leader. He was a man of unimpeachable integrity, great
public spirit, and, withal, of a genial disposition and pleasing man-

ners. In the Council he was looked upon as one of the able and
influential men of that body, for he was not only a man well read in,
and a close observer of, public affairs, but of original ideas and sound
views on the science of government. He was a clear, forcible and
logical speaker, and the influence of his high character contributed
much to make him a successful legislator. He served in the War of
1812 as an adjutant, and was a member of the first State constitu¬
tional convention from this county. Afterwards he served with dis¬
tinguished ability in both branches of the State Legislature. He
was the father of Col. Benjamin Emmons, present circuit clerk of
this countv.

«/ v

Col. James Flaugherty, Maj. Emmons’ colleague in the Council,
was a native of Virginia, and of Irish descent. Though a man by
no means of the mental culture of Maj. Emmons, he was a natural
orator, and fairly electrified the Council and the people by his elo¬
quence. He was a man, however, of great modesty and a most
retiring disposition, seemingly unconscious of his genius, and unfor¬
tunately too much devoid of self-confidence or assurance to make him
a leader. He had no desire for political preferment, and, indeed,
uniformly avoided it when possible to do so. His prominence in that
early day was solely a tribute to his ability and purity of character.
His name is now almost forgotten, but the fame of his magic elo-

o 7 o

quence has been handed down by his contemporaries who heard
him, in wrapped admiration, nearly a century ago. If he had been
ambitious, his name would unquestionably stand to-day among those
of the first orators of the country.

John Pitman, who represented the county in the House, was not a
public speaker or politician. He was one of those sturdy, clear¬
headed, thorough-going men who invariably make energetic, industri¬
ous and safe legislators when called to the work of legislation. He
was careful, painstaking and judicious in investigating every proposed

188

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

measure, and his good judgment was greatly relied upon by hi&
colleagues. His vote for a bill always had a strong influence upon
others for its support. In 1821 he was commissioned colonel of
the Fifteenth Missouri State militia. Subsequently he removed to
Montgomery county, where he served as county judge for a number
of years. Col. Pitman was a lineal descendant of one of the Penn
Colony of his name, who subsequently removed from Pennsylvania to
Campbell county, Virginia. The Pitman family are now very numer¬
ous in Missouri, Virginia and Kentucky.

Judge Robert Spencer completed this quartette of St. Charles
county’s members in the first Legislature. He was a lawyer by pro¬
fession and one of the pioneers of the county. He was the first judge
of the Common Pleas Court for the district of St. Charles, having
received his appointment in 1804. He was a man of ability and of
considerable property, and built the first brick house in this county
below St. Charles. He was chairman of the committee on legislation
in the House, and many of its wisest and best laws were originated
by him. He was a man of a genial, hospitable disposition, a fine
mind, but not a hard student; and what he accomplished was effected
more by the natural strength of his talents than by any efforts on his
part. However, as a legislator he was earnestly solicitous for the
enactment of wise and just laws, and was very active in his work
while in the House. He was a man whom every one liked that knew
him, and the hospitality of his home was unbounded.

Such were the four first legislators from this county, a quartette
known in the Legislature as the “ Irresistible Four,” from the fact that
their influence in shaping legislation was considered hardly less than
irresistible.

But St. Charles county also secured the first representative in
Congress for one of her citizens, the Hon. Edward Hempstead. He
was one of the distinguished lawyers of Missouri in that day, and a
man whose career forms an honorable page in the history of the State.
He will be spoken of further along, however, in a chapter devoted to
the “ Bench and Bar.” Hon. Rufus Easton was another distinguished
citizen of this county, a noted lawyer and jurist. He was a candi¬
date against Judge Hempstead for Congress, and afterwards was twice
elected .

At that time there were but five counties in the territory — St.
Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid.
These, however, included an almost limitless territory west of the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

189

Mississippi. But at the second session of the Legislature the county
of Arkansas was formed, which then contained a population of 827
inhabitants.

By each succeeding Legislature new counties were formed from the
territory of former ones as the country continued to settle up. But
during all this time St. Charles county maintained a commanding po¬
sition in public affairs. The personnel , however, of each of her
members of the Legislature and her'other public men can not, of course,
be discussed in a work like the present one, for want of space. But suf¬
fice it to say that they were almost invariably men of such character
and ability that they never failed to reflect full credit on their county
and on the public affairs of the Territory. Such, indeed, continued to
be the prominence and influence of the county in legislation that, after
the formation of the State constitution and the admission of Missouri
into the Union, the citv of St. Charles was made the seat of govern-
ment: and here the Legislature held its sessions, and the great officers
of State performed their varied official duties. Speaking of the State
government of St. Charles, a former writer gives the following sketch
of the condition and events of the times : —

“ The constitution had made liberal provisions for remunerating
the Governor and Supreme Circuit Judges, but one of the first acts
of the Legislature was to reduce the salaries of these officers to a very
low figure, in conformity with the stringency of the times. The Gov¬
ernor was allowed $1,500, the Supreme Judge, $1,100, and the Cir¬
cuit Judges, $1,000. It was expected by many that this reduction of
salaries would prevent men of ability from seeking those positions,
but at the next election there was as great a scramble for office as there
had been at the preceding one, under the large salaries fixed by the
constitution. Those salaries seem small and mean to us now, and
would hardly be sufficient to support the family of an ordinary me¬
chanic ; but they were sufficient for those primitive times, when a
family could live in considerable style on five or six hundred dollars a
year. They had 6 hard money ’ and 4 hard times ’ then ; and if
the hard money advocates of our own day succeed in driving the
country into the adoption of their suicidal policy, we may have to go
back again to the condition of our ancestors. 4 Hard money,’ low
prices, and 4 hard times ’ are inseparable.

44 Most the members of the first Legislature, as well as the Gov¬
ernor and other high dignitaries, rode to St. Charles on horseback,
and their horses were kept during the session by Mr. Archibald Wat¬
son, a farmer, who lived a few miles below St. Charles, on 4 the

190

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

point.’ The members boarded at private houses, and at the few
hotels that were in the town at the time, at the rate of $2.50 per
week. The remuneration proved to be insufficient, and those who
kept boarding-houses generally lost money. Uriah J. Devore, who
boarded a number of the members, lost everything he had. Pork
was worth 1 V2 cents per pound ; venison hams, 25 cents each ; eggs, 5
cents per dozen ; honey, 5 cents a gallon ; and coffee, $1 per pound.
Sugar was not in the market, and those who drank coffee sweetened
it with honey. Some of the members were rough characters, and
they all dressed in primitive style, either in homespun and home-made
clothes, or in buckskin leggins and hunting skirts. Some wore rough
shoes of their own manufacture, while others encased their feet in
buckskin moccasins. Some had slouched hats, but the greater por¬
tion wore caps made of the skins of wild cats or raccoons. Governor
McNair was the only man who had a fine cloth coat, and that was
cut in the old “ pigeon-tail ” style. He also wore a beaver hat, and
endeavored to carry himself with the dignity becoming a man in his
position.

“The seat of government was removed to this place by an act
of the first Legislature and continued here until the increase of popu¬
lation further west necessitated its removal to the interior, Jefferson
City being selected as the site, where the capital was located in the
fall of 1826.”*

Prior to the admission of Missouri as a State, questions of national
politics were little discussed in the county or in the territory, candi¬
dates being chosen for office more through their personal popularity
and fitness for official duties than from any other considerations.
The principal question that engaged public attention then was to
secure a State government for and the admission of Missouri into the
Union. At the time of Judge Hempstead’s service in Congress the
population of the Territory was hardly sufficient to justify a hope for
its admission as a State. Col. Hempstead having declined re-election,
Judge Rufus Easton was elected to succeed him. Judge Easton was
an ardent Democrat (or Republican as Democrats were then called),
and a warm supporter of Madison’s administration, as he afterwards
was of Monroe’s. He was elected for two terms and was succeeded
by Hon. John Scott, of Ste. Genevieve.

Mr. Scott made his canvass on the ground, principally, that Judge
Hempstead had not shown the energy and ability to have been

* Pioneer Families of Missouri.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

191

justly expected of him in obtaining authority from Congress for the
organization of a State government and the admission of Missouri in¬
to the Union. Two years before, his race against Judge Easton was
very close; and, indeed, he obtained a certificate of election, but
Judge Easton was given the seat by Congress. Mr. Scott worked
with great zeal for the passage of an enabling act for the organization
of a State government in Missouri, but was not successful during his
first term. Re-elected for a second term, a bill was again introduced
which he supported with great ability, and which finally passed
both Houses of Congress and became law. It was on the passage of
this bill that the slaverv issue first assumed commanding and threat-
ening importance. For nearly a year it was discussed in the House
and Senate with extreme bitterness, the effort having first been made
by those who opposed slavery to prevent the State from adopting a
pro-slavery constitution, and finally to prevent slavery extension fur¬
ther north and west. At last, what was known as the “ Missouri
Compromise” was agreed upon and the bill became a law.

The people of Missouri unquestionably favored the maintenance of
slavery at that time, for it had been recognized as one of the institu¬
tions of the country from the earliest times of the Spanish colonists.
St. Charles county, in common with her sister counties, was ardently
and almost beligerently pro-slavery in sentiment. Indeed, to such a
point did this feeling go that the grand jury of the county felt called
upon to take cognizance of the machinations of those who sought to
make Missouri a free State, and a bill of indictment (for a criminal
prosecution to be based upon (!) we suppose) was formally and
solemnly drawn up and presented against Congress. The following
is a copy of the bill : —

A QUAINT DOCUMENT.

We the undersigned grand jurors, from the body of the county of
St. Charles, Missouri Territory, and summoned to attend the sitting
of the Circuit Court for the county aforesaid, beg leave to present to
the Honorable Court, that we deem it our privilege and duty to take
notice of all the grievances of a public nature ; that amongst the
various duties assigned us, we do present that the Congress of the
United States, at the last session, in attempting to restrict the people
of Missouri, in the exercise and enjoyment of their rights as American
freemen, in the formation of their State constitution, assumed an un¬
constitutional power, having the direct tendency to usurp the privi¬
leges of our State sovereignties ; privileges guaranteed by the declara¬
tions of American rights, the constitution of the United States,
the treaty of cession and the blood of our fathers who achieved our in-

192

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

dependence. That it is a restriction heretofore without precedent or
parallel, as it regards the admission of Territories into the Union of
the States, and if persisted in by those members of Congress who at
the last session proved themselves opposed to the growth and pros¬
perity of our happy land and luxuriant country, will be, in our opin¬
ion, a direct attack and infringement on the sacred rights of State
sovereignty and independence, and the tocsin of alarm to all friends of
Union under our republican form of government. Although we much
deplore any existing political differences of opinion with the majority
in the House of Representatives of the last Congress, who introduced
and supported the restriction, yet, we consider it our bounden duty as
freemen, and as Republican members of the great American family, to
take a dignified stand against any assumption or usurpation of our
rights from whatever quarter it may come, and to support the con¬
stitution of the United States as the anchor of our political hope.
Thomas Dozer, Wm. S. Burch, Wm. Keithley, Randal Biggs, James
Baldridge, Francis Howell, James Smith, Antoine Raynal, Warren
Cottle, James Clay, Samuel Wells, foreman, N. Howell, T. D. Stephen¬
son, David Lamaster, Edward Hinds, Joseph Sumner, Antoine Der-
rocher, Armstrong Kenned}7, Chas. Parmer, Joseph D. Beauchamp.

What effect this presentment had upon the Congress, we are not
able to say with certainty ; but if we are to judge by results, we must
confess that it hastened the settlement of the question in favor of
slavery in the new State, for the presentment was made July 6, 1819,
and the following winter the bill was passed by both Houses of Con¬
gress — which was as soon, in those days of horse-back and river
travel, as the full import and meaning of the awful, ominous document
could be received and comprehended by the National Legislature. No
one, however, could tell what the result would have been if Congress
had disregarded the action of the grand jury, or treated it lightly.

The constitutional convention of the Territory or State, authorized
by the enabling act of Congress, met at St. Louis, in the summer of
1820, with forty-one delegates, and by it a constitution was framed,
which was afterwards adopted by the people, and the State was ad¬
mitted into the Union. There were then fourteen counties in the
State, and St. Charles county had three delegates, Maj. Benjamin
Emmons, Col. Nathan Boone and Hiram H. Baber.

Of Maj. Emmons we have already spoken. Col. Boone was a son
of the old pioneer Daniel Boone, referred to in a sketch of the latter,
on a former page. He was a man well educated, though self-educated,
and was an accomplished surveyor. He died in this county November
16, 1856, in his seventy-sixth year. Mr. Baber was an early settler
of the county, and one of its leading and influential citizens. He was

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

lip

sheriff of the county for some years, back in the “twenties,” and was
a man of great popularity.

After the admission of the State into the Union and the slavery
question was settled for a time by the Missouri Compromise, questions
of national politics, such as the tariff, internal improvements by the
general government, and the United States Bank act began to elicit
attention, and the people divided themselves into two parties — Dem¬
ocrats and Whigs. Political parties, however, did not assume definite
form until the Presidential and State elections of 1828, when Jackson
and Adams were the candidates for the Presidency. The Democrats
polled 8,272 votes for Jackson, and the Whigs 3,400 for Adams. St.
Charles county supported the Jackson electoral ticket by a large ma¬
jority. The State afterwards continued to be Democratic, and St.
Charles county as a rule remained in political accord with the State.
German immigration to the county contributed very materially to the
power of the Democrats, for until the slavery question again became
the leading issue, the Germans were almost without exception Demo¬
crats. On a strict party test the Democrats rarely failed to carry the
county, up to the time of the change from them by the Germans. But
notwithstanding the Democrats were in the majority, one or more can¬
didates of the Whig ticket were not unfrequently elected, through
their personal popularity.

Among the earlier public men of the county was Felix Scott, who
was also something of a “character.” Though a man of culture and
good breeding, he partook largely of the spirit of the times on the then
frontier of civilization, as Missouri was regarded, and was noted as a
fighter, being considered the “ best man ” in all the country round
about. Once challenged to fight a duel, such was his courage and his
contempt for his antagonist that he quietly stood with his gun pre¬
sented without offering to fire, and, after his opponent had fired at him,
coolly laid his gun down and gave the latter a sound drubbing with his
fists. In 1826, after having served for several terms in the House of
Representatives, he was elected to the State Senate ; and such was his
prominence and recognized ability, that he was made President of the
Senate pro tern, or presiding officer of that body in the absence of the
Lieutenant-Governor. He was originally from Monongalia county ,
West Virginia, and was educated for the profession of law. In
1846 he removed to California, and became oue of the leading and
wealthy fiue-stock raisers of the country. He was finally murdered,
however, by a hired man while returning from Kentucky with a herd

194

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

of blooded cattle, and when within a day’s journey of his home in
Oregon.

Between 1815 and 1835 or ’40, William Christy, Jr., was an active
leader in county politics. He held the position of quartermaster at
Bellefontaine during the War of 1812. Afterwards he removed to
St. Charles, where he was elected clerk of the county and circuit
courts. He was also clerk of the Supreme Court for a time. He held
the office of circuit clerk in this county for over twenty years continu¬
ously, and until he was succeeded by Col. Ludwell E. Powell,
mentioned in the sketch of the Mexican War, on a former page.

But above all, the most distinguished citizen of St. Charles county
in the early history ofthe State, or at any other time, and one of the
greatest and best men whose life adorned public affairs, was Hon.
Edward Bates, who rose from the position of youth without means
and obscure to a place in the Cabinet of President Lincoln. He
represented St. Charles count}7 in the Legislature in 1828, and was
the father of the Whig party in this county. He also represented his
district in Congress, and in 1856 was the president of the National
Whig Convention at Baltimore. Mr. Bates held various official posi¬
tions, being in public life throughout most of his long and active
career. But he was, nevertheless, more of a lawyer than a politician;
for his whole life, from early manhood until the shadows of old age
had settled deep and heavy about him, was devoted to his profession.
A sketch of his career, therefore, belongs more properly to the suc¬
ceeding chapter — the “ Bench and Bar” of St. Charles county.

After the period of Judge Bates’ active participation in politics in
this county, the leading public men of the county bn the Whig side
were: Maj. Wilson, L. Overall, Col. Ludwell E. Powell, Hon. John
D. Coalter, Hon. William M. Campbell and Maj. William M. D.
Allen. On the Democratic side the contemporaries of these were :
Hon. James R. McDearmon, Judge Cartv Wells, Col. Pines H. Shel-
ton, and Judge Arnold Krekel. Dr. William G. McElhiney, and Joseph
Wells, a brother to Judge Wells, were also active and influential
Democrats.

The questions discussed, as before indicated, were the tariff, the
United States Bank Act, and internal improvements by the general
government. The Whigs favored all of these measures as conducive to
the best interests of the country and consistent with the genius of our

J i;

institutions, and the ideas and purposes of the founders of the gov¬
ernment. The Democrats opposed them on the ground that they

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

195

were not authorized by the constitution, were contrary to every
principle of local government, subversive of the reserved rights of the
States, unwise and injudicious in themselves, and tended to centralize
in the general government all powers, regardless of the States, and
strip them of their necessary and constitutional functions as members
of the Federal system and of their constitutional prerogatives as local
sovereignties. These questions and others of less importance were
discussed before the people with more or less spirit, and with ability
on both sides, from the rise of the Whig party until its dissolution
following the defeat of Gen. Scott in 1852. The Democrats were
almost invariably successful in the election of their Presidential candi¬
dates, and in the State elections of this State they succeeded without
exception. The United States banking system was wiped out of ex¬
istence, and the country repudiated the policy of protection in the
tariff system. The doctrine of internal improvements by the general
government, in its broader application as supported by the Whigs,
was also generally renounced.

Probably the ablest speaker in the county, among those mentioned
previously on the Whig side, was Hon. William M. Campbell — at least
he was the favorite by far as a popular orator. He was a fine lawyer and
a man of marked natural ability. Though quite animated as an orator,
and something of an actor, as the best of speakers invariably are, he
was at the same time logical and studied in his arguments, and in¬
variably carried the reason of his hearers along with him, as he did their
feelings. In the every-day walks of life he was somewhat eccentric,
and rather a man of moods. He was very untidy of dress and careless
of his personal appearance ; and while at times he was a great talker,
seemingly delighted with conversation, at other times he was remark¬
ably taciturn and reserved, refusing even to speak to or notice any one,
whatever the occasion might be. Though a good-hearted man, and
never desiring to give offense to any of his friends, he was often ex¬
tremely disregardful of the finer amenities of life. Still he was very
popular ; and although an ardent Whig in a strong Democratic county,
he invariably carried the county when he was a candidate before the
people. He was a man of large physique and light complexion, but
by no means handsome ; yet, when he chose to present a good ap¬
pearance, he was of prepossessing presence.

Col. Ludwell E. Powell was perhaps the best political organizer ever
in the county. He was no speaker, but relied for success on his ability
and skill in planning and executing a political movement, and on culti¬
vating the friendship of every one — Whig and Democrat, old and

196

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

young. He was a remarkably handsome man, large and of fine ap¬
pearance, and courtly and cordial in manners and conversation. He
was unquestionably a man of superior mental force, and of a good
heart ; and in his day by far the most popular man in the county.
Whig as he was, he rarely had any opposition as a candidate, and was
invariably elected.

Hon. John D. Coalter was a man of finer mental culture than his
Whig friend and coadjutor, Campbell, and was a very incisive, logical
and effective speaker. Indeed, he had something of the genius of the
orator, and his speeches were models of diction and literary eloquence.
But while they read better than those of Campbell, they by no means
had the electrifying effect that Campbell’s speeches invariably pro¬
duced. Both were men of temperate habits and strictly honorable,
upright lives. Neither was ever defeated when before the people for
office. Campbell distinguished himself as a member of the State
Senate, and Coalter was recognized as the leader of the House.

Maj. Overall was a wealthy farmer of the county, a man of high
character and good intelligence. He took little or no part in discus¬
sions on the stump, but was an earnest Whig and well posted in the
history of parties and in current politics.

Mr. Allen, who is still living, a resident of Wentzville, of which he
was the founder, was a prominent man in the politics of the county 30
or 40 years ago. He represented the county in the House of Repre¬
sentatives and in the State Senate for a number of years, and in con¬
junction with State Senator Reed, of Callaway county, was mainly
instrumental in obtaining the charter of the old North Missouri Rail-
road. Senator Reed was the author of the bill, although others have
claimed the credit of drawing and introducing it. Maj. Alien was his
main coadjutor in carrying it forward to a successful passage.

Mr. Allen was first elected to the Legislature in about 1846, though
he had previously been quite active and prominent in county politics.
Four years later he was elected to the State Senate, and while a mem¬
ber of that body was one of the principal leaders of the supporters of
Hon. Henry S. Geyer for the United States Senate. The Whigs were
in a minority in the Legislature, but the Democrats were divided into
two factions — the anti-Bentons and Bentons, or the “Hards” and
“ Softs,” as they were called. Here the Whigs saw their opportunity,
for the two factions in the Democratic party were so bitter against each
other that each would vote for any one else in preference to one of its
opponents, and neither the anti-Bentons, Bentons nor Whigs could
elect without help from one of the other parties. Balloting was kept

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

197

up for several days, until the fortieth ballot was reached when, the
Whigs still holding out for Greyer, and the Anti-Bentons fearing the
success of Benton, whom they were determined to defeat, finally voted
largely with the Whigs for Geyer and elected him. Thus ended one
of the most remarkable senatorial contests ever witnessed in the
country.

Such was the high estimate placed upon Mr. Allen’s services by

Senator Geyer that he personally, and afterwards by letter, warmly

thanked him for the fidelity and ability he had shown as a leader of

%/ %/

the Geyer forces. In this letter Senator Geyer outlined his intended
course of political action in the Senate, and his reasons therefor, and
it was regarded by those who saw it as one of the ablest enunciations
of the principles of the Whig party which ever emanated from the pen
of that distinguished man.

Mr. Allen, now retired, was a farmer by occupation, and a man in
easy circumstances. He was an early settler here and a large slave¬
holder and land-holder. A representative of an old and well known
Virginia family, he succeeded in obtaining a good education in early
life, and has always shown a marked taste for mental culture. An
industrious and extensive reader, he early became a man of large
information, and on account of his character and ability was soon
accorded a position among the leaders of his party in this county. He
was an active canvasser in his political life, and although a representa¬
tive of the minority party in the county, he had the happy faculty of
putting the questions at issue before the people in such a light as to
win for his views and opinions their hearty indorsement. One illus¬
tration of this will suffice : the Democrats were unanimously opposed
to internal improvements by the general government. But Congress
had passed an act making an appropriation for, and authorizing the
building of a national turnpike from the Atlantic seaboard westward
through the different State capitals along the general route of the road.
As this would have to come to Jefferson City, it could not fail to pass
through St. Charles county, and of course the great advantages that
would thus accrue to the county could be dwelt upon with great fervor
and effect. Democrats though the majority of the people were, the
advocacy of this particular road was a winning card, and Maj. Allen
had the tact to see this and the address to use it for all it was worth.
But a man of most excellent worth of character, the high esteem in
which personally he has always been held also contributed very mate¬
rially to his success.

On the Democratic side Judge Carty Wells was unquestionably the

198

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

ablest speaker in the county. Judge Wells was a son of Col. John
Wells, who settled in this county from Kentucky in an early day, and
was one^of its most prominent and wealthy farmers. The Wells
family, though somewhat aristocratic in their tastes and manner of
life, were highly esteemed by all classes. Judge Wells, naturally
gifted with a fine mind, had the further advantage of a thorough and
advanced education. He was a man of great refinement and delicacy
of feeling, scholarly and always gentlemanly and polite. A speaker
of great polish, he yet had the faculty of reaching the popular heart
and arousing his hearers to a high degree of enthusiasm. As a polit¬
ical leader and as a man he was emiuently worthy to represent his
party in the county against the ablest and best men on the Whig side.
His brother, Joseph Wells, also a prominent and successful lawyer,
was a fine speaker, one of the best, in fact, who ever went before the
people of the county.

Of Hon. James R. McDearmon it may, with truth, be said that he
was one of the most conscientious public men and upright citizens in
the county. In early life he was a school teacher, and, later along, a
farmer. He was originally from Virginia, where he received a colle¬
giate education. Frequently in this county he was the recipient of
important public trusts ; and, finally in 18 — , he was chosen to the
office of State Auditor, which he filled with ability and great accepta¬
bility to the people until his death at Jefferson City in 1848. The
fact of his appointment to that office by Gov. Edwards, then Gover¬
nor of the State, shows that he was regarded not only as a Democrat
of more than local prominence, but as a man of the highest integrity
of character. No man was ever more universally esteemed among
his neighbors and acquaintances for his many excellent qualities than
he. He always took an active part as a speaker in the political cam¬
paigns of the times, and was an able and popular speaker. He was
also a man of fine business qualifications. His sons, John K. and
Theodrick McDearmon, are prominent and well known citizens of
this county.

Col. Pines H. Shelton was considered in the preceding generation
one of the strong Democratic war-horses of the county. He was a
wealthy farmer with a penchant for politics, a fine large mouth, a cir¬
cular talker, and, withal, a vigorous, good speaker. When he went
on the hustings it was like shelling the woods, for the people could
not avoid harkening unto his voice. He was a man, however, of good
strong native ability, and one who read a great deal when no one was
around to talk to ; so that, being gifted with a good memory, he be-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

199

came well posted in politics and the current events of the times.
Neither he was not a man, by any means, without ideas, and, withal,
he was serious and in dead earnest in everything he went about. He
was a man of good impulses, and with an honest desire to do what he
believed to be best for the public interests and the cause of morality
and good government. His greatest fault was that he was too zealous
and earnest in whatever he undertook and carried it to an extreme.
An illustration of this is seen in his advocacy of the cause of temper¬
ance. Honestly and justly opposed to intemperance, he would carry
temperance to the extreme of putting it beyond the power of any one
to obtain a stimulant, under any circumstances, which could possibly
be made to intoxicate. That is, of course, all nonsense and fanatical.
He was a popular man, however, and highly esteemed in the county,
and represented it in the State Legislature and this district in the
State Senate. He subsequently removed to Texas, and there served
in the House and State Senate. Now, we believe, he is the leading
temperance advocate of Henry county, Missouri.

Dr. McElhiney was for many years previous to, and until the out¬
break of the war, an active and influential Democrat. He was a del¬
egate to the Baltimore convention that nominated Breckinridge and
Blaine in 1860, and was one of the committee who notified Franklin
Pierce of his election to the Presidency. Previously, he had served
with distinction in the Legislature, having defeated Wilson L. Overall,
the Whig candidate, and one of the most popular men in the county.
Dr. McElhiney was for a number of years curator of the State Uni¬
versity at Columbia, and was one of the commissioners appointed by
the Governor to locate the State Insane Asylum. He was a native of
Maryland, born in Baltimore, November 15, 1798. He graduated in
medicine at the University of Maryland, and was afterwards appointed
brigade-surgeon by the Governor of that State. In 1857 he removed
to St. Charles from his farm on the Boone’s Lick road, in this county,
where he still resides, now in his eighty-sixth year. He retains to a
remarkable degree his early mental and physical vigor.

Judge Arnold Krekel, who was among the last of the Democratic
leaders in this county previous to the war, first began to take a promi¬
nent part in politics along in the later years of the “forties.” He
came over from Prussia with his parents, who settled in St. Charles
county in 1832, when he was about seventeen years of age. Subse¬
quently, he took a course of three years in the St. Charles College
and studied surveying. Following this he was elected county sur¬
veyor and also held the office of United States deputy surveyor. He then

200

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

studied law and began the practice in 1844. Later along he held the
offices of city attorney of St. Charles and county attorney, and in 1850
he established the St. Charles Democrat, which he edited for a num¬
ber of years. In 1852 he was elected a member of the Legislature,
and was quite active in railroad legislation. Though a Democrat, he
was an ardent advocate of internal improvements, particularly by the
State. Just preceding the war he was unquestionably one of the fore¬
most Democrats, if not in fact the Democratic leader, of this county.
But when it came to the question of breaking up the Union and
destroying the government, he left the Democratic party and identi¬
fied himself with the loval element of the State. Indeed, he had
never had any sympathy with the pro-slavery tendencies and ante¬
cedents of his party, and on that account would undoubtedly have left
it, if for no other cause. During the early years of the war he was
one of the most prominent and valuable supporters of the Union in
North-east Missouri. In St. Charles county alone he was instrumental
in enlisting between 1,200 or 1,500 men for the Union service. His
prompt action and activity saved all this region of the State north of
the Missouri to the Union. In 1865 he was a member of the State
constitutional convention, of which he was made President; and he
signed the ordinance for the emancipation of the negroes. While a
member of the convention he was appointed United States District
Judge by President Lincoln. He then removed to Jefferson City, and
he and Maj. Foster, now of St. Louis, founded Lincoln Institute.
Afterwards for ten years he delivered lectures at the Institute on Civil
Government and Political Economy, free of charge, lecturing on an
average more than a hundred times each year. He is an enthusiast
in the cause of education. Since the division of the district he has
resided at Kansas City.

During the war politics were silent, amid the clash of arms, and
little interest was taken in the elections. Since the restoration of
peace the two leading parties in this county have been the Democrats
and Republicans. However, up to a few }rears ago, party nominations
were rarely made by either party. This is attributed to the fact that
parties were so evenly balanced here that candidates preferred to run
unhampered by party nominations, and alone on their personal merits
and popularity. In the meantime, the Germans, in 1860, almost in a
body joined the Republican party and have continued to vote and act
with that party ever since. This has made the county very close. In
presidential years, sometimes one party carries the election and again
the other. Tilden carried the county in 1876 by a safe majority, but

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

201

Garfield received a majority in 1880 and Blaine several hundred major¬
ity the present year. Since the war the leading Democrats, from time
to time, have been Hon. A. H. Buckner, Judge Andrew King, State
Senator A. H. Edwards, Hon. Theodrick McDearmon, and his brother,
Col. John K. McDearmon, Hon. H. C. Lackland, Maj. C. W. Wilson,
Maj. James Edwards and a number of others.

Judge King was elected to Congress from this district in 1870, but
for a number of years past has resided in St. Louis. Judge Buckner
succeeded him in Congress, in which he served for twelve years con¬
tinuously, but he, too, has not been a resident of the county for a
number of years, having made his home at Mexico, in Audrain county.

Hon. A. H. Edwards has been a member of the Legislature, con-
tinuously, since 1870, and for the last ten years of that time he has
represented this district in the State Senate. He is conceded to be
one of the most prudent, experienced and upright legislators in the
State.

Hon. Theodrick McDearmon has not been conspicuous in politics,
having given his time almost exclusively to the law, but, nevertheless,
has been a consistent Democrat and given the party the benefit of his
counsel and personal work when thought to be necessary. Such was
his high standing as a lawyer and citizen that in 1884 he was nomi¬
nated for Judge of the Court of Appeals, but the district being
largely Republican he was defeated by Judge Rombauer, a former
circuit judge of St. Louis and a man of fine reputation as a lawyer
and jurist. His brother, Col. John K. McDearmon, has held the
office of county clerk for some eighteen years, six years prior to the
war and afterward, since 1872, continuously.

Hon. H. C. Lackland was a member of the constitutional conven¬
tion of 1875, and in 1878 was elected to the State Legislature and
became chairman of the judiciary committee. The other gentlemen
mentioned, Maj. James Edwards and Maj. C. W. Wilson, are promi¬
nent and active workers in the Democratic party. Maj. Edwards was
chairman of the congressional district committee and for some years
was an assistant door-keeper in the United States Senate. He was a
brave and dashing officer in the Confederate army during the 'war
and greatly distinguished himself by his courage and intrepidity.

On the Republican side the principal political leaders are Hon. The¬
odore Bruere, Capt. Charles Daudt, Hon. - Grabenhorst, Capt.

Gustave Bruere, Col. Benjamin Emmons, and a number of others.

Hon. Theodore Bruere, one of the leading lawyers of the circuit,
was for a number of years a member of the State Senate, and occu-

202

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

pied a position of marked prominence in that body. He is a man oi
culture and ability, and of high character and courtly, cordial bearing.
He is, in every best sense of the word, one of the prominent repre¬
sentative citizens of the county.

Capt. Daudt is an active politician, for a number of years chairman
of the Republican county committee, and a man of large influence in
the county.

Hon. Mr. Grabenhorst has been a member of the Legislature
from this county since 1880, and is generally conceded to be one of
the men whom nobody can beat. Some of the best men in the county
have tried him and all have come out of their campaigns wondering
how it was that he beat them so badly. He is a fine electioneerer, a
good man and popular with everybody. He has made a capable and
faithful representative, and the people are very well satisfied to keep
him in that body.

Col. Benjamin Emmons is a lawyer by profession, and was for a
number of years a member of the firm of Wagner, Dyer & Emmons,
of St. Louis, one of the leading law firms of the State. He was a
son of Maj. Emmons, mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, and
was reared in St. Charles county. He returned here after the disso¬
lution of the law firm of which he was a member, and in 1883 ac¬
cepted the office of circuit clerk. He had previously held the office,
prior to 1865, for some seventeen years. He is one of those quiet,
unassuming men, of great personal worth and no pretense whatever,
with a large heart and a kind disposition, always ready to favor any¬
one deserving it, and thinking less of his own interests and advance-
ment than of helping others. He is a man of sound, sober judgment,
strong, native ability, and is said to be the best statute lawyer in the
State. Of course he is popular with both parties, hardly less so with
Democrats than with Republicans ; and as long as he will consent to
hold his present office he can retain it, it matters not who carries the
country, Blaine or Cleveland, the ghost of old John Brown or the
living Jefferson Davis.

Capt. Gustave Bruere was county clerk for six years, from 1866 to
1872. He made a capable and efficient officer. He is a man of the
most accommodating disposition and will always do one a favor at the
cost of his own inconvenience and time. Sociable and cordial with
his friends and acquaintances, he is a man of recognized popularity
and marked influence in the county.

Since 1880 the two parties have generally made regular party nom¬
inations at the biennial elections, but the old feeling of voting for

7 O ©

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

203

candidates on their personal merits, rather than on their political
views, has so far prevailed that the stronger men in personal popu¬
larity on either ticket have generally been elected.

The following is a list of the different public officers, as far as we
have been able to obtain them, with their terms of service : —

Circuit Judges. — David Barton, from 18 — to 1818 ; N. B.
Tucker, from 1818 to 1820 ; Alexander Gray, from 1820 to 182-1 ;
Rufus Pettibone, from 1821 to 1823 ; N. B. Tucker, from 1823 to
1830; P. H. McBride, from 1830 to 1835; Luke E. Lawless, from
1835 to 1837 ; Ezra Hunt, from 1837 to 1849 ; Carty Wells, from
1849 to 1857 ; A. H. Buckner, from 1857 to 1859 ; Andrew King,
from 1859 to 1864 ; William W. Edwards from 1864 to present time
(1884), and term expires in 1886.

Sheriffs. — Uriah J. Devore from 1816 to 1818 ; Anthony C. Par¬
mer, from 1818 to 1820 ; Hiram H. Baber, from 1820 to 1824 ; Henry
L. Mills, from 1824 to 1826; William N. Fulkerson, from 1826 to
1832 ; William M. Christy, from 1832 to 1838 ; David McCausland,
from 1838 to 1840 ; John Orrick, from 1840 to 1844 ; Edward C. Cun¬
ningham, from 1844 to 1848 ; James S. M. Gray, from 1848 to 1852 ;
John A. Richey, from 1852 to 1856 ; Elias C. Stewart, from 1856 to
1860; Charles B. Branham, from 1860 to 1862 ; Edward C. Cunning¬
ham, from 1862 to 1864; Fred. W. Gatzweiler, from 1864 to 1866 ;
Henry E. Machens, from 1866 to 1870; John F. Dierker, from 1870
to 1874 ; August Friedrich, from 1874 to 1878; Joseph W. Ruenzi,
from 1878 to 1882 ; E. C. Rice, from 1882 to 1884.

Circuit Court Clerks. — William Christy, Jr., from 1815 to 1836 ;
Ludwell E. Powell, from 1836 to 1848 ; Benjamin Emmons, from
1848 to 1865 ; Joseph Maher, from 1865 to 1883 ; Benjamin Emmons,
from 1883 to the present time.

County Court Clerks. — William Christy, Jr., from 1821 to 1836;
Ludwell E. Powell, from 1836 to 1848 ; Benjamin Emmons, from
1848 to 1854 ; John K. McDearmon, from 1854 to 1866; Gustave
Bruere, from 1866 to 1872; John K. McDearmon, from 1872 to the
present time (1884).

County Court Judges. — Biel Farnsworth, Robert Spencer, John
B. Callaway, 1821 to 1825 ; William G. Pelters, James H. Audrain,
Alexander Murdock, Daniel Griffith, 1825 to 1826 ; Samuel Wells,
John Smith, RulufF Peck, Moses Bigelow, John Taylor, 1826 to 1827 ;
Micajah McClenny, William G. Pettus, Daniel Griffith, 1827 to 1832 ;
Robert Spencer, Daniel Griffith, M. McClenny, 1832 to 1836 ; Daniel
Griffith, Hugh H. Wardlaw, William N. Fulkerson, 1836 to 1838;

204

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Daniel Griffith, Robert Miller, Benjamin Emmons, 1838 to 1842 ;
Robert Miller, James R. McDearmon, Daniel Griffith (died), 1842 to
1844 ; Robert Miller, James R. McDearmon, Wilson L. Overall, 1844
to 1845 ; Robert Miller, Wilson L. Overall, Robert Bailey, 1845 to
1846; Robert Miller, Robert B. Frazier, Francis Yoste, 1846 to
1847 ; Robert B. Frazier, Francis Yoste, William L. Otev, 1847
to 1850; Ludwell E. Powell, Achilles Broadhead, Richard B.
Brumfield, 1850 to 1853; Ludwell E. Powell, John P. White,
Gordon H. Wallace, 1853 to 1855 ; Robert Miller, Robert Bailey,
F. W. Gatzweiler, 1855 to 1858; Daniel A. Griffith, F. W.
Gatzweiler, James W. Simpson, 1858 to 1860 ; F. W. Gatzweiler,
Henry Leseuer, Daniel A. Griffith, 1860 to 1862 ; Thomas H. Bar-
wise, F. W. Gatzweiler, C. F. Woodson, 1862 to 1863; S. S.
Watson, John Hansam, B. C. T. Pratt, 1863 to 1864; John Hansam,
B. C. T. Pratt, 1863 to 1864 ; John Hansam, B. C. T. Pratt, John F.
Schroer, 1864 to 1865; Charles Hug, Josiah Pratt, John F. Schroer,
1865 to 1867 ; John D. Hollrah, R. Hansell, John F. Schroer,
1867 to 1869 ; John D. Hollrah, R. Hansell, G. Mindrup, 1869 to
1871 ; John D. Hollrah, Joseph Cruse, Richard Hansell, 1871 to 1873 :
John D. Hollrah, Thom as H. Barwise, Joseph Cruse, 1873 to 1875;
Joseph Cruse, Hemw Gronefeld, Thomas H. Barwise, 1875 to 1879 :
Clement Boyce*, Jacob Zeisler, R. M. Guthrie, 1879 to 1882 ; Jacob
Zeisler, John F. Beumer, James Humphreys, 1882 to 1884.

BONDED INDEBTEDNESS.

St. Charles countv, financially, is in a crood condition.

August 1, 1873, the county issued jail bonds to the amount of
$10,000, bearing ten per cent interest, and due August 1, 1893.

September 1, 1873, the county issued road fund bonds to the
amount of 85,000, bearing eight per cent interest, and due Septem-
1, 1893.

The countv has now $11,000 in the treasury, as a sinking fund, to
meet these bonds, so that really the amount to be raised would be only
$4,000.

The current annual expenses are about $40,000, and the annual re¬
ceipts are about the same.

* Boyce died in 1882.

CHAP TEE VII.

BENCH AND BAR.

Without question, affairs of government effect more vitally the wel¬
fare and the progress of society than any other public interest. A
people unwisely and badly governed can at best hope for little ad¬
vancement or improvement in their condition, whilst those whose laws
are wise and just, and whose civil administration is pure and honor¬
able, invariably stand among the first in prosperity and intelligence
and in every desirable feature of civilization. Government, then, or
the system of laws and their administration, which control the affairs
of the people, are of the first importance. This has been so recog¬
nized among all nations, even among those only approaching civiliza¬
tion, and the legislator and the judicial magistrate, or the law-giver
and the judge, have always been honored as among the first person¬
ages of the State in dignity and importance.

Nor is it a fact less beyond dispute that the profession of law, in
itself a profession of the highest character and usefulness, has ever
been the great school in which the wisest and best legislators and
judges have received their training. Who can point to a law of any
importance or value in the history of any country, not drawn by the
hand of a lawyer, either a regular licentiate of the profession, or one
skilled in legal science by long study and investigation? In all times
the great law-givers and magistrates have almost invariably ranked
among the greatest lawyers of their day, and, on the other hand,
there can scarcely be mentioned a great lawyer who has not left the
impress of his genius upon the legislation and the judicial affairs of
his time. Whatever improvement, therefore, that has been made in
civil government, whatever advancement in defining and protecting
the rights of man in a state of civil society, whatever progress in civ¬
ilization indeed — for good government is the handmaid of civiliza-
tion — is very largely due to the legal profession.

Draco, who gave to the Athenians their first great code of laws,
was the greatest lawyer of his day ; Solon, nearly two hundred years
later, and a man of unrivaled wisdom and purity of character, was
the second great lawyer at Athens ; and he, too, left a code of laws
that have made his name immortal. And what schoolboy is not

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206

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

familiar with the name of that other great Athenian lawyer, states¬
man and orator, Demosthenes? These and hundreds of others, only
less eminent and distinguished, were given to Greece by the profes¬
sion of the law. And in Rome, under both the Republic and the
Empire, the legal profession gave to that mighty city the laws which
governed the world — laws whose influence is yet felt by the great
nations of the earth, more than a thousand years since the fall of
Rome herself. The Pandects and the Code of Justinian stand out
everlasting monuments to the wisdom and far-sighted statesmanship
of the great lawyers of that Imperial City. To-day they are the
bases of the jurisprudence of all the Latin nations, and many of
their wisest and best provisions have been ingrafted into the systems
of the laws of other countries.

So, every people have produced their great lawyers and magis¬
trates, men whose names are illustrious in their country’s history.
The Germans point with pride to their great advocates and jurists of
to-day and of the past; and France and Spain and Italy and all the
nations boast the names of men in the legal profession which were not
born to die. What would English jurisprudence have been without
the Bacons, the Burleighs, the Hardwickes, the Blackstones, the
Cokes, the Currans, the Erskines, and the Mansfields of that country —
what would English ideas of liberty, and, indeed, American hopes
and aspirations have been without them ? In our own country the
brightest names that adorn our national history are those of the great
luminaries of the legal profession — the Websters, the Choates, the
Marshalls, the Taneys, the Wirts, the O’ Conors, and hundreds of
others.

Nor is the history of Missouri barren of great names at the bar and
on the bench. Uriel Wright was a lawyer whose learning and ability,
and whose genius and eloquence would not have paled by comparison
with those of any member of the bar in this country, or elsewhere.
Then there was Edward Bates, originally of St. Charles county, and
Mathias McGirk; and also Rufus Easton, of this county, and Henry
S. Geyer ; and James B. Gardenhire and Blennerhassett ; Field and
Robert Stewart, and Gamble and a host of others — all men of the
first order of ability and learning, and lawyers who have left names
which will grow brighter and more illustrious as they are handed down
from generation to generation.

St. Charles county, as we have already intimated, has given to the
profession some of the first lawyers of the State. In everything, save
and excepting eloquence at the bar alone, Edward Bates was perhaps

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

207

the superior of Uriel Wright. As a land lawyer he was probably
without an equal in the United States, and as a man of sterling
native ability and sound, sober judgment, he had few, if any com¬
peers.

EDWARD BATES.

Mr. B. was born in Belmont, Goochland county, Va., September 4,
1793, and received an academic education. His ancestors were Quak¬
ers, but his father, though belonging to that sect, was too fervid a
patriot to stand by and see his country struggling for independence
without lending a helping hand. So he joined the army and fought
through the Revolution. He had twelve children, Edward being the
seventh son. The latter came to Missouri in 1814, his brother Fred¬
erick being Secretary of the Territory, afterwards Governor. He im¬
mediately commenced the study of law in the office of Rufus Easton,
and was admitted to the bar in 1816, at the time we adopted our
common law. In 1820 he was chosen a delegate to the State Consti¬
tutional Convention, and rendered valuable assistance in the formation
of our fundamental law ; and in the same year was appointed Attorney-
General. In 1822, he became a member of the first Legislature, the
State not receiving final admission until 1821. In 1824 he was
appointed by President Monroe, United States Attorney for the Mis-
souri district. In 1827 he was elected to Congress and served a full
term. In 1830 he was sent to the State Senate, and in 1834 was a
member of the popular branch of the General Assembly. In 1850
President Filmore tendered him a seat in his Cabinet as Secretarv of
War, which he declined, though he had been confirmed by the Senate.
In 1853 he was elected Judge of the St. Louis Land Court, a court
created for the purpose of taking special cognizance of cases involving
real estate litigation. Upon the assembling of the Whig National
Convention at Baltimore, in 1856, he was chosen President, and pre¬
sided over its deliberations with marked ability. In 1858 he was
honored by Harvard University with the degree of Doctor of Laws. In
1861 he was selected by Mr. Lincoln as his Attorney-General, and
held this office until his resignation in 1863, and died in St. Louis,
March 25, 1869, at the age of 76. Mr. Bates was a natural orator,
and gifted with all the graces of elocution. He had a sweet, musical
voice, and words fell from his lips without any apparent labor. In
1823 Judge Bates married Julia D. Coalter, of South Carolina, a most
estimable lady, who still survives him. He also left 11 children.

208

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

RUFUS EASTON.

How few can be found who ever heard of the subject of this sketch ;
yet he was one of the most profound lawyers of early Missouri, and
has left the impress of his mind upon the laws, statutes and institu¬
tions of our State. He was born in Litchfield, Conn., on May 4th,
1774, little over a century ago. He came into life upon the dawn of
our independence. Of the family but little is known, but they ren¬
dered good service in the Revolutionary War. Young Easton received
a good education preparatory to entering upon the study of the law.
In 1791, he commenced studying law in Litchfield, and on reaching
his majority, obtained license to practice in Connecticut, and prac¬
ticed in that State until the opening of the present century, when he
removed to Rome, Oneida county, N. Y., where he soon became
known as a promising lawyer and attracted the attention of such men
as Gideon Granger, Postmaster-General under Mr. Jefferson ; DeWitt
Clinton, of New York, then regarded as the foremost of American states¬
men. In March, 1804, Mr. Easton concluded to locate at Vincennes,
Indiana Territory, and obtained license there to practice, but did not
remain long, as he settled in St. Louis the same year, where he re-
mained until a few years of his death, when he moved to St. Charles.
He again visited Washington in 1804-5, and received considerable
attention from men of prominence. It was during that }rear that Col.
Aaron Burr made his arrangements to carry into effect his favorite
project of establishing a Western empire, to embrace Mexico and the
Western States and Territories, with New Orleans as its capital. He
no doubt then calculated upon the co-operation of Easton ; and, to
increase Easton’s influence, joined Granger and others in procuring
for him the appointment of Judge of the Territory of Louisiana ; for,
on March 13th, 1805, Easton’s commission as such was signed by Mr.
Jefferson. Mr. Easton interpreted the designs of Burr through several
letters by Burr to him. In September, 1805, Burr came to St. Louis
and soon had a conference with Easton and others, which satisfied him
that Easton would prove hostile to his plans ; so they refused to con¬
fide in him, and that ended all further conference so far as Easton was
concerned. After Burr left St. Louis, there were reports circulated
charging him with official corruption, which were so managed that
they came to the ears of the President, and when Easton’s commission
expired Mr. Jefferson nominated another person to his office.

Judge Easton immediately repaired to Washington and sent a com¬
munication to the President, asking to be furnished with the charges

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

209

made against him ; to which Mr. Jefferson replied, defining his policy
in reference to appointments. Easton called upon him next day, and
the President doubtless became satisfied that the charges were
unfounded, for though he declined to reappoint him to the judgeship
of the Territory, he gave him the office of United States Attorney.
There was a warm personal friendship between him and the Attorney-
General, Gideon Granger, and he helped to expose those connected in
that traitorous project to divide the Union.

During this time he was actively engaged in the practice of his pro¬
fession, and became the leading lawyer of the Territory and enjoyed
the most lucrative practice at the bar. He was more noted for the
soundness and vigor of his intellect than for impassioned eloquence.
From the time he came to the Territory his popularity and influence
gradually increased, and in 1814 he was elected a delegate to Con¬
gress from the Territory, and continued such for a period of four years.
Upon the organization of the State government, in 1821, he was ap¬
pointed Attorney-General, and continued in that office until 1827. He
died in St. Charles July 5, 1834, and his remains repose in Linden-
wood cemetery.

EDWARD HEMPSTEAD

was born in New London, Conn., on June 3, 1770, over a cen¬
tury ago, and came to the Territory of Louisiana as early as 1804,
traveling all the way on horseback. At that period the facilities
for traveling were very limited — indeed almost confined to horse¬
back. There were no steamboats plying the Western waters, and
no stage routes west of the Alleghany mountains. It is true that
now and then the traveler, after reaching the Ohio river, would take
a passage on a flat-boat ; but as a general thing he relied upon his
horse — traveling weeks and months without shelter, and exposed to
all the dangers and privations that a new and almost unexplored
region subjected him to. When night overtook him his place of rest
was upon the bare ground, with his blanket around him and his saddle
for a pillow, first having hobbled his horse and turned him loose to
graze upon the shrubs and grass. Such were the facilities offered Mr.
Hempstead to reach the Father of Waters. Mr. JHempstead received a
classical education, and was admitted to the bar in 1801, and after
practicing three years in Rhode Island came West and settled in the
town of St. Charles, from whence he removed in 1805 to St. Louis,
where he resided till his death.

210

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Mr. Hempstead filled many public positions with great credit to
himself and to the entire satisfaction of the government. In 1806
he received the appointment of Deputy Attorney-Greneral for the dis¬
trict of St. Louis and St. Charles, and in 1809 became Attornev-General
for the Territory of Upper Louisiana, which office he filled till 1811.
He was also the first delegate to Congress from the Western side
of the Mississippi river, and represented Missouri Territory from 1811
to 1814, and afterwards became Speaker of the Territorial Assembly.
Almost his entire professional life was spent during the territorial
government, having died four years prior to the admission of Mis¬
souri as a State. .

As a lawyer Mr. Hempstead was more profound than brilliant, and
no one at the bar excelled him in the knowledge of the laws and
regulations of the territory. He made a good delegate in Congress,
and served his constituents most faithfully.

Mr. Hempstead died in St. Louis in August, 1817. There are a
few still living who remember him well, and who delight to dwell upon
his virtues and his talents.

EZRA HUNT

was born in Milford, Mass., on April 7, 1790, and entered the fresh¬
man class at Harvard in 1812; became greatly distinguished in mathe¬
matics, which subject was assigned him at commencement when he
graduated. Upon leaving college he was appointed preceptor of
Leicester Academy, a position which he held until the latter part of
1814, when he returned to Cambridge, with the intention of studying
divinity, but was soon after persuaded to take charge of an academy
in Pulaski, Tenn. His health failing him there, he determined to
cross the Mississippi, and reached St. Louis in 1819 or 1820, entered
the law office of Judge William C. Carr, and was in due time admitted
to the practice of the law, and soon after settled in Louisiana, then the
county seat of Pike county, where he remained about three years,
when he removed to St. Charles. In 1831 he returned to Pike, and
in 1836 was appointed judge of that circuit, the duties of which he
discharged for many years ; then returned to the practice, and finally
died in Troy, Lincoln county, in 1860, at the ripe age of 70 years.
His fondness for literary pursuits and his love for legal research caused
him to accumulate a fine library, by the use of which, aided by a
discriminating and logical mind, he became a sound lawyer and ripe
scholar. As a husband and father he was kind and indulgent, and as
a jurist, learned, just and true. His death occurred September 19,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

211

1860, and was very sudden. He was at the time engaged in a very
pleasant conversation with a young lady, and in an instant fell and
expired. Half an hour before he had closed a speech in the court¬
house.

WILLIAM M. CAMPBELL.

The people of Missouri will better recognize Mr. Campbell by the
name of “Billy Campbell,” for by that name he was universally
called. He was a native of Virginia, and was born in Lexington, Rock¬
bridge county, June 19, 1805. He was a graduate of Washington
College, now known as Washington and Lee University. He finished
his legal studies in his native place and in the fall of 1829 came to
Missouri and opened a law office in the town of St. Charles. He made
no effort to obtain business, but his abilitv soon became known, and
from that time he was able to command any practice he wished. The
next year he was sent to the General Assembly, and finally chosen to
represent his district in the State Senate, where he was retained until
he moved to St. Louis, in 1844. The change of residence was occasioned
by his being invited to take charge of the editorial department of the
New Era, a Whig daily evening paper, published in St. Louis by
Charles Ramsey, Esq. He was shortly afterwards again sent to the
State Senate from St. Louis, and remained in that body until his
death, which occurred December 30, 1849. Mr. Campbell was recog¬
nized as one of the ablest lawyers in the West, having, indeed very few
superiors at any bar, and as a political writer was unsurpassed. He
was a fine classical scholar, and spoke both French and Spanish. His
style of speaking was bold, logical and fluent, and before a jury was
almost invincible. His personal popularity was so great that no party
discipline could defeat him before the people.

Mr. Campbell remained a bachelor through life.

CHRISTIAN KRIBBIN.

Few lawyers were better known in his day than this man, for he
not only practiced in all the courts of St. Louis, but was an active
Democratic politician. He was a Prussian by birth, and born at
Glenel, near Cologne, March 5, 1821. In 1835 his father came to the
United States, and settled in St. Louis county, Missouri. In 1838
the family removed to St. Charles, where Christian’s father opened a
grocery store and the son was installed as clerk and chief salesman.
At the age of 17 he commenced the study of law with Mayor Cunning¬
ham, Esq., of St. Charles, and in due time was admitted to the bar.

212

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

For some reason he obtained very little business, and finally opened an
office in St. Louis, where he soon acquired a good German practice.
He was very fluent and ingenious, and spoke the English as well as
the German. He became an ardent politician and during every can¬
vass was frequently called upon to address the people. When the
Mexican War broke out he enlisted in the army under Gen. Doniphan,
and rose to the rank of colonel. While in Mexico he studied the
Spanish language, and while quartered at Chihauhua, edited a news¬
paper printed half in English and half in Spanish. After the close of
the war he visited Europe, and remained there two years. He corre¬
sponded with the press in St. Louis, and his letters giving an account
of his travels and the state of affairs on the continent, were highly in¬
teresting. In 1854 he married Miss Delafield, of St. Louis, a daughter
of John Delafield, Esq. In 1858 he was elected to the General As¬
sembly of Missouri, and was chosen Speaker of the House. During the
administration of Governor Stewart, he was appointed colonel of the
militia. In 1864 he lost his wife, and the following year, on June 15,
he died, leaving two children, a son and a daughter, aged respectively
seven and nine years.

JOHN D. COALTER.

Few men at the St. Louis or St. Charles bar were more universally
esteemed than Gen. Coalter, who obtained his military title by ser¬
vices rendered in the State militia. He was born in South Carolina
in 1818, and, when a small boy, came with his parents to Missouri.
The family settled in St. Charles county, and John was sent to the
South Carolina College, where he obtained his education. He then
returned to St. Louis and entered upon the study of law, and in due
time was admitted to the bar. He commenced the practice in St.
Charles, and became one of the most successful lawyers at the bar.
He frequently represented St. Charles county in the General Assembly,
and it was said that he could go to the Legislature whenever he de-
sired, no matter what party was in the ascendant. While all who
knew him will admit that he was a sound, well read and reliable law¬
yer, yet those who knew him best will appreciate the difficulty of as¬
signing him his true position at the bar, for it was his misfortune, if
such it can be called, to be a man of ample estate, and hence not
driven to professional labor by the ordinary necessities of life. Nor
was he stimulated by a desire to obtain distinction or reputation, con¬
sequently he rather avoided than sought practice. He only went into
the courts when urged by his friends or when called upon by some

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

213

old client who would not dispense with his services. He eschewed
office and had very little respect for chronic office seekers, and never
accepted any public position which he could consistently decline.

Gen. Coalter made no pretensions to oratory, yet was a forcible,
clear and lucid speaker, and impressed a jury most favorably. He
had a fund of good humor which often excited considerable mirth.
Gen. Coalter died in St. Louis in October, 1864, leaving a widow but
no children.

CHAPTER Till.

NEWSPAPERS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, RAILROADS, Etc.

History of Printing and First Newspapers — The Missourian, First Paper in Missouri,
outside of St. Louis, West of the Mississippi — When Established and by Whom —
Its Success — Suspended and Never Revived — Succeeded by the Clarion — Cosmos,
Oldest Paper in St. Charles County — Descended from the Clarion, which was fol¬
lowed by Free Press, Advertiser, etc. — Purchase of Cosmos by W. W. Davenport —
Other Proprietors of Paper — Destroyed by Fire — Continued Publication by Stock
Company — Dr. Davis, Editor — Size of Paper — Politics — St. Charles Xews —
When Established — Removal from Wentzville to St. Charles — Sold to F. C. King,
and in 1874 to Stock Company — Passes into Hands of P. A. Farley — Succeeded by
James C. Holmes — Characteristics and Politics — St. Charles Demolcrat — German
Weekly — Started in 1852 — First Issue — Whom Supported — Hon. Arnold Krekel
Editor until 1864 — Various Changes Through which it has Passed — J. H. Bode,
Present Proprietor — Katholicher Hausfreund — Public Schools in County — Rail¬
roads — California Emigrants.

The press, the great luminary of liberty, is the handmaid of pro¬
gress. It heralds its doings and makes known its discoveries. It is
its advance courier, whose coming is eagerly looked for and whose
arrival is hailed with joy, as it brings tidings of its latest achievements.
The press prepares the way and calls mankind to witness the approach¬
ing procession of the triumphal car of progress as it passes on down
through the vale of the future. When the car of progress stops the
press will cease, and the intellectual and mental world will go down
in darkness. The press is progress, and progress the press. So inti¬
mately are they related, and their interests interwoven, that one can

not exist without the other. Progress made no advancement against

the strong tides of ignorance and vice in the barbaric past until it
called to its aid the press. In it is found its greatest discovery, its
most valuable aid, and the true philosopher’s stone.

The history of this great industry dates back to the fifteenth cen¬
tury. Its discovery and subsequent utility resulted from the follow¬
ing causes in the following manner: Laurentius Coster, a native of
Haerlem, Holland, while rambling through the forest contiguous to his
native city, carved some letters on the bark of a birch tree. Drowsy
from the relaxation of a holiday, he wrapped his carvings in a piece of
paper and lay down to £leep. While men sleep progress moves, and
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

215

Coster awoke to discover a phenomenon, to him simple, strange and
suggestive. Dampened by the atmospheric moisture, the paper
wrapped about his handiwork had taken an impression from them, and
the surprised burgher saw on the paper an inverted image of what he
had engraved on the bark. The phenomenon was suggestive, because
it led to experiments that resulted in establishing a printing office,
the first of its kind in the old Dutch town. In this office John Guten-
burg served a faithful and appreciative apprenticeship, and from it, at
the death of his master, absconded during a Christmas festival, taking
with him a considerable portion of the type and apparatus. Guten-
burg settled in Mentz, where he won the friendship and partnership
of John Faust, a man of sufficient means to place the enterprise on a
secure financial basis. Several years later the partnership was dis¬
solved because of a misunderstanding. Gutenburg then formed a
partnership with a younger brother, who had set up an office at
Strasburg, but had not been successful, and becoming involved in law¬
suits, had fled from that city to join his brother at Mentz. These
brothers were the first to use metal types. Faust, after his dissolu¬
tion with Gutenburg, took into partnership Peter Schoeffer, his servant,
and a most ingenious printer. Schoeffer privately cut matrices for the
whole alphabet. Faust was so pleased that he gave Schoeffer his only
daughter in marriage. These are the great names in the early history
of printing, and each is worthy of special honor.

Coster’s discovery of wood blocks or plates, on which the page to
be printed was engraved, was made some time between 1440 and 1450,
and Schoeffer’ s improvement — casting the type by means of matrices —
was made about 1456. For a longtime printing was dependent upon
most clumsy apparatus. The earliest press had a contrivance for run¬
ning the forms under the point of pressure by means of a screw. When
the pressure was applied the screw was loosened, the form withdrawn
and the sheet removed. Improvements were made upon these crude
beginnings from time to time, until the hand-press now in use is a
model of simplicity, durability and execution. In 1814, steam was
first applied to cylinder presses by Frederick Kong, a Saxon genius,
and the subsequent progress of steam printing has been so remarkable
as to almost justify a belief in its absolute perfection. Indeed, to
appreciate the improvement in presses alone, one ought to be privileged
to stand awhile by the pressman who operated the clumsy machine of
Gutenberg, and then he should step into one of the well-appointed
modern printing offices of our larger cities, where he could notice the
roll of dampened paper entering the great power presses, a continu-

216

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

ous sheet, and issuing therefrom as newspapers, ready for the carrier
or express. The Romans, in the times of the emperors, had period¬
icals, notices of passing events, compiled and distributed. These
daily events were the newspapers of that age. In 1536, the first news¬
paper of modern times was issued at Venice, but governmental bigotry
compelled its circulation in manuscript form.

In 1663 the Public Intelligencer was published in London, and is
credited with being the first English paper to attempt the dissemina¬
tion of general information. The first American newspaper was the
Boston JSIews Letter, whose first issue was made April 24, 1704. It
was a half sheet, twelve inches by eight, with two columns to the page.
John Campbell, the postmaster, was the publisher. The Boston Ga¬
zette made its first appearance December 21, 1719, and the American
Weekly , at Philadelhia, December 22, 1719. In 1776 the number
of newspapers published in the colonies was 37 ; in 1828 the
number had increased to 852, and at the present time not less than
2,000 newspapers are supported by our people. Journalism, by which
is meant the compiling of passing public events, for the purpose of
making them more generally known and instructive, has become a
powerful educator. Experience has been its only school for special
training, its only text for study, its only test for theory. It is scarcely
a profession, but is advancing rapidly toward that dignity. A distinct
department of literature has been assigned to it. Great editors are
writing autobiographies and formulating their methods and opinions ;
historians are rescuing from oblivion the every-day life of deceased
journalists ; reprints of interviews with famous journalists, touching
the different phases of their profession, are deemed worthy of publi¬
cation in book form. Leading universities have contemplated the in¬
auguration of courses of study specially designed to fit men and women
for the duties of the newspaper sanctum. These innovations are
not untimely, since no other class of men are so powerful for good
or ill as editors. More than any other class they form public opinion
while expressing it, for most men but echo the sentiments of favorite
journalists. Even statesmen, ministers and learned professors not
unfrequently get their best thoughts and ideas from the papers they
read. •

NEWSPAPERS.

The Missourian of St. Charles is believed to have been the first
paper published in the West outside of St. Louis on this side of the
Mississippi. It was established by Robert McLoud before the admis-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

217

sion of Missouri into the Union, and while St. Charles was the seat of
the State or Territorial government. He was a practical printer and a
step-son of Joseph Charless, Sr., one of the founders of the Missouri
Republican.

The Missourian was a small folio publication of 20 columns, ac¬
cording to the best recollection of those still living who remember
to have seen it. It was of course a weekly, although for the- time
being the organ of the State government. However, when it was
first established/though the State constitution had been adopted, the
formal act of admission had not been passed by Congress. Those
were not the days of the telegraph, and the daily news of the world
was not expected next morning, so that a weekly answered every
purpose.

The Missourian prospered abundantly during the earlier years of
its existence and while the seat of government continued here, and,
in fact, became a paper of large influence. It flourished for a number
of years after the removal of the capital to Jefferson City; but finally,
after passing through various changes of ownership and management,
suspended publication, and was never afterwards revived under its old
name. It was succeeded by the Clarion , and from that time forward
there were a number of newspapers established here from time to time
up to within a recent period, all of which passed through varied ex¬
periences, some failing outright, others being absorbed by more
powerful rivals, and all being more or less reorganized, at each of
which reorganizations, or at some of them at least, a new name was
assumed.

The early history of journalism in this county is briefly given else¬
where, so that for the purposes of the present chapter only the papers
of to-day need be spoken of. In giving sketches of these, however,
some of the facts already mentioned must necessarily be gone over,
for the journals of St. Charles at this time are more or less the out¬
growths of former papers, or lineal successors to them, so that in
giving a history of these mention must unavoidably be made to their
predecessors.

THE COSMOS.

The Cosmos is the oldest paper in St. Charles county, having nearly
completed its forty-ninth year. It is descended by regular transfer of
offices from the Clarion, mentioned above, which was the organ of the
Whig party in this county. The Clarion , as already stated, was owned
and conducted by Nathaniel Patton until his death, which occurred in

218

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

1837. His widow, Mrs. Patton, who afterwards became the wife of
Hon. Wilson L. Overall, continued the publication of the paper under
her proprietorship as Mrs. W. L. Overall, with Hon. W. H. Campbell
as editor.

But in 1839 the Clarion was sold by Mrs. Overall to Messrs.
Julian & Carr, who ran it, however, only about a year. They sold
the office to Berlin & Knipp, who changed the name of the paper to
the Free Press , and published it as such until 1842. Overall, Julian
& Carr then bought it and published it Advertiser for about four

years, following which Douglass & Millington became its proprietors.
They ran the paper as the Western Star until 1849. Orear & Kibler
succeeded them as proprietors, and changed its name to the C hrono-
type. In 1852 Kibler retired from the firm of Orear & Kibler,
McDearmon taking Kibler’ s place in the firm. The next year N. C.
Orear became sole proprietor. In 1854 Mr. Orear sold to King &
Emmons, who adopted the name of Reveille for the paper. Two
3'ears later Hinman & Branhan bought the Reveille , and ran it until
1868, when Edwards & Stewart purchased it. They gave it the name
of the Sentinel , and ran it as such for six years. Emmons & Orrick
now became proprietors of the paper, and gave it the double name of
the Sentinel and Cosmos.

The Cosmos had been established a short time before, and was the
principal office at the time of the consolidation. W. W. Davenport
succeeded Emmons & Orrick as the proprietor. He dropped the name
Sentinel from the paper altogether, and continued its publication as
the Cosmos until 1872. It was then purchased by W. A. McHenry
and C. C. Davis, who owned it jointly and published it under the
proprietorship of McHenry & Davis for nearly five years. January 1,
1877, McHenry became sole proprietor. Four years later, December
31, 1880, he sold to Charles Gatzweiler, Henry Sanford and Dr. J. W.
Davis, who bought it with the intention not only of continuing the
publication of the Cosmos , but of also issuing a weekly Republican
German paper, the Republikaner , from the office. But on the morning
of January 1, 1881, the next morning after they had purchased the
office, it was destroyed by fire in the conflagration of the Mittleberg
Opera House, together with all the files of the paper, its type, presses,
and other materials and fixtures.

With nothing but the good-will of the paper left, the new owners
proceeded energetically to repair their losses ; and, although but three
days remained for them to make up and publish the next weekly issue
of the Cosmos , such were their courage aud enterprise that on the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

219

following Wednesday, as usual, the paper appeared the same as if no
fire had occurred, except that it was reduced in size to a twenty-eight
column paper from thirty-six columns, which it previously contained.

Shortly after the destruction of the Cosmos office by fire a stock
company was organized for the continuance of its publication. Judge
F. W. Gatzweiler became president of the company and Charles Gatz-
weiler secretary. Dr. J. W. Davis, one of the prominent stock¬
holders in the company, continued as editor. Since that time its
publication has been continued under the proprietorship of the stock
company, known as the St. Charles Publishing Company, and with
Dr. Davis as editor.

Like all leading papers, country journals as well as those of the
cities, the Cosmos has been built up to its present prominence and in¬
fluence by years of hard work, economy and good management, and
by being conducted earnestly and faithfully in the interest of the
public upon whom it relies for support and success. No leading and suc¬
cessful journal can be established in a day or a year. It requires years
of patient toil and the exercise of the best business judgment, as well
as strict fidelity to the public interest and both ability and experience in
editorial management. The growth of the Cosmos not only since it
was given its present name, but prior to that time through all or
nearly all of the different changes of name and management it has
undergone, has been steady and substantial. Originally a small folio
of about twenty columns as the Clarion , it was enlarged from time to
time, and increased in circulation and influence, until it has become
one of the leading country journals of North-east Missouri. Not
only that, but in a business point of view, it now occupies a position
of thorough independence. It has long been a valuable and paying
piece of newspaper property.

The Cosmos is a four-page, thirty-six column paper, 28x44
inches in size and has a circulation of about 2,000. The office build¬
ing is one of the finest, outside of St. Louis and Kansas City, in the
State. It is a large, handsome two-story brick block, the first story
being fitted up and occupied as business houses. In the second story
there are a number of fine offices for attorneys and other professional
men ; and, besides, the Cosmos office. The latter is divided into
editorial, compositors’ and press-rooms ; and being built and fitted
up expressly for these purposes, they are veritable patterns of con¬
venience and neatness. The office is also supplied with a full job
printing “plant” and the Cosmos company are prepared to do as

220

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

good work in the job printing line as can be had in this part of the
State.

In 1883 the good-will and the subscription list of the St. Charles
Journal , a sprightly Democratic paper, established in 1880 by Messrs.
T. G. & G. S. Johns, was purchased by the Cosmos , or the St.
Charles Publishing Company, which added considerably to the circu¬
lation and influence of the Cosmos. The Republikaner , a weekly
German Republican paper, which it was the purpose of Messrs. Gatz-
weiler, Sanford & Davis to publish from the office of the Cosmos,
when they purchased it in December, 1880, has been printed and pub¬
lished from this office regularly every week from that time since. The
Republikaner is one of the leading German Republican papers of the
interior of the State, and has a large circulation and a good advertis¬
ing patronage.

Originally the predecessor of the Cosmos , as we have stated, was a
Whig paper, which it continued to be for a number of years. After¬
wards, under a change or changes of management, it became Demo¬
cratic. During the Civil War and for a time afterwards it was Repub¬
lican in politics. The Cosmos , proper, was established as a strictly
Republican paper, and so continued until 1877, when it became neutral
in politics. But under its present management it has been avow¬
edly independent. The Cosmos treats all political questions in a thor¬
ough spirit of independence and fairness, turning neither to the right
nor to the left to shield Democrat or Republican from responsibility
for his public acts. Whatever is worthy of commendation in either
party it approves heartily and without prejudice, and whatever cen¬
surable, it condemns without hesitation or fear and in the most positive
manner. But pre-eminently it is devoted to the material welfare and
social well being of the people of St. Charles county. Every public
enterprise, tending to promote the best interests of the county, re¬
ceives its most hearty support, and all movements of a moral, benev¬
olent, educational, or religious character, worthy of approval, find
encouragement and help in its columns. Dr. Davis, the present
editor of the paper, has been connected with it in this capacity for the
last 11 years. Of his experience and ability, as a writer, we have
already spoken in a sketch of his life, which appears in the biograph¬
ical department of the present work. Still, it would be less than
proper to add here that the success of the Cosmos during his connec¬
tion with it is largely due to his good judgment, industry and force in
the editorial management of the paper.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

221

ST. CHARLES NEWS.

The St. Charles Neivs was established in 1863 at Wentzville, a
thriving little town 20 miles west of St. Charles, by Win. S. Byran,
Under his management it continued until 1870, when, to enlarge its
field, it was removed to St. Charles and an interest in the paper was
sold to F. C. King, son of Hon. A. H. King, a former member of
Congress. Its publication was continued with increased success until

1874, when it was sold to the St. Charles News Company, a stock
company. This company continued its publication until December,

1875, when it passed into the hands of P. A. Farley, an attache of
the St. Louis Republican , who brought it to a high state of prosperity.
Upon his death, in April, 1883, the paper was sold to James C.
Holmes, its present proprietor. Mr. Holmes, by his superior and
careful management, close attention to details, good editorial judg¬
ment and fearless, outspoken views of party policy and management,
has brought the News to the front as the leading exponent of Demo¬
cratic principles in the Eleventh Congressional District. While
achieving a prominent position as a political organ, the department of
home news and local happenings, the peculiar domain of the country
journal, has not been neglected, as the thousands of readers in St.
Charles and adjoining counties, to whom it is a welcome, weekly visi¬
tor, can testify. Its constantly increasing list of subscribers show the
appreciation in which it is held by the community. With increased
facilities for news-gathering there is every reason to expect that there

will be in a short time but few homes in St. Charles county into which

the News will not enter. In connection with the News office, Mr.
Holmes has a thoroughly equipped job office, filled with the latest
faces of job type, fast presses, paper cutters, blocking machinery and
a large stock of blank goods kept constantly on hand, from which he
turns out some of the neatest and best executed job work west of St.
Louis. We append a few extracts from journals and individuals of
recent date, showing the enviable reputation the News is achieving
under the management of Mr. Holmes.

The News is certainly a great aid in advancing the prosperity of St.
Charles. — The Trade Journal.

We know of no country newspaper that gives more indications of
thrift and prosperity, than the St. Charles News. It certainly deserves
all of its apparent prosperity, for it does much to promote and en¬
hance the prosperity of St. Charles. — The Iron Review.

The News is assuredly the leading newspaper of St. Charles, in all

222

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

that goes to make a live, progressive and modern journal. — Columbia
Sentinel.

The St. Charles News is certainly the newsiest paper in Eastern Mis¬
souri. — Springfield News.

The St. Charles News is one of the ablest conducted journals in the
State. We welcome it to our sanctum. — Wellsville Democrat.

The News is an enterprising journal, fully abreast of the times. —

Decatur Review.

The Neivs is a most welcome visitor to my office. I do not see how
any citizen of St. Charles can dispense with it. — S. F. Covington ,
Cincinnati , 0.

I am more than pleased with the News. It is certainly making great
progress. — E. A. Lewis , Judge of the St. Louis Court of Appeals.

I congratulate you on the success you are evidently achieving. — E.
L. Noonan , St. Louis.

I have found the News a most excellent advertising medium. I am
well pleased with the results of my advertising in it. — A. J . Crawford ,
St. Louis , Mo.

ST. CHARLES DEMOKRAT.

This German weekly is published at St. Charles, Mo., every Thurs¬
day, by J. H. Bode, editor and proprietor. It was established in 1852
by Hon. Arnold Krekel, now United States circuit judge of the West¬
ern District of Missouri, who was its editor for 10 or 12 years. The
first issue of the paper appeared on January 1, 1852, with O. C.
Orear. and Jac. Kibler as publishers, who were at that time also pub¬
lishing an English sheet called the Chronotype. The issue of the
first copy of the Demokrat created quite an excitement and under
leading Germans, who were headed by Mr. Krekel, went to the Cal¬
ifornia House, where they had quite a jollification over the birth of
the “ baby,” which was destined to play quite a role in the course of
years on the local stage. The Demokrat was a paper advocating
Democratic principles ; supported James Buchanan, and later Franklin
Pierce, for the Presidency. The first two years the paper was pub¬
lished by Messrs. Orear & Kibler, when it passed into the hands of
Messrs. Gustave Bruere, who had arrived from Germany, a book¬
seller by trade, and Jul. Hiemer, a practical printer. These two gen¬
tlemen conducted the paper with Mr. Krekel as its editor for about
four years, when it passed into the hands of Mr. G. Bruere, retaining
Mr. Krekel as editor. Mr. Bruere conducted the paper till January 1,
1864, when the present editor and proprietor bought a half interest,
and it was then edited by them. In course of years the paper had
affiliated itself with the Republican party and supported Fremont for
the Presidency, afterwards Lincoln and Grant. In the so-called Liberal

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

223

movement it supported Horace Greeley. Bruere & Bode conducted
the paper for two years, when the former retired, being elected county
clerk, and Herm. Lindeman, assistant editor of the Westliche Post ,
bought Mr. Bruere’s interest. The firm was then J. H. Bode & Co.,
who conducted it for a year and a half, when it passed into Mr. Bode’s
hands solely, who made large improvements, in the way of machinery,
placing a card press and a cylinder press for printing of the paper
in the office, being the first press of that kind ever brought to the
town. In 1870 Mr. Bode sold an half interest to his brother William
A. Bode, who conducted the paper under the name of J. H. & W. A.
Bode for two years in such successful manner that the cylinder press
proved too small and a larger Hoe cylinder was bought, which is now
in the establishment, and driven by water power, in connection with
two other smaller presses. After the unfortunate Greeley movement
the paper went back to its “ first love,” advocated Democratic princi¬
ples and Democratic candidates for the Presidency, as Tilden, Han¬
cock and Cleveland. It was one, if not the first, German paper in
the State which advocated the nomination of Mr. Cleveland for the
Presidency. January 1, 1880, tjie paper passed into the hands of
Mr. J. H. Bode, the present editor and proprietor, on account of the
continued sickness of his brother. The office is now one of the best
equipped country offices in the State. It is the oldest German paper
in the State, having been published since its establishment in 1852
without interruption.

KATHOLICHER HAUSFREUND.

The Katholicher Hciusfveund , a German Catholic household paper,
was established at O’Fallon by Rev. Father Brockhagen about eighteen
months ago, and by his ability, enterprise and industry has been
placed upon a safe footing, in a business point of view. As a busi¬
ness enterprise it is now an established success. The Hausfruend is
a representative German paper of the Catholic Church, and has proved
to be a valuable auxiliary in the great work of Christianity in this
part of the country, and under the beneficent influence and teachings
of the Church. It holds a warm place in the hearts of true German
Catholics wherever it is known and circulates. It is edited with
marked ability and sincere, earnest piety, and a spirit of Christian
love pervades all its discussions of religious questions. Father
Brockhagen is a strong, vigorous writer, a man of strong mind and
thorough culture, and a man whose heart is not less fitted for the work
before him than his head. It was no ordinary undertaking to estab-

224

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

lish a representative German Catholic paper at a small interior town,
as he did, and no man of an ordinary stamp would have made the
venture, much less have made it the complete success which has
crowned the energy and enterprise of Father Brockhagen.

The ffausfreund is an eight-page, forty-column paper, 13x20 inches
in size. It is printed in clear, good type, and presents a neat and at¬
tractive appearance. It is well filled with good reading matter, largely
of a religious character. But, as the name of the paper indicates, it
gives considerable attention to the wants and interests of the house¬
hold generally, and therefore supplies its readers with much matter of
general interest. The Hciusfreund is a welcome visitor in every house¬
hold where it enters, and is steadily growing in circulation and influ¬
ence. It is well patronized by advertisers and is one of the prosperous
Catholic journals of the country. Father Brockhagen deserves un¬
qualified credit for the success he has achieved with the Hausfreund
and the good he is doing in this, as in other fields of usefulness.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

In this State, and in St. Charles county, we have had public schools
from the time of the organization of the State government, and a
regular public school system established by law. But in the early
history of the State and the county, on account of the sparseness of
the population, the limited means of the people and lightness of taxa¬
tion, and, to some extent, the scarcity and inferiority of teachers,
our public schools were neither numerous nor of a very superior char¬
acter. They were not supported by taxation as it would have been
well to sustain them, and the few we had were therefore not able to
continue their terms as long as they ought to have run. Hence, a
public school education in those days, whilst it included an elementary
knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic, and a scattering of
grammar and geography, was not as desirable or valuable as the in¬
struction received in our public schools now. On this account many
who were anxious to educate their children, sent them off to boarding
schools, and not a few to colleges. Indeed, good boarding schools
grew up in almost every county of the State and a number of col¬
leges of high standing were established. Local academies, as they
were called, and in some instances, seminaries, were started here and
there by public-spirited citizens who were able to contribute to them
and were desirous of educating their children at home. But all this
tended to the detriment of the public school system. People, to some
extent, came to look at it with disfavor, seeing that it resulted in but

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

22 5

little practical good. It was these considerations and influences, more
than any others, that brought about whatever prejudice there was in
Missouri prior to the war against public education, or “ free schools,’ *
as they were called.

But as the country advanced in population and neighborhoods be¬
came more thickly settled, the necessity of resorting to the public
school system became manifest. It was hardly to be expected that
local academies could be built up in each neighborhood. Hence, pub¬
lic schools under the general law sprang up here and there, and in
every direction, and long before the war, the free schools of this State
had made commendable progress. They of course had much to con¬
tend against, growing out of the conditions in the early history of
the State which we have referred to above. But considering all
the circumstances, no Missourian need hang his head in the face of
the public school record of his State. And in late years he may justly
point with pride to the high standard of schools we have under the
general law, the liberality and public spirit with which they are sup¬
ported as well the great work they have performed.

As early as 1843 there was a number of good public schools in St.
Charles county. The roll of attendance at the public school of the
town of St. Charles showed the presence of forty scholars. It was
taught in the building now occupied by R. Goebel’s photograph gal¬
lery, and the directors were John Adkinson, Arnold Krekel, Dr.
Thompson and F. W. Gatzweiler. From that time up to the present,
one or more public schools have been kept open at this place during
all, or nearly all, of the school months of the year. So, also, with
the county outside of the city of St. Charles.

About the time of the close of the war a new impetus was given to
the public schools of the State, generally. It was a time when all
kinds of taxation were being rapidly increased and the spirit to push
forward, regardless of expenses or cost, pervaded public as well as
private affairs. Everything was inflated, and money was plentiful.
The public schools shared in the benefits resulting from this condition
of affairs, and heavy taxes were laid for their support. The school
laws were materially amended and liberalized and provisions made for
amplifying and improving the public school system. That period
marks a decided epoch in the public school system, and one from
which the schools have ever since made steady and rapid progress.

In 1864 the school directors of St. Charles were F. W. Gatzweiler,
president of the board ; Theodore Bruere, secretary, and Charles Hug,

226

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

treasurer. The daily attendance of pupils numbered 130, and two
teachers were employed. Jefferson school-house, on Jefferson and
Fourth streets, was erected two years later. Franklin school-house
came into the possession of the school board in 1870. Soon after this,
Lincoln school-house, then a negro church, was purchased to be used
as a temple of learning for the little negroes of the city. The Jeffer¬
son school-house was materially enlarged and improved in 1874. At
this time the average daily attendance of pupils in the St. Charles
public schools was 425, 75 of whom are representatives of the Fifteenth
Amendment. The permanent school fund of the city was $30,000 ;
State revenue fund, per annum, $1,961.14 ; county and city revenue
for the city, per annum, $1,847.07 ; number of teachers employed,
eight; highest salary paid per annum, $1,000; lowest salary per
annum, $500; length of session, ten months, beginning on the 1st of
September. The present school board is composed of F. W. Gatz-
weiler, president; Theodore Bruere, secretary, and August Maerten,
treasurer. Prof. W. C. Goodlett is the principal of the public schools
of the city, a gentleman of high character, superior culture and large
experience as an educator. He has brought the public schools of the
city to a high plane of efficiency and success. Prof. Goodlett is ably
assisted in his work by the Misses Laura Goebel, Clara Clauss, Maggie
Parks, Lizzie Rood and Clara Bruere, at Jefferson school, and by
Miss Mary Powell at Franklin school. Lincoln school is presided over
by R. L. Woods, a colored educator of repute.

In the county, outside of St. Charles, the public schools have shown
an equally gratifying degree of progress. The average daily attend¬
ance throughout the county is 7,507, representing 3,364 white male
children, 3,286 white of the feminine gender, 436 colored boys, and
421 colored girls. The permanent county school fund is $21,265.31 ;
township fund $41,137.75. The general school tax of the county is
$24,166.76 ; county interest $4,367.58 ; State fund for the county,
(annual) $7,000 ; making an annual fund for school purposes (not in¬
cluding the city of St. Charles) of $35,534.34. The number of dis¬
tricts in the county is 74.

Unquestionably the above facts present a very gratifying showing
for the public schools of the county. They are warmly supported by
all classes, and if any prejudice against them ever obtained, it has long
since passed away. The same is probably true of the whole State at
large. Men of all parties vie with each other in efforts to promote
the blessings of public, popular education. No one who would oppose

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

227

the public school system of this State, would find any appreciable sup¬
port among the people, but on the contrary would meet general and
positive disapprobation.

RAILROADS.

THE WABASH.

In the present volume a somewhat extended and detailed history of
the Wabash Railroad has been given elsewhere. It will be found in
the division of this work devoted to the history of Warren county.
Its appearance there, therefore, renders it unnecessary to speak, gen¬
erally, of that road in the present connection. As the county map
shows, the Wabash enters this county on its eastern border at St.
Charles and pursues nearly a direct westward course to the western
border of the county. We have mentioned the fact elsewhere that
Hon. William Allen, of Wentzville, was largely instrumental in secur¬
ing the charter for the old North Missouri from the Legislature. The
road has proved a great benefit to St. Charles county. It opened up
the county to the outside world and gave the people a convenient and
rapid means of transportation to all the markets of the country. Of
course the county has suffered some from what seemed freight extor¬
tions, but the benefits received far outweigh the burdens borne. To
be sure, there is some complaint that the road is not assessed and
taxed, proportionally, as heavily as the other property, and that it
even refuses to pay the taxes levied against it. But as humanity is
constantly growing better, it is to be hoped that although the Legis¬
lature and the courts refuse to remedy this (and of course nobody
expects the Board of Railroad Commissioners to correct it), the pub¬
lic-spirited and philanthropic-hearted general officers and managers of
the road will at last come to see the error of their ways in a light as
broad and bright as the effulgence of a Brush electric lamp, and vol-
untarially pay over to the county all taxes justly due, but the
payment of which the county is utterly helpless to enforce.

ST. LOUIS, KEOKUK AND NORTH-WESTERN.

The next most important road to the Wabash in this county is the
St. Louis, Keokuk & North-Western, which is now owned and
operated by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy and is a part of the
great system of roads of the latter company, one of the largest, as it

228

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

is one of the finest and wealthiest systems in the West. The St.
Louis, Keokuk and North-Western forms a junction with the Wabash
in this county and leads thence north-westward up the Mississippi
through Clarksville, Louisiana and Hannibal, to Keokuk, Iowa, where
it connects with all the different roads entering at Hannibal and
Keokuk.

The building of the St. Louis, Keokuk and North-Western, and of
the St. Louis, Hannibal and Keokuk, together with the aid rendered
them by this county and the part taken by citizens of the county in
those enterprises, have already been spoken of in a former chapter.

The general offices of the St. Louis, Keokuk and North-Western, or
the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, as the owner of the North-West¬
ern are W. W. Baldwin, president; T. J. Potter, vice-president; J.
C. Peaseley, treasurer ; R. Law, general superintendent ; J. H. Best,
general ticket and freight agent ; Howard Elliot, assistant treas¬
urer and auditor ; H. W. Pratt, car accountant, and H. B. Starring,
general baggage agent.

ST. LOUIS, HANNIBAL AND KEOKUK.

The St. Louis, Hannibal and Keokuk also forms a junction Avith the
Wabash in this county, above the junction of the St. Louis, Keokuk
and North-Western, and leads thence north-westward to Hannibal and
Quincy through Troy, Bowling Green, New London and Palmyra.
It has connections with the Wabash, the Missouri Pacific, the Hanni¬
bal and St. Joe, Chicago and Alton, and a number of other roads. It is
operated under the receivership of Theodore Case at Hannibal. Its
other officers are W. W. Driggs, general ticket and freight agent;
F. C. Cake, Jr., general cashier and auditor.

From what has been said it is seen that St. Charles county is well
provided with railroad facilities. Farmers and business men and all
classes have the advantages of rapid and cheap transportation, one of
the great desiderata for the prosperity and material and general prog¬
ress of a community.

CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS.

St. Charles county has of course always been considered a good
county to immigrate to, but rarely a county to be emigrated from.
Those who settle here are generally satisfied to remain. The few
exceptions to this have been made only under the greatest induce¬
ments. About the largest emigration that ever occurred from the
county was in the years 1849 and 1850, when the California gold

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

229

excitement was at its height. Then the emigrants went from every
quarter of the earth where the tidings of the new-found Midas-land
were carried to the golden coast of the Pacific. No civilized country
was exempted, and of course St. Charles county gave up a number of
her people to the general movement across the continent. Among
those who went to California during the earlier years of the gold
excitement, the following are remembered : John W. Redman, John
A. Richey, James Gallaher, Jr., Dr. Frederick R. Gallaher, Robert
H. Cornforth, Albert H. Edwards, Thomas Glenday, Joseph Hall,
John Hall, George W. Garriott, — — Lucia.

CHAPTER IX.

\ ,

HISTORY OF FEMME OSAGE TOWNSHIP.

First Settlers — Augusta — Location — Femme Osage Post office — Pleasant Hill M. E.

Church South — Biographical.

Femme Osage township was the home of Daniel Boone, the great
hunter. Every hill and valley within that region of country has
doubtless resounded to the crack of his unerring rifle. Here he and
his family lived, having the honor of being the first Americans who
settled upon the soil of Missouri.

Nearly a century has passed since the period of their settlement,
and nearly three-quarters of a century have elapsed since the old
pioneer was buried, yet, many are the stories and wonderful tales of
adventure which are remembered and told of him by the older inhab¬
itants of the township. To have known Daniel Boone was a distin¬
guished honor, and one which the old settler is especially proud of.
To have seen him, to have been his neighbor, to have rested beneath
his roof and dined with him upon the venison which had been killed
by his own hand, constitutes a recollection that will live in the memory
of the old settler, and grow brighter as time steals away. But few
persons are now living who were so fortunate as to know and recollect
Mr. Boone. The author met with Mr. Charles M. Johnson, of St.
Charles, who has in his possession a cane, which was made and used
by Daniel Boone before he emigrated from Kentucky, in 1795. Mr.
Johnson came to Missouri in 1835, and after remaining one year on
Dardenne Prairie, he purchased the farm of Maj. Nathan Boone in
Femme Osage township, and moved into it in 1836. Daniel Boone
lived on this farm with his son Nathan. When Mr. Johnson took
possession of the premises, Mrs. Nathan Boone was moving out, and
finding the cane in an old cupboard, she threw it, with other things,
on the floor, preparatory to cleaning up the house. Mr. Johnson
seeing the cane on the floor, picked it up and asked Mrs. Boone who
owned it. She told him her husband’s father, Daniel Boone, and told
Mr. Johnson she would give the cane to him if he would take care
of it.

The cane, although it has been used for nearly, or quite a century,
(230)

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

231

is as sound it was, probably, when made. It was cut from the limb
of a black-haw tree, and is rather larger than the ordinary cane of
to-day, and a little shorter in length, having been worn off at the end.
The cane has a handle, or natural rest for the hand, and is smooth,
the bark having been apparently cut off with a pocket-knife.

Moses Bigelow, the son of Zachariah Bigelow, of Pittsburg, Pa.,
came to St. Charles county in 1821. He married Parthena, eldest
daughter of Jonathan Bryan, who was a widower at the time, having
previously married her cousin, Joseph Bryan. Mr. Bigelow had a
thousand dollars in cash when he came to Missouri, and by keeping
that sum constantly at interest, it made him a comfortable fortune
before his death, which occurred in 1857. Several years before his
death, his wife, while on a visit to a married daughter, was thrown
from a horse while returning from church, and one of her limbs was
so badly fractured that it had to be amputated. She, however, out¬
lived her husband, and died in 1873, of cancer. They had six chil¬
dren : James, Rufus, Rutia, Agnes, Abner and Phoebe. James was
married three times ; first, to Mary E. Hopkins ; second, to her sister,
Amanda, and third, to Angeline Callaway. Rufus married Henrietta
Eversman ; Rutia married Charles E. Ferney; Abner married Hulda
Logan; Agnes died single; Phoebe married Fortunatus Castlio.

William Bryan, a native of Wales, came to America with Lord
Baltimore about the year 1650, and settled in Maryland. His wife
was of Irish descent, and they had three children — William, Morgan
and Daniel. Of the succeeding generations of this family nothing is
definitely known, but early in the eighteenth century William Bryan,
a descendant of the Roan stock, settled in North Carolina. He mar¬
ried Sallie Bringer, who was of German extraction, and they had
eleven children: William, Morgan, John, Sallie, Daniel, Henry, Re¬
becca, who became the wife of Daniel Boone, Susan, George, James
and Joseph. During the Revolutionary War six of the sons served in
the American Army, and one (probably Joseph) cast his lot with the
Tories. He was promoted to the position of colonel and served with
Tarlton during his campaign in the Carolinas. On one occasion his
regiment of Tories, being in the advance, was attacked by the patriots
and forced to retreat. As they were falling back in great confusion,
they met Tarlton, who had heard the firing and accompanied by only
a few of his staff officers, was riding leisurely towards the scene of
conflict, blowing his bugle as he came. The patriots hearing the sound
of the bugle, and, supposing the entire British army was advancing
upon them, gave up the pursuit and retired. When Bryan met Tarlton

232

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

he demanded in an angry tone why he had come alone, instead of bringing
his entire army to his assistance. Tarlton replied he wanted to “ see
how the Tories would fight.” This so enraged the Tory leader that he
came near resigning his commission and retiring from the service,
and would probably have done so, if he could have returned home in
safety. Twto of the brothers who were in the American army (James
and Morgan) were at the bloody battle of King’s Mountain, and from
the best information we can obtain, their Tory brother fought against
them in the same battle. The war feeling ran so high, they would
have shot him, if he had come in the range of their rifles. Three of
the brothers (James, William and Daniel) followed Daniel Boone to
Kentucky, and built Bryan’s Station, near Lexington. Shortly after
their arrival, William and two other men left the fort and went some
distance into the woods, for the purpose of obtaining a supply of
game for the garrison. During their absence they were attacked by
the Indians ; Bryan’s companions were both killed and scalped, and
Bryan was shot through the knee with a rifle ball. But, notwith¬
standing his severe and painful wound, he rode to the fort, a distance
of thirty miles, through the thick wood and brush, and gave the alarm in
time to save the place from falling into the hands of the Indians. They
soon began to suffer greatly for provisions, being so closely watched
by the Indians’ hunting parties they did not dare venture out, and
they were reduced to the necessity of boiling and eating buflhlo hides
in order to avert starvation. James Bryan was a widower with six
children at the time of the removal to Kentucky, and it was his branch
of the family that afterwards came to Missouri. The descendants of
the other two brothers remained in Kentucky. The names of his
children were: David, Susan, Jonathan, Polly, Henry and Rebecca.
David married Mary Poor, and came to Missouri in 1800. He settled
near the present town of Marthasville, in Warren county. His chil¬
dren were : James, Morgan, Elizabeth, Mary, Willis, John, Susan,
Drizella, Samuel and William K. Mr. Bryan reserved a half acre of
ground near his house for a graveyard, and it was there that Daniel
Boone and his wife were buried. He also had a large orchard, which
he grew from apple seed which he carried from Kentucky in his vest
pocket. Susan Bryan married Israel Grant, of Kentucky. They had
three children : James, William and Israel B. Jonathan married
Mary Coshow, a widow, with one son — William (her maiden name
was Mary Hughes). In 1800 he moved his family to Missouri in a
keel boat, and landed at the mouth of Femme Osage creek on Christ-
mas-day of that year. He settled first in Lincoln county, near the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

233

present town of Cap-au-Gris, but there they were greatly exposed to
the attacks of the Indians, and the location proving to be a sickly one,
he moved and settled on Femme Osage creek, near Nathan Boone’s
place, where he lived during the remainder of his life. In 1801 he
built the first water mill west of the Mississippi river. The children
of Jonathan Bryan were : Parthenia, Phoebe, Nancy, Elijah, Abner,
Mary, Alsey, James, Delila and Lavenia. Henry Bryan married Eliz¬
abeth Sparks, and settled in St. Charles county, in 1808. They had
eight children : Susan, Joseph, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Cynthia, Johan-
nah, John W. and Polly. Rebecca, daughter of James Bryan, mar¬
ried Hugh Logan, of Kentucky, and they had five children : William,
Alexander, Hugh, Henry and Mary. Mr. Logan died and she was
married the second time to James Smith, of Kentucky. They had
two children, when he also died ; and in 1810, Jonathan and Henry
Bryan moved their sister and her family to Missouri. She settled on
South Bear creek, in Montgomery county, and died twenty years later.
Her two children by Smith, were named Susan and James. Susan
married a man named King, and James married Susan Ellis.

William Coshow, a native of Wales, married Mary Hughes, an
Irish girl, and, emigrating to America, settled in North Carolina.
He went with Daniel Boone on one of his expeditions to Kentucky,
and was killed by the Indians at the head of Kentucky river. He
had but one child — a son named William. His widow married John
Bryan, several years after the death of her husband, and they came
to St. Charles county in 1800. His son was raised by his step-father
as one of his own children. He served in the war against the In¬
dians, and afterwards married Elizabeth Zumwalt, of St. Charles
county. They had three children: Andrew J., Phoebe A., and
John B., all of whom are still living.

David Darst was born in Shenandoah county, Va., December 17,
1757, and died in St. Charles county, Mo., December 2, 1826. He
married Rosetta Holman, who was born in Maryland, January 13,
1763, and died in Callaway county, Mo., November 13, 1848. She
was buried in a shroud of homespun wool, which she made with her
own hands when she was about middle-aged. Mr. Darst removed
from Virginia to Woodford county, Ky., in 1784, and in 1798 he
left Kentucky with his wife and seven children and settled in
(now) St. Charles county, Mo., on what has since been known as
Darst’ s Bottom. Some of the leading men of Kentucky gave him a
very complimentary letter to the Spanish authorities in St. Louis,
which enabled him to obtain several grants of land for himself and

234

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

children. The names of his children were: Mary, Elizabeth, Absa¬
lom, Isaac, Sarah, Jacob, Samuel, Nancy and David H. Mary mar¬
ried Thomas Smith, of Callaway county, and died ; he then married
her sister Elizabeth. Isaac married Phoebe, daughter of Jonathan
Bryan. Sarah and Samuel died before they were grown. Jacob
lived in Texas, and was killed by the side of Col. Crockett, at the
battle of Alamo. Nancy married Col. Patrick Ewing, of Callaway
county. David H. married Mary Thompson, and lived and died in
Darst’s Bottom. They had 13 children: Violet, Rosetta H., Mar¬
garet R., Elizabeth I., Nancy E., Harriet, Mary T., David A.,
Lorena, Henry, Martha, William and Julia. Mr. Darst was a very
systematic man, and for many years kept a book in which he
recorded every birth and death and all the important incidents that
occurred in the community. This book would have been very inter¬
esting, but it was destroyed by fire several years ago.

James Fulkerson, of Germany, came to America and settled first in
North Carolina, and afterwards removed to Virginia. He had twelve
children: Peter, James, John, Thomas, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac,
William, Polly, Catharine, Hannah and Mary. Isaac married Re¬
becca Neil, of Lee county, Va., in 1799, and came to Missouri and
settled in Darst’s Bottom in 1814. He served in the State Senate one
term. He had ten children: Willian N., James P., Virginia, Bath-
sheba V., Frederick, Catharine H., Isaac D., Margaret A., Peter H.
and Jacob. William N. married Ellen Christy, and they had nine
children. James P. married Louisa Stanbark. Virginia married Ca-
leb Berty. Bathsheba married Judge John A. Burt. Frederick
married Ann Miller. Catharine H. married Shapely Ross. Isaac mar¬
ried Mary Wheeler. Margaret A. married Gordon H. Waller, who was
judge of St. Charles county court one term. Peter H. married
Martha V. Montague, and they had fifteen children. Jacob died in
infancy.

David Frazier, of Virginia, settled in St. Charles county in
1804. He had two sons, Jerry and James. Jerry was killed in
Virginia. James married Jane Anderson, of Pennsylvania, who was
of Irish birth, and settled in St. Charles countv in 1804. They had
twelve children : David, James, John, William, Thomas, Martin,
Sally, Elizabeth, Holly, Catharine, Jane and Abigail. David married
Elizabeth Fry, and lived in Virginia. James married Polly Crow.
John was married first to Mary Shuck, and after her death he mar¬
ried Sally T. Hall. The latter was a grand-daughter of Alexander
Stewart, who was captured by the British during the Revolutionary

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

235

War and taken to England, where he was kept in prison one year.
When he returned he found all his property advertised for sale, his
friends supposing him dead.

Daniel Iman and his wife, who maiden name was Barbara Alkire,
settled in St. Charles in 1818. They had nine children: Washington,
Adam, Isaac, Daniel, Henry, Solomon, Katy, Mary and Mahala.
Washington married Louisa Griggs. Adam was married first to Nancy
Hancock, and after her death, he married Virginia Thornhill. Dan¬
iel was married first to Elizabeth Hancock, second to Martha A. Mc-
Cutcheon, and third to Ann Brittle. Mary married John Urf, and
Mahala married Benjamin FI. Hancock.

John Johnson, of England, settled in Albemarle county, Va., at a
very early date. He had two sons, Bailey and James. Bailey married a
Miss Moreland, and they had nine children : Beall, Susan W., Bailey,
Jr., John, Pinckard, Smith, George, Charles and Presley. Bailey
and Charles were the only ones who left Virginia. George was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War. He married Elizabeth Blackmore,
of Virginia, and they had nine children: Elizabeth, Hannah, Catha¬
rine, Nancy, Charles, Edward, George, Bailey and Jemima. Nancy,
Edward, Catharine and Jemima died in childhood, in Virginia. Charles
was married twice, first to Rachel Woodward, and second to Harriet
Ficklin, both of Virginia. By his first wife he had three children,
and by the second four. In 1836 he bought Nathan Boone’s farm and
settled in St. Charles county, Mo., but in 1846 he removed to Illinois.
Elizabeth married Rodman Kenner, who settled in St. Charles county
in 1834. Hannah married Joseph B. Stallard, who settled in St.
Charles county in 1835. George S. married Mrs. Eliza A. Hunter,
whose maiden name was Gautkins. She was a daughter of Edward
Gautkins and Mary Oty, of Bedford county, Va. Bailey was mar¬
ried twice, first to Catharine Forshea, and after her death to Nancy
Campbell.

. In 1834, Rodman Kenner, of Virginia, came to Missouri, and set¬
tled near Missouriton, on Darst’s Bottom, where he lived one
year, and then moved out to the Boone’s Lick road and opened a
hotel where the town of Pauldingville now stands. Mr. Kenner was
a first-class landlord, and his house became a noted resort during the
palmy days of staging on the Boone’s Lick road. Col. Thomas H.
Benton and many other well known and leading men of earlier times
often stopped there; and, in fact, no one ever thought of passing'
Kenner’s without taking a meal or sleeping one night in his excellent
beds. Travelers always had a good time there, and would travel

236

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

hard two or three days in order to reach the house in time to
stay all night. Mr. Kenner made a fortune, and died in June, 1876,
in the eighty-sixth year of his age. (See “Anecdotes and Adven¬
tures.”)

Walter Stallard and wife, Hannah Pitts, were both of Virginia.
Their son, Randolph, married Mary Bullett, of Culpeper county,
Va., and they had seven children: Susan, Maria, Lucy, Thomas,
Joseph B., Randolph and Harrison. Joseph B. was a soldier in the
War of 1812. He married Hannah Johnson, and settled in St. Charles
in 1836. They had seven children: Maria L., Mary E., Amanda
M., Mortimer, Adelia, Benjamin H. and George R., who died young.
Mary E. married B. H. Boone; Maria L. married J. C. Luckett ;
Amanda M., A. S. Clinton; Adelia, Col. Thomas Moore, and Morti¬
mer, Amy Craig.

AUGUSTA.

The town of Augusta is located on the Missouri river, in Femme
Osage township. The town was originally called Mount Pleasant,
and was laid out in 1836 by Leonard Harold, a Pennsylvania Dutch¬
man, who came to the locality immediately after the War of 1812,
through which he had served as a soldier. The population is largely
German, the people being exceedingly thrifty and prosperous. The
town has no railroad communication, the shipping business being done
by river. Up to 1872 Augusta had a very fine landing under the hills
that front the Missouri, but during that year the river changed its
current, filled in the main channel opposite the town, and the place
became practically shut off from the stream, so that the channel is now
on the opposite extreme of the bottom land, on the Franklin county
side. The landing is now twelve miles down the river, from which
point all supplies are hauled by wagon. In the halcyon days of the
town the warehouse of Frederick Wencker was the general headquar¬
ters for all trading, and he was the leading spirit of the place.

Harold was for many years monarch of all he surveyed, living alone
on the village site. In 1835 the emigration of Germans began, and
among the first to locate there were Louis Aversman, Conrad Hospers,
"William Hospers and Louis Hospers.

In 1837 Julius and Conrad Mallinckrodt came from Westphalia,
Germany, and located about one mile west of Augusta. The elder
brother, Julius, shortly afterward platted and laid out the town of
Dartmund, which he named for his native city in Germany. The
place was killed in its infancy; in fact, soon after Mr. Mallinckrodt

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

237

had sold many of the town lots, and before building operations began,
the ever changing waters of the Missouri swept around to the oppo¬
site side of the broad bottom lands and left the village without a river
front. This unfortunate circumstance nipped the embryo city in the
bud, and the property again came into the possession of its original
owner. The property platted as Dartmund is about one mile west of
Augusta, in the low lands formed by a creek emptying into the Mis¬
souri.

Conrad Mallinckrodt, who is yet alive, taught the first public
school ever opened in St. Charles county. The school was in Augusta.
Mr. Mallinckrodt is a highly educated and intelligent man,
whose influence and ability has long been acknowledged wherever he
is known. He is an accomplished civil engineer and surveyor, and
through his efforts many of the best turnpike roads in the county
were laid out and completed. He also perfected the final village plat
of Augusta in 1858. Among the achievements of his long and useful
career, and to which he refers with pardonable pride, is the fact that
under his tuition and careful instruction Judge Arnold Krekel, of the
United States Circuit Court at Kansas City, acquired the education
that has so distinguished him in his position as a scholar, a juror, and
a valuable member of society.

In 1840 it was di^overed that the industry of wine growing could
be made a lucrative one, and for about ten years many systematic
trials were made to determine the adaptability of the soil for that pur¬
pose. In 1850 regularly staked vineyards began to make their ap¬
pearance, and now the business has become one of the leading in¬
dustries of the community. The wine product is very large, and
great pains have been taken to establish and maintain a grade of
purity not excelled among the native wine growers of the country.
Large quantities are yearly shipped to Chicago and St. Louis, and yet
the business may be said to be in its infancy.

In 1856, while the temperance laws were being enforced in the
State, a number of German residents of Augusta, who found it impos¬
sible without interruption to enjoy themselves around the wine table
in the manner common to their native land, took advantage of an ice
blocade in the river to organize a musical and social society, which has
since become one of the most prosperous associations of its character
in the West. Thev erected a tent on the ice, and here over the
muddy waters of the Missouri, on January 13, 1856, organized the
“ Augusta Harmonie Verein.” The following thirteen comprised the
original membership : John Fuhr, Frederick Wencker, Ferdinand

238

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Koch, Charles F. Tieman, Berthold Hoffman, Henry Vogt, Eberhard
Fuhr, George H. Mindrop, Fritz Brinckmeyer, Bernard Folleilius,
Julius Heldenber£, Dr. C. L. Gerling and John Koch. For a Ions:
time the society was compelled to use a flat boat on the river as a
place of meeting, and for twelve years it existed without a charter.
However, in 1867, the association was incorporated under the State
law, still preserving its original name. In 1869 a plat of land was
purchased in an eligible location in the town, and a hall was erected
at a cost of $2,000.

The society was formed for the purposes of social intercourse, the
culture of vocal and instrumental music, and also to afford its mem¬
bers opportunities for study and instruction, through the medium of
a carefully selected library, which now contains nearly three thousand
volumes. The society is, and always has been, exceedingly pros¬
perous. It has come to embrace all the leading German residents of
the vicinity. Its entertainments are of a very high order of merit,
the recurring summer night musicales, and the occasional hops during
the long winter evenings being red-letter events in the history of the
town.

Augusta has its complement of churches, excellent schools, fine
society, and being populated by an industrious class of people, its
isolation from railroad communication is compensated in the spirit of
harmony and content that seems to pervade among its residents.

FEMME OSAGE POST-OFFICE.

The location of Femme Osage village is quite romantic. The
small collection of houses nestled among the trees in the valley of
the Femme Osage creek, surrounded by high, wooded hills, gives to
the place the appearance of some old Swiss village, and renders it
especially attractive to the traveler who loves the wild and pictur¬
esque beauties of nature. A short distance from the little cluster of
houses is located the old stone house erected by Nathan Boone, in
which his renowned father, Col. Daniel Boone, passed his latter days.

On the side of a hill, about 200 yards from the main road, which
winds along the crooked banks of the clear and quiet stream, stands
an old weather-beaten and moss-covered Evangelical Church. It is
built of stone in a primitive style of architecture, and is said to be one
of the oldest structures in the countv.

A blacksmith and wagon shop, a shoe shop and one small general
store, comprise all the business houses of the place, most of the trading
being done at Augusta, distant five miles. To the valley of the Femme

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

239

Osage is attached special interest, for along this stream, and over the
hills which girdle it, were favorite haunts of the great hunter Boone,
who came to the locality before the Indians took their departure, and
who must have here found a perfect fulfillment of his idea of rugged
and natural wildness and solitude.

The village of Femme Osage can not become a large and thriving

O O C5 53

town, owing to its location, but the natural beauties surrounding it,
and the interesting historical reminiscences of its earlier settlers, will
ever attract and please the historian and antiquarian.

PLEASANT HILL M. E. CHURCH SOUTH.

This church, in Darst’s Bottom, was organized in 1856, and a brick
church was built the same year, at a cost of $3,000. The constituent
members were D. H. Darst, W. W. Parsons, P. Ashy, Emily Schoat,
Phoebe Parsons and John Frazier. The present membership num¬
bers 12. The names of the pastors who have served this congregation
at different times are : Revs. B. H. Spencer, J. H. Prichett, H. Brown,
Bro. Loving, P. Vandiver, Henry Roy, S. S. Woody and W. A. Jones.
There are 30 scholars in the Sunday-school, the superintendent being
George L. D. Keller.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JAMES BIGELOW

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Justice of the Peace and Attorney in Justices’ Courts,

Post-office, Augusta).

’Squire Bigelow, a large land-holder and leading farmer and stock-
raiser of this county, is also a man of prominence in public affairs in
his part of the county. He has held the office of justice of the peace
for over 20 years, and also does considerable practice as an attorney
in justices’ courts. His long experience as a magistrate and his thor¬
ough familiarity with the laws germane to justice’s jurisdiction and
practice, as well as his sterling good sense and judgment and influence
and force as an advocate, render him a representative in courts of this
class by those who have causes pending, of more than ordinary value.
Indeed, taking these circumstances into consideration, united with the
just influence he has by reason of his long residence, thorough ac¬
quaintance and high standing in this part of the county, it will be safe
to say that he makes a better and more successful attorney than the
average of lawyers in the circuit courts, for leading and prominent
lawyers care but little for justices’ practice, and therefore soon be-

240

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

come rusty in it, like an advanced professor in a college becomes rusty
in the elementary branches ; whilst the lawyers who are anxious for
practice in justices’ courts are generally men too wooden-headed to
hold a place in the circuit court, and therefore incapable of learning
or doing anything anywhere. A good level-headed justice of the
peace of any considerable experience can knock such attorneys out
of time every round in a magistrate’s court, or anywhere else for that
matter, where good common sense counts for anything. The ’Squire
has a good practice in this department of the law, and has established
an enviable reputation as a competent drawer of papers and tryer of
cases in court. His farm contains 930 acres, or rather he has that
much land, of which the homestead includes 320 acres. His place is
well improved and he is independent. He was born in St. Charles
county April 22, 1822, and was a son of Moses and Parthenia (Bryan)
Bigelow, his father from Pennsylvania, but his mother from Kentucky.
They were married in St. Charles county, the father having come
here in 1820, and the mother two years before, at the age of 7 years.
The father served for over 20 years as justice of the peace, and died
in 1864, aged 77. The ’Squire was reared on his father’s farm,
and has never been out of the State except once, when he walked over
the bridge at St. Louis, just in order to say that he had traveled
abroad and seen something of the world. He has found St. Charles
county, however, good enough for him and proposes to spend the rest
of his days here. He was married in 1845 to Miss Elizabeth M.
Hopkins, formerly of Virginia. She was taken from him by death,
however, some years afterwards, leaving two children, George H.
and Ella, the wife of Benjamin Silver. Both of the children by his
first wife now reside in Henry county. To his second wife, formerly
Miss Amanda Hopkins, he was married February 20, 1861. She was
a sister to his first wife, and is also deceased. She left three chil¬
dren, Sarah M., Thomas M. and Emma. His present wife was a Miss
Malinda A. Callawav before her marriage, a daughter of William B.
Callaway, one of the early settlers of St. Charles county. They
were married at St. Louis December 18, 1871. The ’Squire and Mrs.
Bigelow, his present wife, have five children, Viola, Gleta, Morgan,
Dale (a daughter) and Marvin M. He and wife are both church
members, he of the M. E. Church and she of the Presbyterian denom¬
ination. He is also a member of the Masonic order.

THEODOR BORBERG

(Vintager, Farmer and Justice of the Peace, New Melle).

Dr. Theodor Borberg, the father of the subject of this sketch, was
of one of the better untitled families of Hesse Darmstadt, and before
coming to this country was a prominent druggist of Nidda and also
mayor of that city. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Grascurth,
was of a well respected family of Bavaria. They came to America in
1857, and located in St. Charles county, where Dr. Borberg was
engaged in the practice of his profession among his German-American

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

241

neighbors until his death. He died here in 1877. His wife preceded
him to the grave by seven years. There are two others of their chil¬
dren living besides Theodor, Jr., the subject of this sketch. Theodor
Borberg, Jr., was born at Nidda, Germany, October 21, 1838. He
was, therefore, 19 years of age when he came to this country with his
parents in 1857. He was educated in Germany and also served an
apprenticeship of three years under a merchant at Giessen, as is the
custom in that country for young men to do who expect to make
merchants of themselves. After coming to this country he clerked
in a store in Warren county, this State, for some four years. He
then enlisted in the Union service July, 1861, in Co. B, Third Missouri
infantry, for three years, taking part in the battles of Pea Ridge,
Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., and numerous others. After the war he
resumed clerking, which he followed until 1867, when he engaged in
grape growing and making wine, and also in farming. He has ever
since continued in these pursuits. For several years he held the office
of constable and now is serving his second term as justice of the
peace. In 1868 he was married to Miss Emma Kruse, a daughter of
Julius H. and Minnie Kruse. They have two children living: Alma
E. and Eugene Julius. Theodor is deceased.

JOHN B. COSHOW

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Hamburg).

Mr. Coshow’s father, a pioneer settler of Missouri and a gallant old
Indian fighter in the early days of this State, a companion in arms with
and a friend of Daniel Boone, Callaway, Beshears and Dodge, the path¬
finders for civilization in this then wild and weird region, came to St.
Charles county from Kentucky in 1799 in company with his mother
and step-father, Jonathan Bryan, his father having been killed by In¬
dians at the head of the Kentucky river during Armour’s campaign,
when J. B. Coshow’s father was but nine years old. This family were
among the first who settled in this county. Mr. Bryan saw much hard
service in the early Indian wars of that period, and it wTas his courage
and his industry that contributed to drive away the Indians and clear
away the forests so that this might be the abode of a prosperous, popu¬
lous and enlightened people. He lived to a good old age and reared
a worthy family of children. Mr. C. finally yielded his body to the
earth again and his immortal part to heaven in 1866. He was mar¬
ried in this county in 1813 to Miss Elizabeth Zumwalt, formerly of
Virginia. They reared three children, all of whom are living. Of
these John B. Coshow, the subject of this sketch, was born in this
county October 5, 1819. He was reared in those early days to hard
work on a farm, and had little school advantages. Mr. Coshow
has followed farming continuously from youth, and has become well-
to-do in life. He has 350 acres of good land, 300 of which are
well improved. He was married to Miss Arthusie Bowen in 1843.
ghe died in 1866, leaving four children, all of whom are living:
^Villiam T., Mary E., John A. and Teny M.

242

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

HAMPSON S. CLAY, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Augusta).

Dr. Clay is a native Missourian, born in the vicinity of Augusta,
May 4, 1848. His father was Matthew A. Clay, also born and reared in
this county, and his mother a Miss Amanda Miller, originally from Rap¬
pahannock county, Va., but reared in St. Charles county, this State.
Mr. Clay’s grandfather located in this county from Ireland in 1800,
and Matthew A. Clay, his son, was born and reared in the same house
where the subject of this sketch was born and now resides. The farm
is the old Clay homestead settled by the grandfather about the begin¬
ning of the present century. Matthew A. Clay became a very success¬
ful farmer and the owner of a number of slaves. At one time he was
one of the leading tax-payers of the county, and, indeed, was in the
midst of a successful career at the time of his death, in the summer of
1860, being then in the very meridian of life. Dr. Clay was the first
son in a family of five children, his younger brother, James M., being
now a resident of Pike county. The Doctor was educated at the St.
Charles public schools and at Westminster College, and later he began
the study of medicine under Dr. John S. Moore, of St. Louis, and
afterwards took a regular course at the Missouri Medical College, where
he graduated with the highest honors of his class, in 1873. He then
located on Darst Bottom in this county and engaged in the practice of
his profession. In 1881 he removed to Augusta, having previously,
however, been in practice in this vicinity. He has built up a large
practice and has been very successful in his profession, both in the
treatment of cases and in a material point of view. April 14, 1874,
Dr. Clay was married to Miss Celia Stumpf, of this county, and a lady
of superior intelligence and culture. She was educated at Lindenwood
College. February 18, 1879, Dr. Clay had the misfortune to lose his
wife, who passed quietly away from this world of care and sorrow
after a long and painful illness. The Doctor is a member of the Au¬
gusta Harmonie Society.

JAMES P. CRAIG

(Farmer and Trader, Post-office, Schleursburg, Mo.).

Mr. Craig’s parents, Parkerson and Isabella, were born, raised and
married near Berryville in Clark county, Ya. The father was born
June 10, 1808, and the mother December 23, 1820. They were mar¬
ried November 9, 1837, and moved to Missouri in November, 1843.
Settling on a farm they bought on Femme Osage creek, they lived
there respected by all, and reared a family of six sons and one daughter.
The father died on his farm March 2, 1875 ; the mother died March
19, 1877. Their oldest son, Josiah Craig, married Miss Mary E. Marsh
and is living on a farm in this county. The subject of this sketch is
the second son. John W., the third son, married Miss Missouri A.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

243

Livergood of this county, and is now a farmer in Henry county.
Craven T., the fourth son, is unmarried and a farmer, living on the
farm, and on which he was born. Lewis B., the fifth son, is a graduate
of medicine and surgery of the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis,
Mo. He is practicing his profession in Salem, Dent county, Mo. He
is a prosperous young physician and is one of the best skilled surgeons
in Southwest Missouri. He married Miss Drusa J. Roberts, of Salem,
Mo. Eben C. Craig, the sixth son, is unmarried and is living on the farm
with his brother, C. T., of which they are owners. Emily J., the only
sister, is living with her brothers on the old homestead ; she is an in¬
telligent and amiable young lady and has a host of friends. The
brothers and sister, like their parents, are highly respected by the
better class, and are known by their acquaintances as genuine Virginia
stock, that ask for nothing but what is right and submit to nothing
that is wrong. James P. Craig, the subject of this sketch, has a good
education and has a thorough knowledge of business, as he is a gradu¬
ate of a commercial college in St. Louis. He subsequently studied
law two years, but afterwards gave it up ; he is now a notary public,
farmer, etc. His opinion on matters of State are not to be despised
and he says he always was, is now, and ever will be a Democrat, if
there’s none left but himself, as he believes the principles of Democ¬
racy the only guarantee of a just and honest government.

HERMAN C. DAMMANN

("Dealer in General Merchandise, Augusta) .

Born in the State of New York October 10, 1852, Mr. Dammann
was the son of William Dammann and Frederike (Berger) Dammann,
both formerly of Germany. The same year of his birth the family re¬
moved to St. Louis, where the father was engaged in business for a
number of years, or until his death, which occurred in 1864. The
same year the mother with her family of children removed to Augusta,
in this county, where Herman C. grew up and learned the carpenter’s
trade. After working two years at his trade young Dammann ob¬
tained a clerkship in a store, and followed clerking here for a
number of years. In 1881 Mr. Dammann commenced business for
himself, and bought out his old employer. He has since been in
business on his own account. Mr. Dammann has a good store, em¬
bracing a large and well selected stock of general merchandise. He
is doing an excellent business. Mr. Dammann is still unmarried,
but keeps house, his mother having charge of the home affairs. He
is a member of the Harmonie Society, and is quite a popular young
man, and has a liberal patronage.

ERNST DIECKMANN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Femme Osage) .

Among the substantial farmers and well-respected citizens of Femme
Osage township is the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Dieckmann

244

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

was born in this county February 6, 1840. His father was John
Dieckmann, who came here from Germany in an early day. The father
was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1857. The mother, whose
maiden name was Johanna F. Arms, also from Germany, died in
1876. They had eight children, seven of whom are living. Ernst
Dieckmann received a good ordinary common-school education as he
grew up, and being reared on a farm very naturally became a farmer
by occupation. He has since followed farming, and has nearly 400
acres of land. December 3, 1863, he was married to Miss Caroline
Filling, a daughter of Louis and Kate Filling, formerly of Germany.
Seven children are the fruits of their married life : Oliver, Lavenia,
Paulina, Arthur, Ida, Henry and Emma. Ella is deceased.

FRANCIS L. FLUESMIEIR,

(Farmer, Post-office, Schluersburg).

Mr. Fluesmieir, a substantial farmer of Femme Osage township,
who owns a good place of over 200 acres, was a son of Henry and
Villaminie Donettie Fluesmieir, both originally from Germany. His
father, Henry Fluesmieir, served under Napoleon I. during the latter’s
great continental wars, and afterwards came to this country in 1836.
He became a farmer of St. Charles county and died here at a good old
age, May 29, 1872. Francis L., the subject of this sketch, has his
father’s saber and pistol that the latter carried throughout the Napo¬
leonic Wars. Mr. F.’s mother died in this country, in 1867. They
have three living children. Francis L. Fluesmieir was born in this
county, October 2, 1839. Reared on his father’s farm he too became
a farmer when he grew up, and has since followed that occupation.
In 1867 he was married to Miss Catherine E. Ashby, a daughter of
Benjamin P. and Mary A. Ashby, formerly from Clark county, Va.,
who came to St. Charles county in 1843. They had only one child,
which was born January 30, 1844. Mary A. Ashby was born July 5,
1825, and died November 5, 1844. Benjamin P. Ashby died May
8, 1880, having been born April 30, 1810. Mr. and Mrs. F. have
five children: Elihu, Statella, Luella, Bruce and Mary D. Mrs. F.
is a member of the M. E. Church South.

JOHN FUHR,

(Wine Grower, and Leader of Cornet Band, Augusta) .

Mr. Fuhr is a native of Germany, and was born October 21, 1820.
His father was Henry Fuhr, and his mother’s maiden name Christina
Menhardt. They came to America in 1837, when John was 17 years
of age, and the same year settled in Warren county, where the father
followed farming until his death. John received a good education in
Germany, having attended school nine years regularly before
coming to this country. He made a study of music, and after
leaving Germany, attended school at St. Louis for a time. He came
to Augusta in 1848 and, although an accomplished musician, there

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

245

being little demand for musical talent in that early day, he followed
farming. However, he kept up his music by practice, and in 1855 was
instrumental in organizing the Harmonie Dewcori society at this place,
of which he has been a prominent member ever since. It was first
organized as a singing school and afterwards a cornet band gesellschaft
was formed, of which he became the leader. He has been the leader of
the band ever since, and it practices regularly twice every week. All
are thorough musicians, and the band has the reputation of being one
of the best in this part of the State. The career of the society has been
a very successful one. It owns a handsome park in which is a fine
music hall, and the society is regularly incorporated under the laws of
the State. Formerly Mr. Fuhr carried on the manufacture of boots
and shoes quite extensively, and worked from ten to fifteen men. Now,
however, the protective tariff upheld by Republican rule has had the
effect to place the boot and shoe manufacturing industry, as almost every
other industry has been placed, in the hands of a few large manufac¬
turing capitalists, who have crowded all men of limited means out of
the different manufacturing industries, and forced them to go to work
at daily labor in large factories, or to engage in other pursuits. Mr.
F. makes a few boots and shoes yet, but does nothing in this line at
all to what he formerly did. He has a good vineyard, which the pro¬
tective tariff, and the men made rich by it can’t crowd him out of.
He makes about 2,800 barrels of excellent wine every year. He is a
married man. His wife was a Miss Caroline Schaefer, and they were
married at St. Louis in August, 1845. They have had six children,
all of whom are deceased, namely: Pauline, who died in 1869, aged
19 ; Eda, who died August 10, 1884, aged 30 ; and Amelia, who died
after becoming the wife of Conrad Mallinckrodt of this county. The
others died in infancy.

FRANCIS R. GANNA WAY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Femme Osage).

Mr. Gannaway, a leading farmer of Femme Osage township, is a
native Virginian, born in Buchanan county, August 25, 1826. The
family came originally from Ireland; but Mr. G.’s father, Edwin
Gannaway, removed from Virginia to St. Louis county, as early as
1831. He died in St. Charles countv in 1841. Mr. Gannawav’s
mother, whose maiden name was Alice Fandin, died in the county
of St. Louis. After her death the father was married a second
time, when Miss Frances McDearmon became his wife. She was also
from Virginia and died in St. Charles county in 1841. By the first
marriage there were three children, two of whom are living, one be-
ing the subject of this sketch ; and by the second marriage there were
six children, three of whom are living. Francis R. Gannaway was
principally reared in St. Louis and St. Charles counties and was
brought up to the occupation of farming. In 1850 he was married in
this county to Miss Martha Finney, daughter of Milton Finney, for¬
merly of Virginia. Three children are the fruits of this union : Milton,

246

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Edmund and Frank. In 1873 Mr. Gannaway had the misfortune to
lose his wife. She was a lady much beloved as a neighbor and highly
esteemed by all. An affectionate wife and a devoted mother, she was
loved in her own family with more than ordinary tenderness. Mr.
Gannaway has an excellent farm of 300 acres and is comfortably situ¬
ated.

HENRY W. GERDEMANN,

(Postmaster and Retired Merchant and Farmer, Cappeln).

This old and respected citizen of St. Charles county is a native of
Germany, born in Wester-Cappeln, December 16, 1811. His father
was J. Henry Gerdemann and his mother’s maiden name was Catha¬
rine Elizabeth. The father died there in 1833, and in 1838 the mother,
with her family of seven children, came to the United States, Henry
W. and John H., a younger brother, having come to America in 1833.
They located in St. Charles county. She died here in 1844. They
had nine children, all of whom came to America, but only four of
whom are now living. Henry W. Gerdemann received a good educa¬
tion in his native language at the common school of Wester-Cappeln.
Seven years after coming to this country he was located at St. Louis,
and in 1841 he bewail farming and merchandising in St. Charles
county. He had a successful career in these pursuits and retired from
merchandising a few years ago. He has a fine farm of nearly 400
acres of land. He is now postmaster at Cappeln, an office he has
held for some time past. He has also held the office of justice of the
peace. January 27, 1837, he was married to Miss Regina E. Schroer,
a daughter of Garrett and Regina Schroer from Germany. ’Squire
and Mrs. Gerdemann have five children : William F. Henry T.,
George H., August H. and ReginaE., nowMrs. H. G. Karrenbrock.
The ’Squire and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

HENRY GROENEMANN

(Farmer, Post-office, Femme Osage).

Mr. Groenemann was born in Germany, January 13, 1823, and when
11 years of age was brought to this country by his parents, Adolphus
and Catherine (Boermann) Groenemann, who immigrated to St.
Charles county in 1834. The father died here in 1863, and the mother
in 1877. Henry grew to manhood in this county and learned the
occupation of farming as he grew up. In 1851 he was married to
Miss Wilhelmina Heymann, from Germany. She died in 1865, and
afterwards he was married to Miss Loretta Brugemann, also originally
from Germany. By his first wife there are five children : Minnie,
Caroline, Hans, Louisa and Fritz. By his second wife there are five
children: August, Eddie, Emma, William and Martha. Mr. Groene-
mann is an enterprising farmer and has a comfortable homestead.
He is a well respected citizen and commands general respect and
esteem .

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

247

GEORGE H. GRUMKE

(Retail Dealer in Liquors and Newspaper Correspondent, Augusta).

Mr. Grumke was born and reared in St. Charles county and had
little or no school advantages to speak of as he grew up. Not only
that, but he has had the additional disadvantage of being a cripple from
youth, the result of a serious spinal injury he received. Notwith¬
standing these drawbacks, however, he has succeeded in making his
way through the world with good success thus far, and has become a
man of good general education and of popularity and influence in the
community. He is regarded as a man of information and is recog¬
nized as something of a leader in this part of the county. He has
been the regular correspondent of one of the St. Charles papers from
Augusta, as, indeed, he is yet, and his letters have attracted wide
and favorable attention throughout the county. Mr. Grumke was a
son of Henry and Katarina (Hackman) Grumke, both formerly of
Germany. His father came over to this country when a young man,
in 1829. He was subsequently married here to Miss Hackman by
’Squire Moses Bigelow, father of James Bigelow, whose sketch
appears in this volume. After his marriage Mr. Grumke entered land
and improved a farm in this county, where he lived until his death.
George H. was the second of their family of nine children. On
account of his misfortune in being a cripple he learned the tailor’s
trade, at which he worked until 1858. He then engaged in merchan¬
dising at Schleursburg, where he sold goods for about ten years and
until his removal to Augusta in 1872. Here he bought property and
has since been engaged in the saloon business. He keeps a good,
orderly house and has a liberal share of the patronage in and around
Augusta. In the fall of 1860 Mr. Grumke was married to Miss Eliza
Sitz. She died in 1868. There were two children, both deceased in
infancy. May 27, 1869, Mr. Grumke was married to Miss Eliza Vogt,
a daughter of George and Helena Vogt, formerly of Germany. They
have five children: Helena, George H., Fritz, Laura and Gustavus.
Two are deceased : Augusta and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. G. are mem¬
bers of the Evangelical Church.

PROF. JOHN A. GUETLICH

(Principal of the Public Schools, Augusta) .

For 22 years continuously Prof. Geutlich has presided over the
school of which he now has charge as principal. The gratifying
progress pupils have made from year to year under his instruction,
the general success of the school and the unbroken confidence and
appreciation the people have shown for him through so many years,
speak more for his reputation as an educator and his character as a
man than anything that could be said to his credit in the present
sketch. His record in this school is his greatest eulogy, compared to

248

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

the eloquence of which the mere words of a biographer are as only
the idle winds that blow. Prof. Guetlich is a German by nativity,
and as he grew up in his native country received a well-grounded,
substantial solid education, such as that country is noted for. His
education was concluded, so far as school instruction was concerned,
in the teachers’ or Normal school of his native graffchcift. He was
born in 1826, and continued in Germany after he attained his
majority until 1854, when he came to this country. Here he located
in Warren county, Mo., where he gave private instrucion in Ger¬
man. Two years later he located in St. Charles county and took
charge of a public school in Cappeln, which he continued to conduct
with success for a period of six years, at the end of which time, in
1862, he was elected principal of the Augusta public school. So
well pleased have been pupils and patrons with his conduct ot this
school, that no one to succeed him has ever been thought of. Every
year he has kept a 10-months’ school, being one of the few public
schools of the State which have been kept running continuously 10
months in the }^ear ever since the war. Prof. Guetlich is a man of
culture and refinement, pleasant, agreeable manners, interesting and
instructive in conversation, and much prized as a member of any
intelligent, self-respecting social circle which is favored with his pres¬
ence.

HERMANN HENRY CONRAD HAFERKAMP

(Farmer, Retail Dealer in Liquors, Vineyardist Wine-maker, Augusta).

Mr. H. is one of the many energetic, successful, self-made German-
American farmers and business men of St. Charles county, who have
contributed so large a part to the growth and development and the
prosperity of this county. He was born in Hanover, April 7, 1834,
and the following year was brought to America by his parents, John
Hermann Haferkamp and wife, nee Helena Sephus, who settled here,
near Augusta, where they made their permanent home. The father died
in 1854, but the mother is still living, at the advanced age of 84
years. Hermann Henry Conrad Haferkamp grew to manhood in this
country, where he received a good common-school education in the
English and German languages. After he became large enough to
help on the farm he assisted on the place for several years, and then,
in about 1860, built a business house at Augusta and engaged in the
saloon business. He continued here with success for about five years
and then sold out and bought a farm. He continued to farm for about
ten years after this and also planted a vineyard on some five acres of
ground. He carried on farming and raising grapes and making wine
until 1877, when he came back and started another saloon. He has
been very successful and now has three good farms in the vicinity of
Augusta, besides valuable town property. His landed estate numbers
over 700 acres. Besides attending to his saloon he farms to some ex¬
tent with hired help, and superintends his vineyard, but has his lands
principally rented out. In 1855 Mr. Haferkamp was married to Miss

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

249

Regina Rother, of this county, but of German descent. His first wife
died, leaving him five children : Bettie, the wife of Henry Beverburg ;
Gustavus, Ida, Theodore and Eddie. Mr. Haferkamp’s second wife
was a Miss Mary Englelage before her marriage. They had two
children, Emma and Hubert. His last wife was a Miss Mary Meyer
before marriage. They have two children, one boy and one girl.
Mr. H. has held several local offices and is one of the highly respected
citizens of Augusta.

JOHN B. HAYS

(Farmer and Miller, Post-office, Schleursburg) .

In 1797 Mr. Hays’ father, Daniel Hays, who was a grandson of
Daniel Boone, came to St. Charles county from Kentucky in company
with his grandfather, the brave old pioneer and Indian fighter. It
was about the second trip that the hero of the pioneer time of Ken¬
tucky and Missouri made to this State. The grandson, Daniel Hays,
who was named for his grandfather, was then a mere youth, but he
came of a stock that had the courage to face any hardship or danger,
and he passed through many of both in this then pew country. Like
his grandfather, he was a fearless Indian fighter, and as vigilant and
dangerous an enemy with the rifle as the red man had to meet. He
took part in many rencounters and bloody frays with the Indians until
they were driven out of the country after the War of 1812. He was
one of the most fearless volunteers in that war, and was twice wounded
during its short but bloody record. He was shot in the neck by an
Indian who took dead aim at his head, but proved not to be as good
a marksman as the pale face would have been in similar circum¬
stances. The ball lodged in his neck where it could not be extracted
without fatal results, and he carried it with him to the grave. He
died in this county in 1866. The other wound he received was a
painful wound in the knee from a rifle ball. He was a substantial
farmer of this county, and also followed milling for many years.
During the Indian depredations in Missouri he commanded a com¬
pany of volunteers, styled private men. Capt. Hays became famous
throughout the West for his daring and fearless dash throughout the
war. He was married in Warren county in early manhood to Miss
Mary Bryan, a daughter of David Bryan, a pioneer of that county.
She survived until 1867, the year following bis death. He had twelve
children, only two of whom are now living. John B. Hays, the
subject of this sketch, was boru in this county December 31, 1836.
He was reared to the occupation of farming and milling. In 1862
he enlisted in Capt. Johnson’s company, under Col. Dorsey, in the
Confederate service, and was connected with the service during the
war. He afterwards returned to his native county, and in 1866 he
was married to Miss Julia A. Howell, a daughter of Pizarro and
Maria Howell. They have three children: William J., Coonza L.
and Wade Hampton. Mr. Hays has a good farm of 444 acres.

250

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

GEORGE T. HELDMAN

(Vineyardist and Vintager, Post-office, Augusta).

Mr. Heldman is a native of Prussia, where he was born May 21st,
1843. His father was Carle Heldman and his mother Bettie Falkman
before her marriage. When he was about seven years of age the
family came to America and settled in St. Charles county, where the
father died shortly afterwards. The family then removed into Augusta,
having previously resided in the vicinity of the town. George T.
grew up in Augusta and received the elements of a common-school
education. While still a youth he learned the cooper’s trade and aft¬
erwards worked at his trade in St. Louis, Chicago and Peoria. In the
summer of 1862 he returned home and enlisted in Co. A, Seventeenth
Missouri infantry as a private, but at the end of five months was hon¬
orably discharged on account of physical disability. Returning home,
after he recovered his health, he went to work at his trade again, and
in 1871 went West and followed mining in Montana and Nevada for
a time. In 1872 he went to San Francisco and worked at his trade
there for about six months and then returned home. In 1873 he
bought the place where he now resides. He has a handsome vineyard
of five acres and makes about 4,000 gallons of wine per annum. He
wholesales his wine in St. Louis and Chicago. Mr. Heldman has a fine
wine cellar on his place, which has a capacity for about 10,000 gallons.
His place in well improved, including a good residence and other build¬
ings, and his tract of land contains 22 acres. The grapes that he prin¬
cipally grows are the Concord, the Virginia Seedling and the Elvira
White Wine. In November, 1876, Mr. Heldman was married to Miss
Anna Hundhausen, a daughter of Fritz and Bertie Hundhausen, of
Franklin county. Mr. H.’s wife died April 26, 1879, leaving two
children, Bertha and Fritz. Mr. H.’s sister has since kept house for
him. He is a member of the Augusta Harmonie Society and of the
Augusta school board.

WILLIAM C. HELDMAN

(Vineyardist and Vintager, Post-office, Augusta).

Mr. Heldman learned the carpenter’s trade when a young man, and
worked at it until the outbreak of the Civil War. He then enlisted in
the first call for three months’ men, Union service, and after the ex¬
piration of that term enlisted in the regular three years’ service, be¬
coming a member of a company in the Seventeenth Missouri infantry.
He served until the close of his term, in the fall of 1864. He was
then honorably discharged and returned home, expecting, however,
to re-enlist, but by the explosion of a gun, from which he received, a
severe wound, he was prevented from enlisting again. While in the
service he took part in a number of the leading battles of the war,
among which are called to mind those of Pea Ridge, Chickasaw
Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Mis-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

251

sionary Ridge, Resacca, Dallas (Ga.), Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesburg,
and the battle around Atlanta. In the winter of 1865-66 Mr. Heldman
bought the land where he now resides, soon after which he improved it
for a vineyard. He now makes about 1,500 gallons of wine per
annum, and also has a good orchard on his place. He has an excel¬
lent wine cellar, well supplied with the best wines of home manu¬
facture, and at his kind invitation the writer had the pleasure of
sampling a number of the best wines. Being a judge of thorough
qualifications the writer can truthfully testify that Mr. Heldman has
some of the best wines to be found in the country, for the writer is
not only thoroughly familiar by habits of long and constant use with
all the different brands of domestic and foreign wines to be found in
the markets of the different States, but, also, with all other kinds of
distilled, fermented and spirituous liquors good, bad and indifferent,
in whatever manner or after whatever form made or concocted. To
this day our experience in Mr. Heldman’ s cellar is looked back to as
one of the happiest in all our career in the affairs of life. But
levity aside, the writer must say, in all frankness, that these wines are
of a very superior quality. In the spring of 1874 Mr. Heldman was
married to Miss Matilda Summa, a daughter of Ulrich Summa, of St.
Louis, but formerly of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. H. have four chil¬
dren : Olga, Frida, Fannie and Flora.

HENRY W. KARRENBROCK

(Owner and Proprietor of Cappeln Custom and Merchant Mills).

Mr. Karrenbrock is well known as one of the old and well estab¬
lished millers of this part of the county. He has been connected
with his present mill for nearly twenty years and has made it one of
the successful mills of this vicinity and surrounding country. The
mill was built by himself and his brother, Gerhard W. Karrenbrock,
in 1857, and includes a complete flouring apparatus, corn mill, saw
mill and wool carding machinery. It has done a steady and substan¬
tial business from the first, and improvements have been added to it
from time to time until it is conceded to be one of the valuable mill
properties of the county. Gerhard W. Karrenbrock retired from the
firm in 1884, since which Henry W. Karrenbrock has been the sole
owner and proprietor of the establishment. His father was Henry
Karrenbrock, Sr., a native of Germany, who came to this country
with his family in 1844 and located in St. Charles county. Mr. K.’s
mother was a Miss Elizabeth Langemann, also from Germany. The
father died in 1852, and the mother in 1847. Two of their four chil¬
dren, besides Henry W., are living. He was born in Germany June
19, 1829. He was therefore nearly grown when the family came to
this country. He remained on the farm until 1857 when he began
the milling business with Gerhard W. Karrenbrock, of this county.
He has continued in the milling business most of the time since. In
1853 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Klauestermeier. They have
twelve children : Mary, Henry, Mina, Herman, Lina, Emma, Augusta,

252

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Lizzie, William, Charles, Martha, and Olenda. Mr. and Mrs. Kar-
renbrock are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

G. W. KARRENBROCK

(Owner and Proprietor of the New Melle Custom and Merchant Mills).

Mr. Karrenbrock is a native of Germany, born in Prussia, Febru¬
ary 21, 1835. He was ten years old when he accompanied his parents
to this county, they having emigrated to America in 1844. They
settled in St. Charles county, and here the father died in 1854. The
mother died in 1855. They had six children, four of whom are living.
G. W. Karrenbrock was reared a farmer, but, when 20 years of age,
began to learn the milling business, in which trade he has ever since
continued. In 18(30 he was married in this county to Miss Louisa
Laumeier, a daughter of Henry L. and Mary Laumeier. Mr. and
Mrs. Karrenbrock have eight children : George, Charlie, Meta, Eliza,
Edward, Lydia, Sarah and John. He and wife are members of the
M. E. Church. Mr. Iv. bought the New Melle mill in 1882, and has
since run it with good success. It is an excellent mill, built in 1868,
by Schlottman & Wenke, and has a daily capacity of eighty barrels.
The mill is doing an excellent business, mainly with local custom. It
makes a very superior article of flour, which has attained an enviable
reputation and is in general use throughout this part of the county
and in neighboring localities. Some is also shipped to other markets
and meets with ready sale.

GEORGE L. D. KELLER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser; Post-office, Schleursburg) .

January 12, 1848, was the date of Mr. Keller’s birth, and his
father’s homestead, in Washington county, Va., was the place. H is
father was a blacksmith, and, when George L. D. was still young,
removed to Clinton county, Ill. Seven years later he returned to
Washington county, Va., where he lived until his death. He died
there in 1874. His wife was a Miss Susan Baber before her marriage.
They had a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living. The
mother died in 1877. George L. D. Keller was reared in his native
county in Virginia, and came to St. Charles county in 1868. Subse¬
quently he went to Montgomery county, Kas., and from there he
went back to Virginia in 1871. The following year, however, he re¬
turned to St. Charles countv, where he has since resided and been
engaged in farming. He has a good farm of 119 acres. In 1873 he
was married to Miss Mary, a daughter of Isaac and Jane McCormick.
They have five children, four of whom are living : Daisy, Curtis,
Maude and Alberta. Louis is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. K. are mem¬
bers of the M. E. Church.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

253

CHARLES FRED KNEPEL

(Farmer, Post-office, Schleursburg) .

Charles Fred Knepel, the subject of this sketch, was born in St.
Charles county, Missouri, February 20, 1852. His father was Chris¬
topher Knepel, from Hanover, Germany, a carpenter and farmer by
occupation ; and his mother’s maiden name was Johanna Westendorf,
also from Hanover. They came to this country over forty years ago,
and were married in St. Charles county, in 1848. Their mother died
in 1877. Charles F. is the only one of the children living by this
union. Charles F. Ivnepel was reared in St. Charles county and re¬
ceived a common school education. In 1877 he was married to Miss
Adele Horst, a daughter of William and Louisa Horst. They have
two children : Thura and Vera. Their church preferences are for the
Presbyterian denomination. Mr. Knepel’ s farm contains 289 acres
and is well improved.

HENRY F. KNIPPENBERG

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Femme Osage).

’Squire Knippenberg has led a life of marked industry, which has
been directed by good sound sense and excellent business manage¬
ment, and has resulted in placing him among the substantial property
holders of his township. He has nearly 800 acres of fine land, and one
of the best farms in the township. He was born and reared in this county
and came of a highly respected German-American family. His father,
Henry Knippenberg, came over here as early as 1833 and settled in
St. Charles county, three years later. He married Miss Catherine
Hilderbrand in 1836, and she is yet living. He died in 1878. Henry
F. is the only one of their children living. He was born January 9,
1842, and was reared to a farm life and educated in the common
schools. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in merchandising at
Femme Osage, and followed it for six years. He then resumed farm-
ing and has since continued that occupation. For twelve years he
served as justice of the peace of Femme Osage township. April 28,
1870, he was married to Miss Louisa Otting. They have five chil¬
dren : Oleander, Annie, Henry, Waldend, Delia. Mr. and Mrs. K.
are members of the Evangelical Church. ’Squire Knippenberg is one
of the thorough-going enterprising farmers of Femme Osage town¬
ship, and as a neighbor and citizen commands the respect and confi¬
dence of all who know him.

ISAAC McCORMICK

(Farmer, Post-office, Schluersburg) .

Among the many old and respected Virginia families who settled in
this county during the second quarter of the present century was that

254

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

of which the subject of this sketch was a member. He was born in
Cabell county, W. Va., March 1, 1821, but his parents, Ely and Jane
(Craig) McCormick, were born and reared in Clark county, of the
Old Dominion. From there after their marriage they removed to
Cabell county, W. Va. They had four children, three of ’whom are
living. After the father’s death, in 1838, the mother with her family
of children came to St. Charles countv, Mo. She died here in 1867.
Isaac McCormick, the subject of this sketch, was partly reared in St.
Charles county, and in 1846 was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Darst,
a daughter of David and Mary Darst. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick
have seven children, and three deceased. Those living are: William
H., Ely W., Mary V., now the wife of G. L. D. Keller; Julia F.,
now the wife of M. B. Hayes; Lucy M., now the wife of S. K.
Audrain ; Isaac M. and Georgia A. Mr. and Mrs. McC. are members
of the M. E. Church. He has followed farming in this county from
youth, and has a good place of 180 acres.

RICHARD C. MATSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Augusta).

Mr. Matson’s father, Abraham S. Matson, came to this county in
an early day, when a youth. He was from Bourbon county, Ivy.,
and after leaving his native State was a resident of Pike county, Mo.,
for 20 years before coming to St. Charles county ; and after leaving
St. Charles county he engaged in the live stock commission business
in St. Louis, where he now resides. He was married here November
15, 1839, to Miss Phoebe A. Coshow, of an old and respected family
of this county. Four children were the fruits of their married life,
including the subject of this sketch, but only two are living. The
father was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and one of the substan¬
tial farmers and highly respected citizens of the county. Richard C.
Matson was born on the family homestead, in this county, September
17, 1849, and was reared to a farm life, including the handling of
stock. To complete his education he was sent to Pardee College, at
Louisiana, and subsequently he took a course at Stratton & Bryant’s
Commercial College, in St. Louis. After this he returned home and
resumed farming, but soon began to turn his attention especially to
raising and handling stock. He has continued both farming and the
stock business up to the present time and has had good success. Mr.
Matson has a place of 455 acres, most of which is wTell improved. It
is known as the old Daniel Boone place, having been first settled by
that old pioneer. Mr. Matson, among his deeds in the chain of title
to the place, has one from Daniel Boone, bearing the autograph sig¬
nature of tho old pioneer. In 1874 Mr. Matson was married to Miss
Mary A. Murdoch, a daughter of George and Caroline Murdoch, of
this county. Her parents were early settlers here.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

255

GEORGE MUENCH

(Grape Grower and Manufacturer of Wine, Augusta).

Mr. Muench has a vineyard of about seven acres, and last year he
made about 7,000 gallons of wine. He ships, principally, to Chi¬
cago, to the well known firm of Kirchhoff & Hubarth, where his wine
has a well established reputation for purity and excellence. He is a
native of this county, born March 18, 1854. His father was George
Muench, who came to this country from Hesse-Darmstadt, in 1837,
and located in Warren county. In 1860, however, he removed to
this county and established the industry in which his son is now
engaged, the vineyard business and manufacture of wine. He died
here April 26, 1879. His wife was a Miss Wolff before her mar¬
riage, formerly of Germany. George Muench, the subject of this
sketch, was brought up to his present business and learned it thor¬
oughly under his father. His success in it therefore is not surpris¬
ing. He succeeded his father in the ownership of the vineyard at
the latter’s death, as well as in the management and conduct of the
business. October 8, 1879, he was married to Miss Helen Meyer, a
daughter of Alfred Meyer, of Franklin county. They have three
children: Towell, Oscar and Minnie. Mr. M. is a member of the
Augusta Harmonie Society.

GEORGE MURDOCH

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Augusta).

Mr. Murdoch is one among the oldest native residents of St.
Charles county. He was born here over 71 years ago, and his home
has been in the county from that time to this. He has been an ener¬
getic and respected farmer and citizen of the county ever since he
grew up. Mr. Murdoch has a good farm of 400 acres, which is well
improved. He also has about 200 acres of other land, principally
timber. December 10, 1843, he was married to Miss Caroline
Kennedy, a daughter of James and Sarah Kennedy, of Warren county.
Four children have been the fruits of their married life, namely:
Emily J., now Mrs. James W. Howell; James L., Mary A., now
Mrs. R. C. Matson, and Virginia L. Mr. Murdoch’s father, Alexan¬
der Murdoch, was one of the pioneer settlers of this county. He was
from Pennsylvania and came here as a trader, away back in the wil¬
derness days of the country when the Indians were still here, and but
very few white people, those who were here being principally Span¬
ish and French. He came here some years before the beginning of
the present century, and lived here until his death, at a good old age,
in 1824. Mr. Murdoch, Sr., became one of the prominent men of
the county among the early settlers. He held the office of justice of
the peace for many years and was afterwards a member of the
county court. He was also tendered an election to the Legislature,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

but declined the honor, preferring rather to remain at home and look
after his private interests and those of the county, and to enjoy the
comforts of home life in the bosom of his family. He was not only
a successful farmer but a very energetic, capable business man. His
wife, whose maiden name was Mary Zumwalt, survived him for 20
years, dying in 1844. They had a family of eight children, five of
whom lived to reach mature years, and three are still living. Both
parents were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Murdoch, their
third son, and the subject of this sketch, was born on his father’s
farm in Darst’s Bottom, April 24, 1813. At the age of 13 he left
home and went to Pulaski county, but returned three years later, to
remain, however, only a short time. He then went to a place where he
subsequently engaged in the lumber business, and later still in mer¬
chandising. After carrying on a store for about five years he returned
to St. Charles county and engaged in farming, where he has ever
since resided. However, he once started to Galena, Ill., to engage
in lead mining, but while en route there became involved in the Bhick
Hawk War, and was for a short time in the service against that
doughty chieftain of the aborigines.

WILLIAM W. PARSONS (deceased)

(Femme Osage Township).

Mr. Parsons was partly reared in this county, and he made it his
home until his death, which occurred August 22, 1876. He was well
known as one of the most highly respected citizens of Femme Osage
township, and was a farmer and stock-raiser of untiring energy and
industry. Largely by his own exertions and good management he
accumulated a comfortable property, although he was barely a middle-
aged man at the time of his death. He was a native of Virginia, born
in Hardy county, August 18, 1827. A son of Thomas and Phoebe
(Ward) Parsons, of that State, he was brought to St. Charles county
by them in 1840, who removed to this county when he was about 13
years of age. His father, a farmer by occupation, died here December
22, 1852. His mother died January 2, 1860. They had 9 children,
among whom William AY. was the oldest. After he grew up on his
father’s farm, in this county, he was married there to Miss Maria E.
Livergood, a daughter of Levitus and Sarah Livergood, her father
originally from Pennsylvania, but her mother born and reared in St.
Louis countv. Her father died in St. Louis in 1848. Her mother is
still living. Mr. Parsons at his death left a good farm of over 400
acres, where his widow, Mrs. P., now resides. But one of their
family of three children is living, namely, William Lee. Her husband
was a member of the M. E. Church, to which denomination she also
belonged. Mrs. Parsons is a lady of marked intelligence, amiable
disposition, a valued neighbor and an excellent manager of her farm
affairs. She is highly esteemed by all who know her.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

257

FRITZ TIEMANN

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Augusta) .

It was in 1848 that Mr. Tiemann’s father, Charles F. Tiemann, then
a young man, came over to this country from Hanover, Germany, and
located at Augusta, in St. Charles county. Here he shortly engaged
in merchandising, and although he began in comparatively a small way,
he soon built up a large business. He was married at Augusta, Mo.,
to Miss Susanna Miller, a daughter of Mr. Miller, formerly of Ger¬
many. She died in 1866, since which Mr. Tiemann, the father, has
not remarried. He is now living rather in retirement, his son having-
succeeded him in business in 1878. Fritz Tiemann, the subject of
this sketch, was born at Augusta March 10, 1853. He was reared at
this place, and spent his youth in his father’s store and at school.
He was thus brought up to merchandising, it may be said, and learned
the business thoroughly, especially the details of the business to which
he has since succeeded. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Tiemann, Jr., was
married to Miss Frances Helmkampf, a daughter of Hermann Helm-
kampf, of St. Louis. They have two children : Susie and Frances.
Mr. Tiemann carries a large and well selected stock of general mer-
chandise, and does an extensive and profitable trade. His business
amounts to about $40,000 a year, besides a heavy business in the grain
trade, which he also conducts. He handles, practically, all the grain
shipped from this point. Mr. Tiemann has a commodious brick busi¬
ness house, and a large, comfortable neatly built brick residence.

JUDGE GORDON H. WALLACE and WILLIAM P. WALLACE

(Farmers and Stock-raisers, Post-office, Hamburg).

The record of the family of which the subjects of the present sketch
are worthy and respected representatives, leads us back to the Revo¬
lutionary days of the Republic, and, indeed, beyond the period of our
own national history. The family is of Scotch origin, and is believed
to be descended from the noble and chivalrous and gallant William
Wallace, whose fame, like the morning light, circles the earth. Judge
Wallace’s father was Dr. John C. Wallace, a noted physician of Penn¬
sylvania, but a native of Maryland, where the family had been settled
long prior to the Revolution. In the War for Independence he was a
sergeant under “Mad Anthony Wayne,” and fought under that
doughty hero of the Revolution at Ticonderoga, Brandywine, James¬
town, Monmouth and Stony Point. He also participated in the tri¬
umph at Maumee in 1794. All this was prior to his removal to
Pennsylvania. He made his home in the Keystone State in 1812, just
about the time the second British war opened. Though advanced in
years he again buckled on his armor for the defense of his country,
and enlisted a company of volunteers for the service, of which he was
made captain. He served under Harrison, and participated in all the

258

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

campaigns and battles in which his command took part. After the
war he returned to Pennsylvania and settled down quietly with his
family at Erie, in Erie county, where he resumed the practice of his
profession. Later along he was elected mayor of Erie, and after¬
wards sheriff of Erie county. For many years he served as mag¬
istrate for the county, and finally died at a ripe old age, highly honored
by all who knew him, in 1825. His wife died in 1821. She was a
Mi ss Margaret Herron before her marriage, also of Maryland. Judge
Gordon H. Wallace was born December 19, 1807, and was reared in
Erie county, Pa. He received a good common English education, and
in 1831 went to the State of Louisiana, where he engaged in merchan¬
dising. Two years later he came to St. Charles county, Mo., and
here for a time he clerked for B. J. Orrick. In 1834 he located at
Missouriton, and soon became a partner with Mr. Orrick in a branch
store at St. Charles, which he conducted for about three years. Since
then he has been principally engaged in farming and raising stock.
Judge Wallace has held various official positions in the county, includ¬
ing that of county judge, and he has been magistrate of Femme Osage
township for a number of years. He has a good farm and is com¬
fortably situated. In 1834 he was married to Miss Margaret Fulker-
son, a daughter of Capt. Isaac Fulkerson. They have reared two
children, William P. and Elizabeth J.

William P. Wallace, born on his father’s homestead in this county
August 26, 1836, inherited the martial qualities of his grandfather —
love of military life, intrepid bravery and an indomitable spirit of
daring and of adventure. The result is he has led a thrilling career
though an humble one as a private soldier in the war annals of his
country. He was one of the first in St. Charles county to swear al¬
legiance to the three-barred and bright-starred banner of the Con-
federacy, and long after that gallant standard sfreet that he waved in
triumph over many a bloody battle-field had gone down to rise no
more, he refused to surrender his sword to the victorious hosts of
the North, and to this day has never for an hour or a moment been a
prisoner of any man or command on the earth. He entered the South¬
ern army in the spring of 1861 and did not return until 1865. He
fought out the issues of the war in the ranks as long as there was a
Southern flag to yvave or Southern commander to lead a charge, and
then refusing to surrender went with gallant Joe Shelbv to the sun-
scorched plains of the Mexican Republic. From there, after enduring
many hardships and too proud and high spirited to return, he went
to Cuba, intending to proceed thence to South America, where he ex¬
pected to make his permanent home, far removed from contact wTith
the victors of the North. But circumstances, as they control every¬
thing, changed his course and purpose, and after much wandering
about in strange lands and among strange people he returned once
more to his native soil for the independence of which he had fought
so long and bravely and well. For some six years he was a pilot on
t lie Missouri river, and then he engaged in the cattle trade between
Missouri, Kansas and Texas. But his father had now begun to fail

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

259

on account of old age, and yielding to &e impulse of filial affection he
came home to help his father in the management of the homestead,
and to be with him, his staff and stay through his declining years.
He has since had charge of the farm in this county. He was married
in 1874 to Miss Jennie P. Boone, a daughter of Thomas N. Boone, a
fair descendant of the doughty old pioneer, and worthy companion to so
gallant and fearless a soldier. They have three children: Gordon T.,
Lizzie L. and Jennie P.

GAEL WENCKER

(Of C. Wencker & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise, Augusta).

Mr. Wencker has an excellent store in his line, and does an annual
business of about $20,000. His business was originally built up by
his father, Frederick Wencker, to which Mr. Wencker, Jr., succeeded
at the former’s death. Born at Augusta February 28, 1852, Carl
Wencker was reared at this place and principally brought up in the
store. His general education was received in the schools of that
place. Being thoroughly trained by his father in the business of
merchandising he was well qualified to take charge of it at the time
of his father’s death, and, indeed, even before that time. His father
died in 1879, and since then he has had control of the business, and
has managed it with marked success. His father was appointed
postmaster in 1862, and held the office during the remainder of his
life. At his father’s death Carl Wencker was appointed to succeed
him, and has since held the office. Mr. W., Sr., was a man of frail
constitution, and in ill health the most of his life, but was a man of
great energy and ambition, which more than made up for his physical
disability. He was quite successful in life, although he started a poor
man. His wife was a Miss Caroline Schaaf, a daughter of Henry
Schaaf. Her father was one of the early settlers of St. Charles
county. Being a miller he ground the first barrel of flour ever made
at the old stone mill in St. Charles. Mrs. Wencker is still living,
and is the mother of six children, three of whom are sons. Carl is
the eldest of the family. He was married at this place December 7,
1876, to Miss Laura Dammann, a daughter of Henry Dammann.

GUSTAVUS WIELAND, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Augusta, Mo.).

Dr. W. was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 10, 1838, a
son of Gust. E., Sr., and Caroline von Maur, both of old Wurtemberg
families. The Doctor was reared in Wurtemberg and was educated
in the gymnasium of that State, receiving an advanced general and
classical education. He then, in 1857, entered the University of
Wurtemberg as a student in the department of medicine and surgery,
from whence he graduated in 1862. He subsequently immigrated to
the United States, and coming to St. Louis he was appointed acting
assisting surgeon in the Federal army and assigned to duty at the

260

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

United States general hospital at that city, where he was stationed
for about 18 months. In the fall of 1864 he was commisioned regi¬
mental surgeon of the Forty-first Missouri infantry, in which posi¬
tion he served until the close of the war. After the war he was post
surgeon at Franklin, Mo., and in the meantime built up a private prac¬
tice at that place. He removed from Franklin to Warren county and
was successfully engaged in practice in the latter county until 1881.
He then came to Augusta and has been here ever since. He has
built up a good practice here and is one of the leading physicians of
this part of the county. March 14, 1865, he was married to Miss Lizzie
Roemer, a daughter of John Roemer. They have five children :
Gustavus, Olga, Oscar, Ida and Laura. He and wife are members of
the Protestant Evangelical Church.

CHAPTER X.

PORTAGE DES SIOUX TOWNSHIP.

Area — Portage Des Sioux — Early Settlers — Point Prairie Presbyterian Church —

St. Erancis Church — Biographical.

This township, including the islands, contains about eighty square
miles, and embraces the point of land lying between the Missouri and
Mississippi rivers. It is about twenty-two miles in length, and a
little more than six miles in width at its widest part. The township,
however, between the two rivers, at Portage des Sioux, is not more
than two miles across.

The surface of the land is almost entirely level, it being what is
called “bottom” land, and is remarkably productive. The staple
products are wheat and corn. The corn grown here is of a superior
quality, and is known as the “ St. Charles White,” being excellent
for grits and meal. It commands, in the St. Louis market, from one
to one and a half cents more on the bushel than any other corn
shipped to that city. The farmers are in good circumstances, many
of them cultivating large tracts of land, from which they have an¬
nually gathered abundant crops which have made them wealthy. A
portion of the township is subject to overflow in extreme high water.

The forest which originally covered these bottoms was dense and
luxuriant ; much of it has been cleared away for farms and firewood ;
much of it has been cut into cordwood, sold to steamboats and
shipped to St. Louis, and still the timber is not only inexhaustible,
but of an excellent quality. The township has no running streams,
but contains a few small lakes, the largest of which is Marais Temps
Clair.

PORTAGE DES SIOUX.

Of the early settlements in the county, perhaps Portage des Sioux
retains the traces of its peculiar origin more closely than any other.
It is only of late years that the French population, which at one
time composed the entire settlement, has been broken in upon by the
representatives of other blood. In the latter part of the summer of
1799, Francis Leseuer, then a resident of St. Charles, in a hunting
excursion to the lakes in the prairie bottoms, visited an Indian village

(261)

262

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

a short distance from the Mississippi, and in company with some of
the Indians came as far as the river, where there was another Indian
settlement. The neighborhood pleased him so much as a site for a
village, that on his return to St. Charles a colony was organized to
settle the locality. Lieut. -Gov. Delassus, then at St. Louis, made
a grant of land the same fall, and a number of families, princi¬
pally from St. Charles and St. Louis, erected their tents on the site
of Portage des Sioux. Francis Saucier was appointed command¬
ant, a position which he continued to hold until the change of
government.

The colony remained during the winter of 1799-1800, hewed tim¬
ber, and in the spring built some houses. From a petition drawn in
October, 1803, for a grant of “Commons,” we gather the following
names as the original settlers of Portage des Sioux: Francis Saucier,
Francis Leseuer, Simon Lepage, Charles Hibert, Julian Roi, Augusta
Clairmont, Etienne Pepin, Abraham Dumont, Louis Grand, Jaques
Godefroi, Bapiste Lacroix, Brazil Picard, Patrice Roi, Joseph Gui-
nard, Antoine Lepage, Pierre Clermont, David Eshbough, Charles
Roi, Thomas Whitley, Matthew Saucier and Solomon Pettit. The
descendants of many of these still live in the neighborhood. The
first white child born in the settlement was Bridget Saucier, a daugh-
ter of the commandant. She was born in March, 1800, and after-
wards married Stephen De Lile and was living in the town in
1875.

Portage des Sioux was formerly a celebrated stopping place for the
Indians on their voyages up and down the river. Frequently the
Mississippi, in front of the town, would be covered with fleets of
canoes, while the village would swarm with swarthy voyageurs .
During the Indian troubles the inhabitants were not molested. About
1808, however, one of the residents was killed by a drunken Indian.
The assassin was at once surrendered to the whites and was taken to
St. Louis, where, however, he either escaped or was set at liberty.

The place was of some importance during the War of 1812. A
force was stationed here to intercept the enemy on their way to St.
Louis. Along the river below the town stood a fort, the site of
which disappeared in one of the inundations of the Mississippi.
There was also a block-house at the head of the island below the town.

An Indian village, belonging to the tribe of Kickapoos, stood about
two and a half miles south-west of the town ; and another called
Lassowris , from the name of an Indian chief, was below on the
Mississippi. The treaty of peace between the United States govern-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

263

merit and the confederate tribes, who had engaged in the war under
Tecumseh, took place at Portage des Sioux in 1815. Tribes from
the Mississippi, the Missouri and Illinois were present in large num¬
bers. General Clark acted in behalf of the United States government.
The flat below the town was the place for holding the council.

The name of Portage des Sioux had been given to the place by the
Indians, and was adopted by the French settlers. Here the distance
between the Missouri and Mississippi is scarcely two miles. Bands
of Indians on their journeys were accustomed to disembark, carry
their canoes across the narrow neck from one river to the other, and
thus save the long journey of twenty-five miles around the point of
land, which runs up from the confluence of the two rivers. For many
years after the settlement of the country the old trail could be dis¬
tinctly traced. Perhaps an incident, which tradition still preserves,
was of service in establishing the name, particularly in reference to
the tribe of Sioux.

The Osage Indians occupied a village on the Missouri, at or near
the mouth of the Kansas. The Sioux lived on the Mississippi, above
the mouth of the Des Moines. A hunting party of the Osage wan¬
dered over towards the countrv of the Sioux, and fell in with some
hunters of that tribe, and killed one or more of their number. This
greatly incensed the Sioux, and they resolved on Indian revenge.
They formed a war party, fitted out a fleet of bark canoes, descended
the Mississippi to the mouth of the Missouri, and ascended the latter
river to the neighborhood of the Osages. Here they secreted their
canoes and made a night attack upon their unsuspecting enemies,
of whom they massacred a large number. Their revenge was signal,
terrific and complete.

The Sioux then returned to their canoes and fled, but in less time
than Roderick Dhu could marshal his ready clansmen, a strong war
party of Osages was formed, who, panting and thirsting for vengeance,
launched their canoes upon the dark waters of the Missouri, and gave
chase to their retreating foes. Both tribes were distinguished for
their skill in water craft. The race was a contest for life and death.
On they sped, the pursued and the pursuers. Each party employed
all its skill and strength and cunning- — the fugitives prompted by the
love of life and hope of escape — the pursuers urged on by the desire
for revenge and thirst for blood. The Sioux made great speed down
the muddy river, but the Osages gained on them. The signs of the
chase freshened ; neither party stopped to rest, nor flagged ; on, on
they sped for days, the Osages still gaining, until, in one of the long

264

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

stretches of the river, they came in sight of the Sioux. A loud, wild
cry of exultation from the pursuers rang out upon the welkin, and
was echoed back by a shout of defiance from the Sioux. The last
trial of strength and skill was now made, and every nerve strained to
its utmost capacity. On they sped until a certain bend of the river
concealed the fugitives from their pursuers. Under this cover they
soon reached a point on the Missouri, about twelve miles above its
mouth and only a mile from the Mississippi, nearly opposite a
point on the Mississippi where Portage des Sioux stands, and,
taking advantage of this sudden turn of fortune, disembarked,
withdrew their canoes from the water, and concealed them¬
selves from their pursuers. Soon, however, the party of Osages
came, noiselessly, yet swiftly as an arrow in its flight, gathering new
life and fresh courage from the glimpse of a broken paddle, as it
glided by them on the turbid waters, or some useless article of which
the Sioux had disencumbered themselves in their flight.

A moment of breathless suspense, into which was crowded an age
of hope and fear and anxiety, is now experienced by the fugitives as
their pursuers near the place of their concealment — another moment
and their pursuers are passed and lost to view in the next curve of the
river. Manitto has smiled on the Sioux — the Osages are foiled.

Hastily gathering up their canoes they bear them on their shoulders
across the narrow portage, relaunch them in the Mississippi and re¬
sume their flight up that river, while the Osages continue down the
Missouri to its mouth and then up the Mississippi. This successful
strategem enabled the Sioux to gain on their pursuers some 20 or 30
miles, and secured their escape. The point where they re-embarked
is the sight of Portage des Sioux, the portage of the Sioux, by which
name it has ever since been known.

The seal of this town is a circle with two bands encircling a field,
with an extended view representing a portion of that plane of country
immediately above the junction of the rivers. The “ armorial chieve-
ment ” is simple, yet highly suggestive, and commemorates the inci¬
dent above related. It consists of a party of Sioux with canoes on
their shoulders, courant , comme le diable , and is surrounded with the
words “ Seal of the town of Portage des Sioux.” 1

Ebenezer Ayers came from one of the Eastern States and settled on
what is known as “ the point ” in St. Charles county at a very early
date. He built the first horse-mill in that region of country. He was

1 Atlas Map of St. Charles County.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

265

also a large fruit grower, and made a great deal of butter and cheese.
He lived in a large, red house, in which the first Protestant sermon in
“ the point ” was preached. In 1804 he and James Flaugherty and
John Woods were appointed justices of the peace for St. Charles dis¬
trict, being the first under the American government. Mr. Ayers had
four children, one son and three daughters. Two of the latter died
before they had grown. The son, Ebenezer Davenport Ayers, mar¬
ried Louisiana Overall, and settled where Davenport, Iowa, now
stands, the town being named for him. His surviving sister, Hester
Ayers, married Anthony C. Palmer, who was a ranger in the company
commanded by Capt. James Callaway. Mr. Palmer was afterward
elected sheriff of the county, and served one term. He had a good
education, was an excellent scribe, and taught school a number of
years.

Samuel Griffith, of New York, settled on the point below St. Charles
in 1795. He was therefore one of the very first American settlers in
the present limits of the State of Missouri. Daniel M. Boone had
been here previous to his arrival, and the rest of the Boone family
must have come about the same time that Mr. Griffith did. They all
came the same year at any rate. Mr. Griffith was married in North
Carolina, and had four children: Daniel A., Asa, Mary and Sarah.
Daniel A. married Matilda McKnight, and they had five children.
Asa married Elizabeth Johnson ; they had five children. Mary mar¬
ried Wilson Overall, and Sarah married Foster McKnight.

Alexander Garvin, of Pennsylvania, married Amy Mallerson, and
settled in St. Charles county, Mo., in 1819. His cabin was built of
poles, and was only 16x18 feet in size, covered with linden bark
weighted down with poles. The chimney was composed of sticks and
mud. The house was built in one day, and they moved into it the
next. Mr. Garvin and his wife had seven children : Amy, Mar¬
garet, Permelia, Alexander, Jane R., Julia A. and Fannie D. Amy,
Julia and Permelia all died single. Margaret was married first to
Thomas Lindsay, and after his death she married Joles Dolby, and is
now a widow again. Alexander married Elizabeth Boyd. Jane R.
married Robert Bowles. Fannie D. married Robert Roberts.

POINT PRAIRIE PRYSBYTERIAN CHURCH,

situated in section 13, range 48, was organized July 13, 1873, a frame
church building being erected the same year at a cost of about $4,000.
Its original members were : Thomas H. Barwise and wife, Joseph H.
Barwise and wife, Asa Barwise and wife, E. K. Barwise and wife.

266

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

William B. Greene and wife, Alfred B. Payton and wife, George
Henry and wife, Joshua Vincent and wife, Albert and Norman Bar-
wise. The present membership is about 30. The following are the
names of those who have served in the capacity of pastor : Rev. Dr.
J. H. Nixon, S. S. Watson, B. A. Alderson, Dr. W. Ferguson, Her¬
man Allen, J. G. Venable and H. L. Singleton. There is a thriving
Sunday-school attached to the church, superintended by William B.
Greene. This church was organized with members from St. Charles
Presbyterian Church, T. H. Barwise now being its clerk.

ST. FRANCIS CHURCH.

The membership of this church is composed of 200 families, its
rectors having been Fathers Schroeder, Mehring and Rensman. This
is a brick church, and was built in 1879 at a cost of about $15,000. It
is located in Portage Des Sioux township.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JUDGE THOMAS H. BARWISE, Sr.

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Charles).

For nearly forty years Judge Barwise has been a resident of St.
Charles county. From time to time he has occupied different official
positions from that of county judge to local township offices. He is a
man who has had a successful career as a farmer and in material affairs
and at one time was one of the leading land-owners in the county. He
has given off his lands, however, to his children, as they grew up and
married and desired to settle down in life, so that of 1,760 acres he
once owned he has now reserved to himself only a comfortable home¬
stead with about 160 acres. He is well and favorably known to the
people of the county as one of its useful and highly respected citizens.
Though a man who has been active and industrious all his life and
done a great deal of hard work, he is still well preserved mentally and
in physical strength at the advanced age of 83. He is quite active
considering his age and bright of mind and clear of memorj. His
conversation is animating, entertaining and instructive. All things
considered Judge Barwise is one of the remarkable men of the county
as well as one of its old and valued citizens. He is a native of New
York, born in Brooklyn October 4, 1801. His father was Thomas
Barwise, originally from London, England, who became after coming
to this country a prominent stage line owner and manager, and suc¬
cessful dealer in horses, etc. He married after he came over Miss
Mary Elsworth, of Long Island, New York, and they reared a family

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

267

of seven children, of whom Judge Thomas H. Barwise was the second.
When he was about 13 years ot age the family removed to Cincinnati,
O., away back in 1814. The father died there four years afterwards.
Judge Thomas H. had attended school before leaving Hew York, but
had little or no school advantages after the family came West. At the
age of 16 he commenced learning the carpenter’s trade and worked
at it some years. He then engaged in the grain business at Cincin¬
nati. He continued to reside there until he was about 32 years-old,
and in the meantime held several local city offices. In 1822 he was
married in Cincinnati to Miss Julia, a daughter of Prof. Norman Col¬
lins, formerly of Connecticut. In the year after his marriage (1833)
he removed to Franklin county, Indiana, where he engaged in farm¬
ing. He continued farming in that county and with good success
for about 10 years, and then returned to Cincinnati, and in 1847 re¬
moved to Missouri. Here he settled in St. Charles county, where he
bought a large body of land and resumed farming. His farming
career here has also been successful. At an early date Judge Barwise
was appointed justice of the peace and subsequently he was elected to
that office, and continued in the office by re-election for many years.
In 1861 he was appointed a judge of the county court by Gov.
Gamble. At the election of 1876 he was elected to that office. Judge
Barwise’ s first wife died in this county in 1863. She left him six
children: E. K., Joseph H., Thomas H., John E., Asa T. and
Laura, his daughter, and now the widow of Alfred B. Peyton, de¬
ceased, who left her three children at his death : Henry, Edward and
William. To his present wife Judge Barwise was married in January,
1865. She was a Mrs. Anna McCormack of Cincinnati, O. Judge
Barwise’s second son, Joseph H. Barwise, is now judge of the county
court of Wichita Falls, Tex. Edward is a farmer in St. Charles
countv, and Asa S. is a merchant of Wichita, Kas.

THOMAS H. BARWISE

(Farmer, Post-office, Portage des Sioux) .

The subject of this sketch is a grandson of Judge Thomas H. Bar-
wise, one of the old and highly respected citizens of this county, whose
sketch appears on a preceding page, and is a son of Judge Joseph H.
Barwise, now a judge of the county court at Wichita Falls, in Wi¬
chita county, Tex. Judge Joseph H. Barwise removed from this
county to Texas in 1877. He has since been twice elected to the office
of county judge in Wichita county, that State, and is one of the
prominent citizens of the county. He was principally reared in Indi¬
ana, but came to St. Charles county with his father’s family before
reaching majority, in 1847. Here he was afterwards married to Miss
Lucy A. Hansel, also formerly of Indiana. He became a substantial
and well-to-do farmer of this county, and his removal from the county
was greatly regretted. He and his good wife have reared a family of
five children: Thomas H., Jr., the subject of this sketch, Frances,
Joseph H., Jr., Lula and Marshall. Thomas H., the eldest of the

268

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

family of children, was born on his father’s farm in this township,
January 9, 1856. His father being a man in well-to-do circumstances
and intelligently appreciating the advantages of education, had the
liberality to give his children good opportunities for mental culture.
Thomas H., Jr., attended the district and intermediate schools avail¬
able in the county and was then sent to Blackburn University at
Carlinville, Ill., where he took a somewhat advanced course in the
higher branches, continuing there for two years. After quitting the
university, he resumed farming in this county, to which he had been
brought up, and which he has ever since followed, not without sub¬
stantial success. He has a neat, well improved place on a tract of 100
acres of land, which is largely devoted to fruit growing. About 65
acres of the place are set with a good bearing orchard of apple trees,
the annual yield of which is very large. Mr. Barwise owns about 40
acres of the place in his own right, the balance being still in his
father’s name. He also owns a good tract of land in Texas. He is
not yet married, but there is no insurance company that wrould be
willing to take a risk against his marrying at an early dav, or that he,
too, will not be a judge of the county court when age and industry
shall have given him the appearance of wisdom and dignity and made
him a substantial property holder and representative citizen and tax-
paver of the county.

EDWARD K. BARWISE

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Charles).

Mr. Barwise is a son of Judge Thomas H. Barwise, whose sketch
appears on a preceding page, and an uncle to Thomas H. Barwise,
Jr., the subject of the sketch preceding this. Mr. Barwise is a
worthy representative of the old and respected family of this county
whose name he bears. He was born while his parents were yet resi¬
dents of Cincinnati, March 27, 1825, and wTas the eldest of their fam¬
ily of children. As they removed to Indiana a few years afterwards,
and remained there until after he had grown to majority, he was prin¬
cipally reared in the latter State. He received an education in the
ordinary schools of Trenton, Indiana. In 1848 he returned to Cin¬
cinnati, Ohio, and was there married to Miss Matilda E. Wilson, a
daughter of William Wilson, of that city, and a large commercial
trader in Cincinnati and New Orleans by the river route. Shortly
after his marriage Mr. Barwise came to Missouri with his father ’s
family and located in St. Charles county. Here he was favored by
his father with a quarter of a section of land, which he improved and
where he engaged actively in farming. For many years his farming
experience was highly successful, and from time to time he added to
his landed estate, until at one time he was one of the leading land¬
holders of the county, having about 1,700 acres of choice land.
Through kindness of friends, however, in becoming sponsor of their
liabilities which he was compelled to answer for in several instances
out of his own means, and through other misfortunes, he lost the bulk

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

269

of his property. He still has, however, an excellent homestead of
560 acres, which is well improved and one of the choice farms of the
county. Mr. and Mrs. Barwise have five children: Albert, Emma
T., Norman C., Ella, the wife of J. A. Vincent, now a farmer of Ari¬
zona Territory, and Laura B. Darius: the war Mr. Barwise served for
a time in the State militia, and held the position of orderly sergeant.
He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he holds
the office of elder in the church.

STEPHEN W. BEST,

(Farmer, Post-office, Black Walnut).

Mr. Best’s father, Stephen Best, Sr., died in this county October
18, 1874, in the sixty-first year of his age. He was a Missourian by
nativity, one of the respected citizens of this county. In young man¬
hood he was married to a young ladv, formerly of Virginia. They
had a family of seven children, of whom Stephen W., Jr. , was the
seventh. One other is now living in this county. Stephen W. Best
was born December 1, 1858, and was reared to a farm life. In Jan¬
uary, 1881, he was married to Miss Maria, a daughter of John and
Ellen Dwiggins, formerly of Indiana. Her father died June 5, 1883,
but her mother still resides in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Best have
one child, Mary E. They have lost one, Stephen. Mr. Best has a
neat small farm, well improved, and for a young man has a good start
in life. With his industry and good management, he can hardly
fail of taking an enviable position among the substantial farmers of the
community.

JUDGE JOHN F. BEUMER,

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Charles).

Judge Beumer was born in the city of St. Louis June 12, 1840,
and was the fifth of ten children (only three now living) of Casper
H. Beumer, a native of Prussia, who came to America in 1838, and
located in St. Charles two years afterwards. The father was a carpen¬
ter by trade and followed that occupation for many years. He is still
living, a respected citizen of this county, at the age of 76. The
mother died in 1882. The other two of their family of children living:
are Louisa, the wife of John Wilke, and Caroline, the wife of Will¬
iam Willbrandt, all living in this county. Judge John F. Beumer was
reared in this county, being brought up on a farm, his father having
engaged in farming as well as the carpenter’s trade. At the age of
about 21, he went to work at the wagon maker’s trade at Wentz ville,
which he followed for some two years at that point and then moved to
St. Charles township. In the fall of 1869 he settled on the farm where
he now resides. While in St. Charles township, at Boscherttown he was
engaged in buying and shipping grain, principally wheat and com, in
which he did not meet with good success. In 1882 he was elected a
judge of the county court, a position he filled with credit to himself

270

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

and to the general satisfaction of the public. In 1863 Judge Beumer
was married to Miss Anna Willbrandt, of this county. Her father died
in Prussia and her mother is now the wife of Fritz Nole, of Saline
county. Judge Beumer’ s first wife died in 1865. His present wife
was a Miss Minnie Eggerman, a daughter of Frederick Eggerman, who
died in St. Louis in 1849. Her mother died there in 1848. Mr. and
Mrs. Beumer have eight children : Herman H., Maggie,Louisa, JohnH.,
Ernst W., Henry F., Minnie A. and Adah. They lost one, JohnH.,
the eldest. Mr. B. has one child by his first wife, Anna C. He has
resided on the place where he now lives, a farm of 140 acres, for the
last fifteen years.

FRANCIS M. BLANKENSHIP

(Farmer and Fruit Grower, Post-office, St. Charles).

March 5, 1837, was the date, and his father’s homestead, in Fay¬
ette county, Tenn., was the place that the subject of the present
sketch was born. Seven children of the family preceded him in the
order of births, and eight followed, making in all, including himself,
16 children in the family. His father was Caleb T. Blankenship, and
his mother was a Miss Rachel H. Hunter before her marriage. Both
were originally from Virginia. The family came to Missouri in 1853
and settled in Montgomery county. The father died there in 1856,
but the mother survived him until 1882. Francis H. remained at
home until he was 21 years of age, and was then married to Miss
Lacitia Tanner, a daughter of John Tanner, deceased, formerly of
Virginia. After his marriage he engaged in the saw mill business at
High Hill, and his wife died there the following }7ear, leaving a son,
Marcell us. He then went to work at the painter’s trade, and in 1862
was married to Miss Sallie, a daughter of John Jennings, of Mont¬
gomery county. Two years after his marriage he removed to St.
Charles, where he ran the American house for about a year. He
then resumed the painter’s trade. Subsequently he was alsoin the hotel
business again. In 1869 he returned to Montgomery county, where
he followed carpentering, but came back to St. Charles in 1879.
For three years prior to 1869, or rather following 1865, he followed
the painter’s trade in Kentucky. After locating in St. Charles, in
1879, he worked at his trade here until 1882, when he took charge
of G. H. Clark’s fruit farm. His tract of land contains 1,100 acres,
340 acres of which are set with apple-bearing trees. They yield an
average of about 8,000 barrels of apples a year. From 10 to 60 men
are employed in caring for the fruit. The apples are mainly shipped
to Northern markets. Damaged fruit is made up on the place, when
not too badly injured, for cider, vinegar, or other products. Mr.
Blankenship has two children by his last marriage, Samuel and
Susan. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he is a
member of the A. O. U. W. and the Knights of Honor.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

271

FRANCIS BOSCHERT,

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, St. Charles).

Mr. Boschert may be justly termed one of the self-made men of St.
Charles county, as he is well known to be one of its most highly re¬
spected* citizens, a true gentleman in every best sense of the word.
He commenced for himself a poor young man and, notwithstanding he
has sustained some heavy losses, he has succeeded in making himself
one of the substantial men of the community. He was born in Ger¬
many in October, 1821, and when about ten years of age was brought
over to America by his parents, David and Josephene Boschert, who
immigrated to this country in 1831, landing at New Orleans, and came
thence directly to St. Charles county. The father died here in 1846
and the mother in 1849. Francis was the third youngest of nine
children, and grew to manhood in this county. He remained at home
with his parents until his marriage which was January 31, 1843, when
Miss Barbara Leible, a daughter of Raymond and Frances Leible,
formerly of Baden, became his wife. He then settled on a farm in
Cul De Sac, where he improved a place and was getting along well
until the flood of ’44 came, when everything he had was swept away
by that mighty cataclysm of waters. He got out with his family and
settled in this township, where he has ever since resided. Here
his industry and good management soon prospered him again. His
home farm contains 350 acres, which he has finely improved and well
stocked. In easy circumstances, he is an open, hospitable, generous
man and is kind and accommodating as a neighbor and friend, and is
gentlemanly and courteous in manners and conversation as he is agree¬
able and hospitable about his place. Mr. and Mrs. Boschert have
seven children; Mary, the wife of Anton Saale, a farmer of this
county; Frank D., William J., Raymond I., Barbara E., nowin a
convent at Milwaukee ; John A. and Martha N. They have lost eight
children. Daniel died at the age of 35 years in Carroll county, Mo.,
in 1833, leaving a wife and five children. The others died in child¬
hood. He and wife are members of the German Catholic Church of
St. Charles, Mo.

GEORGE H. BYRAM

(Farmer, Post-office, Black Walnut).

Mr. Byram was born in Vermillion county, Ill., November 15,
1840, and was the fifth in a family of eleven children, six of whom
are living, of Adam C. and Sarah (Hand) Byram of that county;
but the father was formerly of Virginia, a farmer by occupation, and
the mother a native of Ohio. She died in 1866 and he in 1867, beiiis
at the time residents of Hancock county, Ill., to which they removed
in 1849. Both were members of the M. E. Church, and the father
served in the Union army. George H. was reared on the farm in
Hancock county and received a fair common-school education. In

272

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

1862 he enlisted in Co. I, Thirtieth Iowa volunteer infantry, and
served until the close of the war. He participated in some twenty
engagements, including those of Lookout Mountain, Vicksburg and
Atlanta. Returning to Illinois after the war, he resumed farming,
and in 1868 was married to Miss Ellen Gallon, a daughter of John
Gallon, of St. Louis. He came to St. Charles county inl869xwhere
he has ever since resided. Mr. Byram is a farmer of energy and is
well respected in the community.

DAVID M. DAVIS

(Farmer, Post-office, Black Walnut).

Mr. Davis was born in Washington county, Marvland, February 11,
1837, and was a son of James and Mary (Eckleberger) Davis, the
former of whom died in 1847, but the latter is still living, a resident
of Indiana. They had eleven children, of whom eight lived to be

v/ 7 O

grown and six are still living. David H. was reared with farming
experience and ordinary school advantages, and in 1859 he came to
Missouri and located in St. Charles countv. In 1866 he was married
to Miss Amanda F. Best, a sister to Stephen W. Best, whose sketch
appears elsewhere. After his marriage he located in Portage town¬
ship, where he still resides, engaged in farming. He has been on the
same place for the last fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have five
children: Laura E., Nettie I., Blanche E., Elonete E. and David M.

- They lost two in infancy. He and wife are members of the M. E.
Church South, and he is a member of the Knights of Honor, the A.
O. U. W. and the Chosen Friends. Mrs. Davis is a lady of superior
mental culture, having been educated at Fairview College under Prof.
Pitman.

DIEDERICH GERDTS

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Charles).

Mr. Gerdts bought the farm where he now resides in 1882. It
is a handsome place of 165 acres, and has an excellent, commodious
and neatly built brick house. He has risen to his present comfortable
situation by his own energy and industry in the last 12 or 14 years.
A native of Hanover, Germany, born in Varstadt county, February
28, 1844, he came to this country at the age of 24, in 1868, and a
year later came to Ohio. When he located in Ohio he had but five
cents in the world and not much of anything else to speak of, except
his good name and good sense, and his ability and determination to
work. Three months later he came to St. Charles county and worked
on a farm here for a time and then engaged in farming for himself.
In 1872 he went to St. Louis and worked there for four years,
returning to St. Charles county in 1876. Here he resumed farming,
and in 1882 bought his present place. May 9, 1877, Mr. Gerdts was
married to Mrs. Anna M., the relict of Ernest Nolle, her maiden
name having been Becker. She had five children by her first hus-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

273

band : Herbert, Herman, Minnie, Ernest and John. She has two by
Mr. Gerdts: August G. and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of
the Lutheran Church.

LOMAN H. HAIGLER

(Postmaster, Dealer in General Merchandise, and Farmer, Post-office, Black Walnut).

Among the leading citizens of Portage township the subject of the
present sketch occupies a prominent and enviable position. He is a
son of Jesse Haigler, mentioned elsewhere, and was born in Hut-
tonville, W. Va., January 19,1836. Reared on his father’s farm,
he received a good common-school education as he grew up, and
when about 21 years of age, in 1857, went to California, where he
remained, principally engaged in mining, for some 10 years. Return¬
ing in 1866, he located in St. Charles county and the following year
was married to Miss Margaret Costello, a daughter of John Costello,
formerly of Ireland. After his marriage Mr. Haigler continued farm¬
ing in Portage township, in which he had previously engaged, until
1877, when he came to Black Walnut post-office. A post-office hav¬
ing been established at this place in 1875 through his efforts, Mr.
Haigler was appointed postmaster to fill a vacancy caused by the
resignation of William Kleasner. Mr. H. has continued to hold the
office ever since. He also established a general store at this place,
which he conducts, and in which he has built up a good trade. He
also owns 100 acres of improved land, where he carries on farming
with success. He has taken a great interest in the prosperity and
growth of Black Walnut and has done a great deal for the place. It
is rapidly becoming a local trading point of considerable importance.
He has also warmly interested himself in the cause of education and
was largely instrumental in building up the excellent school with
which Black Walnut is now favored. He has been a school officer
for the last 14 years, including the offices of treasurer, director, dis¬
trict clerk, etc. Mr. Haigler was one of the pioneers in the Grange
movement in St. Charles county. He helped to organize the second
Farmer’s club ever organized in the county, which was in 1872. In
1873 he was elected master of the first Grange in this township, a
position he held until 1880. Three times he represented the county
Grange in the State Grange as delegate, and was master of the county
Grange for four years. In 1875 he was appointed lecturer of the
Grange by authority of the State Grange, and lectured through St.
Charles, Warren, Lincoln, Pike, Ralls, Monroe, Audrain and Randolph
counties. Mr. and Mrs. H. have six children: Mary V., Loman H.,
Jr., Ida C., Jesse J., William F. and George M. He is a member
in good standing of the A. F. and A. M., Knights of Honor, A. O.
U. W. and American Legion of Honor. He was one of a number
who have organized a protective association for the prevention of
crime, and the arrest and punishment of horse thieves and criminals
generally.

274

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

FRANCIS KEEN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, St. Charles.)

A Virginian by nativity, having been born in Wood county, of the
Old Dominion, June 20, 1825, Mr. Keen was reared, however, in
Kentucky, where his family removed in 1832. His father was Ely
Keen and his mother’s-maiden name Sarah Keen. She died in Ken¬
tucky in 1848, and the same year the father removed to Missouri with
his family of children, where he died in 1850. Francis Keen did not
come to this county until a year after his father. He has resided here
ever since, and been engaged in farming. He has a good farm of 300
acres, and is comfortably situated.

JOHN AND FRANK KING

(Steamboat Pilots, Post-office, Portage).

John King, the father of Frank King, was a son of John King, Sr.,
and wife, who was Cecilia Tesson, the father a native of Ireland,
but the mother born and reared in St. Louis county. The father came
to St. Charles county in a very early day. He was a brick mason by
trade and built the first brick house ever erected in St. Charles. He
died here October 20, 1838, but his wife survived for many years, or
until 1882. John King, Jr., wTas born at Portage, February 7, 1826,
and was the second of a family of eight children. At the age of 13
he went on a boat as cabin boy, and has been on the river continuously
ever since, for a period of forty-five years. He gradually worked his
way up to the position of pilot, and has been a pilot on the Mississippi
ever since. He is perhaps the oldest pilot, in point of continuous
service on the river. The current of the Upper Mississippi and all
the points and peculiarities of the river are as familiar to him and even
more so than the route of a school boy to his school. There is prob¬
ably not a safer, more competent pilot in the country than the senior
subject of the present sketch. Though giving all his time and atten¬
tion to his river work, Mr. King is to a considerable extent interested
in farming, and has two good farms of fine river bottom land. His
homestead contains 160 acres and is well improved. He has another
good place of 120 acres. Mr. King was married, January 31, 1853,
to Miss Louisa Novall, a daughter of Frank Novall, of this county.
Mr. and Mrs. King have six children: Francis, John, Louisa, Celia,
Irene and Mary. They have lost three, one of whom, James, was
13 years of age at his death. Mr. and Mrs. K. are members of the
Catholic Church.

Frank King, the eldest of his father’s family of children, was
born July 27, 1858, in St. Charles county. When he was eight years
of age his father removed the family to Portage, where Frank grew
up and attended the schools in Portage. At the age of 19 he began
to learn piloting under his father and went with him on the river for
that purpose. As soon as he became qualified to run a boat he ob-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

275

tained a situation on one of the Northern line steamboats and has been
engaged in piloting ever since. In 1879 he was married to Miss
Maggie R. Delille, of this county. Her mother is still living, but
her father died in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. K. have three children : Mary
Celia, Mike Kelley and Francis Noel. Mr. and Mrs. K. are mem¬
bers of the Catholic Church. Mr. King, like his father, is also in¬
terested in farming, and has a farm of 200 acres well improved. He
is now piloting on the Diamond Jo Line, between St. Louis and St.
Paul.

WILLIAM A. KLESENER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Black Walnut).

Mr. Klesener is one of the substantial, self-made and highly re¬
spected farmers of the county. He commenced a poor young man
and worked for several years as a farm laborer, and then in the mines
of California to get a start. As soon as he was able he bought land
of his own in this county, which he improved, and afterwards bought
other lands from time to time until he became one of the large land
owners in the county. He owned at one time over 700 acres. Hav¬
ing given off some to his children, he still has about 400 acres, and a
handsome homestead where he resides. Mr. Klesener was born in West¬
phalia, Prussia, November 15, 1824, and he was the third in a family
of 13 children. His parents were Ferdinand and Elizabeth (Meyer)
Klesener, both of whom are now deceased. The father died in 1847
and the mother in 1880. William A. came to America in 1846 and
located in St. Charles county, where he obtained employment as a
farm hand. In 1850 he went to California and for two years was
engaged in mining. Returning to St. Charles county, he then bought
a tract of unimproved land and made a farm. In 1854 he was married
to Miss Minnie Windmeuller. Her parents came from Germany in
1851. They have four children : Ferdinand H., William R., Herman

H. and Minnie C. Thev lost three in childhood. Mr. Klesener was

• *

postmaster for two years at Walnut Grove, and has repeatedly held
the office of school director. He and family are members of the Ger¬
man Lutheran Church.

FREDERICK LINEN AN

(Farmer, Post-office, Portage).

Among the substantial and energetic young farmers of Portage
township the subject of the present sketch occupies a justly worthy
and enviable position. A young man just past 26 years of age, he has
an excellent start in life, and is carrying on his farming operations
with an energy and intelligence that can hardly fail of placing him at no
distant day among the more substantial and leading farmers of the
county. He was born in this county in March, 1858, and is the older of
two living children of the family of seven of Barney and Alice (Vennor)
Linenan, both originally from Germany. The father died of cholera
in this county in 1872, when two of his sons, Anton and Frank, died

276

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

the same year of that dread disease. The mother died in 1883,
Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Frederick Paling, a mercantile
clerk of St. Louis, is the only other of the family living. Frederick
Linenan was reared on the farm in the county, where he still resides,
and on which he is actively engaged in farming. The farm was be¬
queathed to him by his father, and contains 240 acres, an excellent,
well improved place.

PETER MEHRING, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Portage).

Dr. Mehring, who is a regularly educated and qualified physician,
as well as a skillful and experienced practitioner, is at the same time
a man of advanced general culture, and probably one of the most ac¬
complished linguists in the State. After completing his education in
Europe, he was regularly employed for eight years at Paris, France,
as an interpreter of the French, Italian and German languages by
personages of the highest consideration from abroad. He also studied
medicine while in Paris, and had the benefit of instruction of one of
the best medical institutions of that city. From Paris he came to
America in 1876, and proceeded directly to St. Louis. It being his
purpose to engage in the practice of medicine in this country, he took
a course in the St. Louis Medical College, in order to familiarize him¬
self with the theories and methods in vogue in this country. He
graduated at St. Louis in 1878. In the meantime, he had fixed upon
Portage as his location for the practice, and ever since his graduation
has been actively engaged in the practice at this place. Dr. Mehring
has not only been very successful in the treatment of cases and in
building up a large practice, but has accumulated some property, con¬
sidering the time he has been here. He has a comfortable residence
property at Portage and 80 acres of good improved land in the
vicinity. In 1876 he was married to Miss Mary Mehring, a daughter
of John and Magdaline Mehring, of Echternach, Luxenburg, the place
of his own nativity, and relatives of his. The Doctor and Mrs. Meh¬
ring have two children : Henry and Mary E. They have lost two,
Peter and Mary, both at tender ages. He and wife are members of
the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of
America. Dr. Mehring was the youngest of a family of five children,
his parents both being of old and respected Luxenburg families ; his
father was an intelligent and successful farmer. Dr. Mehring was
born in Echternach, Luxenburg, in Holland, April 10, 1842. He
and his brother, Rev. Father Plenry Mehring, are the only ones of the
family who are residents of the United States.

JAMES S. MITTELBERGER

(Farmer, Post-office, Black Walnut) .

Mr. Mittelberger is of German antecedents, though the family has
long been settled in this country. The founder of the family in America

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

277

first settled in Pennsylvania, from which State branches have spread
out into other States. Mr. Mittelberger’s father was John C. Mittel-
berger, who settled in Virginia from Pennsylvania, and finally came
to St. Charles county, where he resided until his death. The mother
was a Miss Maria Longe, who died when James S. was in infancy,
having been the mother of four children. The father subsequently
married Miss Catherine Reonar, by whom he had six children. The
family all belonged to the Presbyterian Church. James S. was born
in Loudoun county, Va., April 4, 1826, and was about 10 years of
age when the family settled in St. Charles county. He was reared
here, but had no school advantages to speak of. He managed to
secure, however, a thorough common-school education. Remaining
at home until he was about 24 years of age, he then rented land and
engaged in farming for himself. Finally he was able to buy a tract of
land which he improved, about 112 acres, and he received some 66
acres from his father’s estate. In 1865 he was married to Miss Mar¬
garet Stake, formerly of Maryland. She was taken from him by
death in 1869, leaving him one child, Elizabeth. In 1875 he was
married to Mrs. Charlotte Schumann, widow of Fredrick Schumann,
deceased, and a daughter of William Ballner, formerly of Hanover.
She had two children by her first husband : Julia and William. There
is one child by her present marriage, James S. Mr. and Mrs. M. are
members of the M. E. Church. His farm now consists of 82 acres,
having sold off* a part of his land heretofore.

CHARLES Gr. MOSLANDER

(Farmer, Post-office, Black Walnut).

Mr. Moslander was principally reared in St. Louis county, and was
brought up on a farm. He had little or no school advantages, but to
a certain extent made up for this by private study. When he was
about 14 years of age he had the misfortune to have his left leg broken,
which resulted in making him a cripple for life. A man of energy
and intelligence, however, he has overcome this disadvantage so far
as success in life is concerned, and has become one of the substantial
men, in a property point of view, of his community, and a citizen of
consideration and influence. Mr. Moslander has a handsome farm of
nearly 200 acres adjacent to Black Walnut, one of the choice farms of
the vicinity, well set off* by a commodious, tastily built, two-story
frame residence. He has taken much interest in education toward
building up good schools, and seeing that his children and others of
the neighborhood are favored with good school advantages. Mr. Mos-
lander was born in New Jersey, January 3, 1830, and was a son of
William Moslander, a miller by trade, but a sailor in early life. From
New Jersey the family removed to Virginia, and from there, in 1839,
they removed to Missouri. The father died, however, on the way, in
1839, and the mother with her children came on and settled in St.
Louis county. She died in 1844. In young manhood Mr. Moslander
followed teaming for several years. In 1856 he was married to Miss

278

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Martha Hill, of St. Louis count}', and two years later he came to St.
Charles county, where he has ever since resided. Here he has followed
farming, and has achieved good success. His first wife died in 1875,
leaving him four children: Lydia, James A., Charles B. and Caroline
G. To his present wife Mr. Moslander was married in 1878. She
was formerly Mrs. Mary J. Best, widow of the late Stephen Best, and
mother of Stephen W. Best, whose sketch appears on a former page
of this work. By her first husband she has five children : Ann, the
wife of James B. Ferguson ; Stephen, Udora, wife of William M.
Gray; Lucy and Edna. There are no childreu by her last marriage.
Mr. Moslander is a member of the Knights of Honor.

HENRY T. PEYTON.

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Charles).

Mr. Peyton is a grandson of Judge Thomas H. Barwise, whose
sketch appears on a former page of this volume. Henry T., born
in this county August 15, 1854, was reared on his father’s homestead.
He was the eldest of the three children of his parents, mentioned in
the sketch of his grandfather, Judge Barwise. The other two are
Edward and William. The father died May 18, 1876. He was from
Virginia, and came here in 1850. He left a good farm of 160 acres,
the fruit of his own industry and good management, for he com¬
menced for himself a poor man and without a dollar. Henry T.
grew up in this county and received a common school education in the
neighborhood schools. Subsequently he took a course at college at
Carlinville, Ill. In 1881 young Mr. Peyton was married to Miss
Marinda Dougherty, a daughter of James P. and Carrie Dougherty,
of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Peyton have two children, Alfred and
James. Mr. Peyton lives on his father’s homestead where he is suc¬
cessfully engaged in farming. He is a young man of industry and
intelligence, and has excellent promise of a successful career as a
farmer.

HENRY PUJAL

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Portage).

Mr. Pujalis a descendant, on his father’s side, of one of the early
Spanish families of the old Upper Louisiana country. On his mother ’s
side he is of French lineage and the representative of an early French
family, the Veliers. Both came to the upper trans-Mississippi region
more than a generation before there were any English settlements in
this part of the country, and long before the flag of meteor stripes
and gleaming stars had been given to the breeze in the great valley of
the Mississippi. Mr. Pujal’s father was Louis Pujal, who, through¬
out the principal part of his life, was a successful farmer of this
county. The mother was a Miss Cecile Veliers. They reared their
family in St. Charles county. The father died at Montrose while on
a river voyage, in 1853, and the mother survived two years after-

HISTORY QF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

279

wards. They had a family of twelve children, only two of whom,
however, are living. Henry, the youngest of the family, was born in
this county, November 13, 1839, and was reared on his father's farm.
He attended the ordinary schools of the county, and then attended
school at St. Louis for about a year and a half. After quitting
school he engaged in farming, but two years later went to Columbus,
Ky., where he obtained a situation as clerk in a store. He subse¬
quently clerked at Carondelet and St. Louis. He then came to Portage
and engaged in merchandising on his own account, forming a partner¬
ship in business with Peter St. Cin. Two years later this partner¬
ship was dissolved and Mr. Pujal retired from business. He then
engaged in farming in the vicinity of Portage, which he carried on with
success until 1869, when he became a commission merchant in the
grain business at Portage. This was continued until 1883. He then
sold out to good advantage to John Steiner, and retired to his farm,
near Portage, Mr. Pujal has a place of 350 acres, an excellent farm
and a comfortable homestead, where he is carrying on farming and
stock raising with energy and success. In 1868 Mr. Pujal was mar¬
ried to Miss Corinne Lefaivre, a daughter of Charles and Priscilla
(Lepage) Lefaivre. Both her parents were of French origin. Her
father died in about 1862, but her mother is living, at the age of
seventy-six, and resides with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Pujal have
four children : Lee, Charles, Paul and Mary. Four others died at
tender ages. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and
he is a member of the Catholic Knights of America. Mr. P.'s sister,
Adele, is the wife of August Ano, a farmer of the vicinity of Portage.

JACOB SCHAEFFER

(Farmer, Post-office, Portage des Sioux).

Mr. Schaeffer is a native of France, born in January, 1831. He was
the youngest of four children of Jacob and Florents (Morgantahler)
Schaeffer, and was reared in his native country. His mother died in
1853, and his father died about four years ago. In 1857 Mr. Schaeffer
came to America, landing at New Orleans, and shortly engaged in raft¬
ing on the river, which he followed for nearly a year. He then came
to St. Charles county and commenced farming here with tJudge Bar-
wise. In 1861 he was married to Miss Kate Sale, a daugher of Anton
and Johanna Sale, formerly from France. Mrs. Schaeffer’s father died
in 1880, but her mother is still living in St. Charles with her son,
Louis Sale. After his marriage Mr. Schaeffer continued farming and
he has ever since continued it up to the present time. He is now the
owner of 79V2 acres of excellent land, which he has finely im¬
proved. He has a good two-story house on his place. Mr. and Mrs.
Schaeffer have had twelve children, six of whom are living; Floren¬
tine, who is now the wife of Heinrich Leisse, a carpenter of St.
Charles ; Katrina, Marie, Sophie, Louis and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. S.
are members of the Holy Catholic Church. Mr. S. has held the office
of road overseer, and deserves great credit for the excellent manner

280

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

in which he had the roads worked during his administration of that
office.

PETER ST. CIN

(Business-man and Hotel-keeper, Portage),

The St. Cin family, a French-Canadian family, was one of the early
families of St. Louis county. Mr. St. Gin’s grandfather, A. St. Cin,
came to that county when 20 years of age. He was married there and
made his home within its borders until his death. Frank St. Cin, his
son, was born and reared in St. Louis county and became a farmer
and veterinary surgeon. Subsequently he removed to St. Charles
county and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1873. He
had been a member of the Masonic order for over 20 years, and was
also a member of the Catholic Church. He was married twice. Of
his first union, nine children were born, of whom Peter St. Cin was the
second. His second wife was a Miss Mary Crealey, a daughter of
Frank Crealey, formerly of Canada. She is still living on the farm
in this county. Peter St. Cin was born in St. Louis county November
13, 1833, and was principally reared on a farm. At the age of 13 he
went to work at farm labor, beginning at $8 a month, but his wages
were afterwards raised to $15 a month. He then engaged in the fruit
and vegetable business and in 1850 went to Montana. The following
vear he returned and engaged with his father in the stock business,
driving to New Orleans. In 1853 he was married to Miss Mary Brad¬
shaw, of St. Charles county. After this he engaged in farming in St.
Louis county, which he followed for four years. While cradling in
the field, he broke a blood vessel and on that account had to quit farm¬
ing. He then set up in the saloon business at Portage, and later along
added a stock of groceries and dry goods. He is now engaged in run¬
ning a threshing machine and corn sheller, and also a portable saw
and grist mill. He also has a butcher shop at Portage, which he is carry¬
ing on with success. Mr. St. Cin keeps a boarding-house at Portage in
connection with his saloon, and also has about 80 acres of good im¬
proved land in this vicinity besides his town property. In 1859 he
had the misfortune to lose his first wife, who died, leaving him one
child, Charles D. January 7, 1862, he was married to Miss Marga¬
ret D. Saucier, a daughter of John D. Saucier, of this county. Mr.
and Mrs. St. Cin are members of the Catholic Church. Thev have
two children, Mora and Wilson.

JOSEPH B. TIMBERLAKE

(Farmer, Post-office, Black Walnut).

Mr. Timberlake’s parents were Benjamin E. and Eliza M. (Over-
street) Timberlake, his mother from Virginia, but his father from
Kentucky. They settled in St. Charles county from Kentucky in 1835.
The father was a stone mason by trade, and died here in 1844. The
mother died in 1881. They had a family of three children, of whom
Joseph B. was the second. He was born in Femme Osage township

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

281

February 17, 1840. He was reared to a farm life, and received a good
common-school education. Mr. Timberlake remained at home with
his mother and family until after his marriage. He was married in
1879, to Miss Ellen A. McKnight, a daughter of Capt. D. G. McKnight,
of this county. Capt. McKnight died in 1867. Mr. Timberlake has
been engaged in farming from boyhood, and is still following that
occupation. He is a man of character and intelligence, and is well
respected in the community. Mr. and Mrs. T. have but one child,
Joseph W. B. Their other child, Eugenie, died at a tender age. Mr.
Timberlake now resides in Portage. township.

BENJAMIN F. KEEN

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Charles).

Benjamin Franklin Keen was born on his father’s homestead in this
county, July 13, 1859. He was the fifth in a family of ten children
of Francis and Sarah Keen, who have long been residents of this
county. He was reared on his father’s farm, and educated at Lincoln
Institute, in Jefferson City. After concluding his course at that
institution he returned home to his father’s farm, and continued to
make his home with his parents until after his marriage. He was
married in 1882 to Minnie Allen, of Wright City. They have one
child, Benjamin F., Jr. After his marriage he settled on the place
where he now resides, and land belonging to his father, a tract of
about 150 acres. He is a member of the Knights of Wisemen’s order.

CHAPTER XI.

CALLAWAY TOWNSHIP.

The present township of Callaway is situated in the western part
of the county and lies immediately west of Dardenne township,
extending thence to the Warren county line. On the north it is
bounded by Cuivre township, Peruque creek being the dividing line
between the two ; and on the south by Femme Osage township. It is
©ne of the old townships of the county.

It is largely a timbered township, but has some valuable prairie
lands. Much of the timber has been cleared away to open up farms,
and the land, generally, is of an excellent quality for wheat and fruit,
whilst the tame grasses, particularly blue-grass, yield good crops.
Corn is of course raised to a considerable extent, but mainly for
feeding purposes, hogs being the principal stock fattened, for this part
of the county is well adapted to hog raising. Though the township
has a population of 1,830 (or, rather, had in 1880, according to the
United States census), still, there is a large area of unfenced timbered
lands, which afford fine range for hogs, as they produce considerable
“mast,” such as acorns, hickory nuts, etc. Cattle also do well, and
all raise them to some extent, several farmers of the township being
among the prominent cattle raisers in the county.

A considerable portion of the timbered lands is quite broken, some
of it, indeed, too much so for active cultivation, but will always be
valuable for pasturage, and doubtless stock-raising will continue to be
one of the important industries of the township. The lands, generally,
are well watered either by the main current of Peruque creek or its
tributaries, or by the headwaters of the Dardenne or other streams.

(282)

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

283

There are also many fine springs in the township, which afford excel¬
lent water, cool, pure and delightfully refreshing.

The timber of the township was originally of an excellent class,
large oaks and other trees, indigenous to this section of the country,
thickly set and many of them of great thickness and height. Some
of the best hard-wood lumber put on the market has been made in
this section of the county, and the manufacture of this class of lumber
was for a time quite a valuable industry. Indeed, there are still
several good saw mills in the township, which are doing an excellent
business. But as this township has been settled for many years, much
of its timber, of the more valuable class, has of course been culled.
Yet, there is still some very fine timber in localities, which has been
carefully and wisely preserved by the owners.

Callaway township was one of the first settled in the county. In¬
deed, it was settled second only after St. Charles. Its lands being
generally uplands, and thus free from the malaria and miasma which
so seriously prevailed in the lower parts of the county, this was one of
the considerations which influenced many of the pioneers to make
their homes here, off of the rivers. Besides, the many fine springs
met with were not unimportant factors in the early settlement of the
township, for with our pioneer fathers a good spring, and with our
pioneer mothers a good, cool, spring milk-house, were considered
hardly less valuable than rich, fertile soil for a homestead. Those
were the days before wells were generally made, and cisterns were of
course out of the question. Hence, where a good spring could be
found, if the land was at all arable, a home was made. Nor was a
very large field necessary, for corn was not generally raised then for
sale, or to be fed to stock on a large scale, but principally for meal,
hominy, and to fatten the usual number of hogs for meat for home
use, and to feed the stock through the winter and the plow-horses
through the summer. Moreover, the abundance of game largely took
the place of tame meat. Our good forefathers of the first and, in¬
deed, of the second generation in this county, lived, principally, on
good, rich corn bread, the best of spring-house milk and butter, well
cured smoke-house meat, wild game, hominy and mush and wild honey
— by no means poor living; better than many of their sons, grand¬
sons and great-grandsons have in these days of progress. They wore
good, honestly-made homespun jeans and linsey, slept on warm,
thick feather beds, drank their own apple cider and lived independent,
hospitable lives, with the latch-string of their doors always out for

284

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

friend and stranger alike. Such were the early settlers of Callaway
township.

Among the first who came, away back when the blanket Indians
were here, or, rather, before they had got the blankets and still had
on the war paint and flourished the tomahawk, were the Boones and
Callaways. The Boones, however, made no permanent homes in what
is now Callaway township ; therefore the Callaways were among its
first bona fide settlers, and it was for them that the township was named.
This was the home of Capt. James Callaway, one of the most dashing,
fearless and intrepid Indian fighters of whom the pioneer history of
Missouri gives any account. His career and tragic death are briefly
outlined in a former chapter of the present work. Boone and Thomas
Callaway also settled in this township ; and the history of their lives
is intimately interwoven writh the stirring events of those times, not
only as respects Callaway township and St. Charles county, but all
this part of the country.

Henry Abington was another early settler of the township, but at a
period considerably later than that of the Callaways. He came from
Virginia, but was of Scotch ancestry on his father’s side. His grand¬
parents were John Abington and Mary (Watson) Abington. She
died in Montgomery county, Md., leaving five children, Bowles,
Lucy, John, Elizabeth and Henry. The father afterwards removed
with his children to Henry county, Va. The children all grew
to mature years and married, some of them settling in different parts
of the county. Bowles joined the American army during the Revolu¬
tion, at the age of 18, and served until the close of the war. He
married Sarah Taylor, a daughter of William and Sarah (Scruggs)
Taylor, of Virginia, and seven children were the fruits of their union :
William N., John T., Susanna, Taylor, Bowles, Henry and Lucy.
The eldest became a prominent Methodist minister of North Carolina ;
John T. settled in Tennessee ; Susanna became the wife of Thomas
Travis, afterwards of this county ; Taylor married Amanda Payne ;
Bowles married Mary Baldwin, but died soon afterwards without
issue. Henry Abington of Callaway township, is still living, and is
one of the leading citizens of the county, as well as one of the oldest
living settlers of the township. He is a prominent and well-to-do
farmer now living in retirement, and has represented the county in
the Legislature for three terms.

Joseph Baugh came here prior to Mr. Abington. He settled in
Callaway township in 1816, and is therefore well entitled to go down
in the history of the county as one of the pioneer settlers of this

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

285

township. He was of an old Virginia family, a descendant of one of
the colonists of Jamestown. He came of one of three brothers who
came over to Jamestown at a time when that and Plymouth were the
only white settlements in the Colonies. Abram Abington was Mr.
A.’s father. He left 10 children by his wife, whose maiden name
was Judith Coleman : Joseph, Thomas N., Edsa, William, Alexander,
Abram, Jesse, Mary, Judith and Rhoda. Joseph Baugh, the eldest
of these, and who settled in Callaway township as stated above, served
five years in the Revolutionary army, and afterwards removed to
Madison county, Ky. Thence he came to this county in 1816.
He left eight children: William, Benjamin, Judith, Alsey, Nancy,
Mary, Patsey and Lucinda.

The Edwards family, of whom Judge W. W. Edwards, Hon. A. H.
Edwards and Maj. James Edwards are prominent representatives,
were likewise early settlers of this township. They are descendants
from Ambrose and Olive (Martin) Edwards, of Albemarle county,
Va., who left 10 children: Brice, James, John, Childs, Henry,
Joseph, Booker, Carr, Susanna and Martha. John and Henry settled
in St. Charles county ; Carr and Martha, who married Milton Ferney,
settled in St. Charles county. One or two of the others also came to
Missouri, but did not settle in this county. Henry Edwards married
Sarah M. Waller, a daughter of Carr and Elizabeth (Martin) Waller
of Virginia. Judge W. W. Edwards, formerly United States District
Attorney and now Judge of the St. Charles Circuit, and his brothers,
State Senator Edwards and Maj. Janies Edwards, an officer in the
United States Senate, are sons of Henry and Sarah M. (Waller)
Edwards.

The Howell family were contemporaries with the Callaways, in
Callaway township. They came here in 1800. Three years before
that time they had located in St. Louis county, or in what is now the
county of St. Louis. When they came across into St. Charles,
three years afterwards, no “county” had of course been formed,
and it goes without saying that there was no Callaway township.
Francis Howell, Sr., was the founder of the family in this county.
He was the youngest of three sons, John and Thomas being the other
two, of John Howell, originally from Pennsylvania. John Howell,
Jr., removed to Tennessee, where he died, leaving a widow and four
children. Thomas lived in South Carolina until after the Revolu¬
tionary War. He married a Miss Bearfield. Meanwhile, before they
had grown to mature years, their father, John Howell, had removed

286

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

to North Carolina, where he died, and where the sons grew to
their majority.

Francis Howell, the youngest of the three sons, married Miss Susan
Stone, a daughter of Benjamin Stone, of South Carolina, and came
to the vicinity of St. Louis in 1797. In 1800 he came to St. Charles
county and settled on what was afterwards known as Howell’s Prairie,
in Callaway township. He built the second mill in the county, known
as the “ Band Mill.” This was the first mill erected north of the
Missouri river, except a small one at St. Charles. Years afterwards
he replaced his old mill with a new one, which was called the “ Cog-
Wheel Mill.” The difference in the names of the mills arose from
the fact that the first was run by a band and the second by a cog¬
wheel. His place was a noted resort in those early times. Musters
and drills were frequently held there, and Indian agents, in conduct¬
ing Indians to and from St. Louis, often stopped there for supplies.
He died in 1834 in the seventy-third year of his age, and his wife died
eight years afterwards.

They had 10 children : John, Thomas, Sarah, Newton, Francis, Jr.,
Benjamin, Susan L., Lewis, James S. and Nancy. John was married
three times and died in his eighty-seventh year, leaving nine children.
He was a Ranger in Capt. Callaway’s company. Thomas married
Susanna Callaway, a sister to Capt. Callaway, in whose company he
also served as a Ranger. Fourteen children were the fruits of their
union. Mr. H. died in his eighty-fifth year. Newton married the
widow of Raphael Long. They had 10 children, and he died in his
seventy-fourth year. Francis married Mrs. Polly Ramsey, widow, a
daughter of James and Martha Meek. He died in his eighty-second
year. He served two years as a Ranger, partly in Capt. Callaway’s
company and partly with Capt. Nathan Boone. He was also a colonel
of militia for about five years. Benjamin married Mahala Castlio and
they had 12 children. He was captain of a company of Rangers for
two years, and died in his sixtv-third year. Susan married Larkin S.
Callaway, a son of Flanders Callaway, and died at the age of thirty-
three, having been the mother of seven children. James S. married
Isabelle Morris, and died in his thirty-third year. Nancy was married
twice, first to Capt. James Callaway and after he was killed by the
Indians to John H. Castlio. Lewis received a classical education and
became one of the successful and prominent educators of this part of
the country. He married Miss Serena Lamme, of this county, a
great-granddaughter of Daniel Boone, and three of their six children
are living.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

287

Oglesby Young settled in Callaway township in 1829, and was a
grandson of William Young, who came from England to America and
settled in Halifax county, Va. He served as a soldier in the Amer¬
ican army during the Revolutionary War, and married Elizabeth
Stegale. They had eight children : Archibald, Marland, Milton, Pey¬
ton, Wiley, Samuel Francis and Judith. The first three were also
soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and Archibald settled in Kentucky.
The other two settled in Smythe county, Tenn., and Wiley settled in
East Tennessee. Samuel died in Virginia, and Francis and Judith
married and lived in that State. Peyton married Elizabeth Oglesby,
and of this union were Celia, George, Nancy, Oglesby, William,
Peyton, Elizabeth and Araminta. Oglesby married Jane Love, a
daughter of Robert and Esther (Bevan) Love, and came to Missouri,
making his home in Callaway township, of this county.

There are a large number of other old settlers, sketches of whose
families we would be glad to give, and some of whom are quite as
deserving of a place in this chapter as any we have mentioned. But
we were not favored with the facts for all of them. Those who are
omitted were left out, not through any desire of ours, but because it
was impossible to get the facts for all. We have presented only
sketches of those for which we were fortunate enough to obtain the
facts. But even if we had the necessary information for all, we could
not use them for want of space. To do otherwise would necessitate
the exclusion of valuable matter which ought not be omitted.

Probably the oldest living resident of the township is Mr. C. F.
Woodson. The other old residents are, or were (for some of them
are deceased), Robert Bailey, Henry Brandes, Preston McRoberts,
Samuel Cunningham, the McWaters, the Holts and the Hannahs, and,
indeed, a hundred others might be mentioned.

The people of Callaway township hold a worthy place among the
best people of the county. As a community they are law abiding
and peaceable, and as neighbors and friends hospitable and kind.
They are industrious and energetic, and most of them are comfortably
situated in life. Probably they do not have as many large property
holders among them as are to be found elsewhere, but on the other
hand fewer cases of want or abject poverty are met with here than
are usually observed in other communities.

Callaway township is essentially a farming community. Its people
live, principally, by the sweat of their brow and the independent and
honorable pursuit of agriculture. Their farms are usually not large,
but are closely cultivated and well managed. They have good schools,

288

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

good church accommodations, and are an intelligent, God-fearing
people. No one who goes among them can bring away, if his own
head and heart are right, any other recollections than those of pleas
ure and good will.

NEW MELLE.

New Melle is one of the most thriving villages in the county. It
is located in the midst of a rich farming country, in Callaway town
ship, eight miles from the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railway, and
twelve miles from the Missouri river. Samuel F. Cunningham, a
Virginian, located near the present site of the village in 1834, but
the town was not laid out until 1848. Ernst Bannerman was the first
settler on the town site of New Melle, arriving there in 1840.
Henry Hardach came about the same time, and yet resides near the
town. Franz Henry Porter secured a government grant for the land
upon which the town is built, erected the first house and practically
laid out the place. He died soon after 1848, leaving a large family,
many of whom still* reside in New Melle and vicinity. Conrad Wein-
rich, who yet resides there, passed through the place in 1837, but did
not locate permanently until 1851. He is now the oldest living
resident.

The town does a thriving trade, being supplied with all the neces¬
sary stores and a mill. Its location is high and dry, and consequently
healthy. The rich prairie soil to the north-east and north-west of the
town, has brought to the vicinity a class of well-to-do farmers, whose
presence guarantees to New Melle a prosperous career. There are
two churches here ; the town has the best of school facilities, and its
people are a cordial and hospitable community.

CHURCHES.

/St. John Evangelical Church — Located IV2 miles south-east of
Cappeln, was organized in 1843. The original members were: H.
Prickwinkle, H. Myers, J. H. Sleahberg, E. Kammier, H. W. Nedder-
meier, G. Kalaursmier and J. Koster. The membership at present is
33. The pastors who have administered to the spiritual needs of this
church have been J. C. Seybold, J. H. Buchmiler, J. M. Haepler, A.
Kittener, J. Becktold, A. Junion and G. Dornenburg Eilts. The
present church was built in 1864, a stone structure, at a cost of
$2,000. A Sunday-school of 35 scholars is superintended by E.
Eilts.

Pauldingville Congregational Church — Was organized March 3,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

289

1873, with Mr. R. J. Watson and wife, R. F. Kenner and wife, A. P.
Mills, A. L. Harris and wife, Samuel Cliff and wife and Jerry G.
Ahley as its original members. It is now composed of 35 members.
The names of the different pastors who have served this congregation
are as follows: Rev. J. S. Rounce, Rev. C. R. Dudley and Alanson
Bixby. The present frame structure was built in 1873, at a cost of
$1 ,600. The Sunday-school is composed of 56 scholars, the superin¬
tendent being J. H. Parsons. There is a prosperous temperance
literary society connected with the church. This was the first Con¬
gregational Church in St. Charles county.

New Melle M. E . Church — Was organized in 1871, its original
members being Henry Hackman, Joseph Giesmann, Joseph Sudbrock,
Frank Sudbrock, Joseph Reiske, William Nievey, Henry Welker and
J. W. Karrenbrock. The present membership numbers 43. The
pastors who have had charge of this church are William Simon,
Henry Miller, F. Seuyaser, John Suntmier, C. Stienmeir, Fritz
Koning and J. Froeschee. This church was built in 1878, it
being brick, at a cost of about $1,700. The scholars in the
Sunday-school number 35, their superintendent being J. W. Karren¬
brock.

St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church — Located at New Melle,
was organized in 1842. The original members were William Wulfe-
koetter, Fred Windhorst, Louis Stiegemeier, William Wanke and
William Meir. The present membership numbers 400. The pastors
who have served this church are H. Fick, A. Claus, Fred Ottman and
W. Matuschka, who is the present pastor. The present church was
erected for $3,500 in 1858, it being a stone structure. There are
75 scholars in the Sabbath-school.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

REV. A. BIXBY

(Pastor of the Congregational Church at Pauldingville).

Rev. Mr. Bixby has had charge of his present church at Pauld¬
ingville since the fall of 1883 and has become well known, not only
to the members of his own congregation, but to the people generally
of the community, as an earnest, pious minister and an able eloquent
preacher. He has achieved marked popularity at his present location

290

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

by his many estimable qualities, his manifest kindness of heart, his

earnest sincerity, and his untiring zeal in the cause of religion. He

has been for 38 years in the service of his Master as a Christian min-

ister, and has ever borne an irreproachable name, according to all
testimonies, for Christian piety and usefulness in the pulpit. Mr.
Bixby is a New Englander by nativity, born in Vermont (Windham
county), April 2, 1818. While he was yet in infancy his parents,
John and Rebecca Bixby, removed to the State of New York. His
father, originally from Connecticut, was a tanner by trade and after¬
wards followed that occupation in New York. He was not a wealthy
man, so that his son, the subject of this sketch, had no college advan¬
tages as he grew up. Young Bixby, however, received a good com¬
mon-school education which he subsequently greatly improved by
private study. Possessed of a mind much given to serious thought,
the question of the future life and of the relation of man to his Maker
early engaged his attention. He became fully convinced that there
must be a hereafter, beyond the darkness of the tomb, where the soul
finds a new and eternal light. Revolving in his mind this great ques¬
tion, the Revelations of the Scriptures brought to him its true solution
and he determined to henceforth square his life according to the pre¬
cepts and doctrines of the Bible, and not only to endeavor to so live
that he himself should see salvation when the end came, but to make
himself instrumental as a Christian minister in bringing others into the
way of life eternal. Uniting himself with the church, it was not a
great while before he began a course of study for the ministry.
Without means to attend a theological seminary, he was compelled to
study at home. He took a thorough course of study, covering a pe¬
riod of two years, and in 1848 was licensed to preach by the Wesleyan
Methodist Connection. In 1850 he was regularly ordained and began
preaching in Steuben county, N. Y. Five years later he went to
Alleghany county where he was engaged in the ministry for a period
of 18 years, consecutively. In 1873 Rev. Mr. Bixby was called to a
charge in Chautauqua count}' where he preached about six years. From
New York he then transferred the scene of his labors to Kansas, and
was engaged in the ministry in that State until his removal to St.
Charles county, in 1879. Meanwhile a change of views on questions
of discipline and church government had caused him to transfer his
connection from the Wesleyan Methodist denomination to the Con¬
gregational Church, in which he is now a minister. In 1837 Mr.
Bixby was married to Miss Cornelia, a daughter of Charles and Mar¬
garet Rowe, of Connecticut. They have reared four children : Lydia
A., now the wife of Rev. T. W. Spanswick of Bonne Terre, San Fran¬
cois county ; Nettie, now the wife of John Griassford, of this county;
Fred. D., who is married and a resident of Montgomery county; and
Lucy D., who died at the age of 21 on the 5th of last January, having
been an invalid all her life.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

291

HENRY A. BR ANDES

(Farmer, Post-office, Wentzville) .

It was in 1847 that Mr. Braudes came to America. He was then a
young man about 24 years of age. He had received a good education
in his native country, and had learned book-binding, expecting to make
that his regular calling ; but he learned on his arrival that there was
very little demand for such employment west of the Mississippi. On
the way over the ship on which he took passage had a rough sea to
encounter, and for over four months she was tossed about on the
bosom of the waters at the mercy of the wind and waves ; but at last
she pulled in at New Orleans, and he reached the shores of the New
World in safety. He came to St. Louis and resided in that city for
about four years. Young Braudes then came up to St. Charles
county, where he met one who to him appeared as fair as the evening
air clad in the beauty of a thousand stars. His heart was touched, and
from that moment forward his future seemed linked with hers, with
only happiness possible in the halo of her sweet influence and gentle,
lovely presence. To roughly cut a long and pretty story short,
courtship followed, resulting in a happy marriage. He then went to
work with a brave heart and willing hands to establish himself com¬
fortably in life, feeling as the happy years came and went that all the
world was resonant with the divine music of love. She was a Miss
Mary L. Meyer, a daughter of Charles F. and Agnes Meyer, formerly
of Germany. Mr. Brandes engaged in farming in St. Charles county,
and resided on the Femme Osage until 1857, when he removed to
his present place, which was formerly uncultivated land owned by
Mr. C. Stewart, who was at that time sheriff of the county, and the
country when Mr. Brandes settled here was almost a wilderness. His
place contains 240 acres, and he is comfortably situated in life. He
and his good wife have had eight children : Charles W. and Louis,
who are now merchants at Moscow Mills in Lincoln county ; Lizzette,
Minnie, Agnes, Louisa, Dora and Julia. Mr. and Mrs. Brandes are
members of the German Lutheran Church. During the war he served
in the Home Guard from the beginning until its close.

SAMUEL BURLINGAME

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Foristell).

For nearly 15 years Mr. Burlingame has been a resident of St.
Charles county. He has a good farm where he resides, of about 240
acres, and is successfully engaged in growing grain and raising stock.
Throughout his residence here he has borne the reputation of being a
citizen of the highest respectability, and is well spoken of by all his
neighbors and acquaintances. Though not many years from the
allotted age of three-score and ten, he is* still quite hale and active and
manages his farm affairs in person. Mr. Burlingame is a native of
Ohio, born in Morgan county, January 7, 1818. He was the second

292

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

sou of Josiah and Sarah Burlingame, his father from Rhode Island,

but his mother born and reared in Ohio. His father was a farmer and

school-teacher by occupation, and died in Ohio, July 1, 1875, in the

eighty-third year of his age. The mother also died there. Samuel

Burlingame, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native county,

and up to the age of 17 spent his youth engaged in farming, and in

attending school. He then apprenticed himself to the shoemaker’s

trade, which he learned and afterwards followed for about 40 years.

Mr. Burlingame came to Missouri in 1864 and located in Grundy

county, but shortly returned. In 1867, however, he came back to

this State and this time settled in St. Charles countv where he has

ever since resided. In 1839 he was married to Miss Lavina B.
Sprague, a daughter of Jonathan and Almira Sprague, from Maine and
Massachusetts, respectively. Mr. B.’s first wife died in 1848, leaving
two sons, both of whom lost their lives in the Union army during the
late war. He subsequently married Miss Eliza Grimm, a daughter of
John and Margaret Grimm, formerly of Ireland. By this union there
are three children: Josiah, married and a resident of this county;
Annie, wife of Louis Brandt, a merchant of Lincoln county, and Mary
M., the wife of James M. Avis. One besides is deceased; Dora the
wife of Stephen Dorse, left one child, Albert, at her death, a sprightly
little fellow, who is being reared by his grand-parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Burlingame.

AUGUSTIN GREEN, M. D.,

(Retired Physician, Parmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Poristell).

Dr. Green has been a resident of North-east Missouri for the last 45
years, over 40 years of which he has resided in St. Charles county.
He is well-known in this county as one of its worthy and highly
respected citizens, and has had a successful experience as a farmer. He
retired from the practice of medicine years ago, on account of ill-
health resulting from the hardships and exposures which it required.
Dr. Green has become comfortably situated as an agriculturist,
and has an excellent homestead of nearly half a section of land.
He has given his attention to raising stock in a general way, as well as
farming, and has found the former quite as profitable as the latter.
The Doctor is a Virginian by nativity, and is closely related through
both agnate and cognate descent, to some of the best families of the
Old Dominion. He is a first cousin to the late Gen. R. E. Lee,
whom Gen. Wolseley, commander-in-chief for actual-service of the
British army, recently declared to be the greatest general this
country has ever produced and one among the first generals of all his¬
tory. Dr. Green was born in Frederick county, Va., October 24,
1802. He was the third in the family of 10 children of Augustin and
Annie (Ball) Green, and was reared on his father’s homestead in
Frederick county. His father being a substantial citizen of Frederick
county, and in comfortable circumstances, the son was given good
school advantages. Having completed a course in the private schools

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY. 293

of the vicinity of where he lived, he was sent to Fort Cumberland
College, Md., where he studied under President Arnold D. Dake,
then recently of Yale College. After quitting Fort Cumberland Col¬
lege, young Green began the study of medicine and in due time
entered medical college at Lexington, Ky., where he took a regular
course of two terms and graduated in 1825. He then located at
Shawneetown, Ill. But his health failing in a short time, he went
to the State of Mississippi for a more equable climate. Somewhat
restored to health after a year’s residence in Mississippi, he then went
to Henderson county, Ky., and engaged in merchandising. From
Kentucky he returned to Virginia, and in 1834 was married to Miss
Emily E., a daugher of Harrison and Sarah (Kauffman) Wood. Dr.
Green continued the practice in Virginia until about 1839, when he
removed to Missouri and located at Marthasville, in Warren county.
Four years afterwards he settled in St. Charles county, where he has
ever since resided. Dr. Green has always occupied a position of de¬
served consideration and influence wherever he has lived. While a
resident of Henderson county, Ky., he served as sheriff of that county.
At Marthasville, in Warren county, he accepted the office of justice of
the peace, the duties of which he discharged with great satisfaction to
the community. In this county he has held or sought no official posi¬
tion, preferring rather to give his entire time and attention to his private
affairs and the interests of his family. He and his good wife have been
blessed with but one child, who is living, Austin W., who was born in
this county in 1850. He is married and resides on the homestead
with his parents. Four other children died at different ages, one,
Elizabeth, in 1882, at the age of 33, having been an invalid for nearly
20 years. The Doctor and wife are members of the M. E. Church
South.

F. H. LEIMBROCK

(Merchant and Postmaster, New Melle) .

Though born and reared in this country himself, Mr. Leimbrock is
of German-American parentage. His father was Frederick Leim¬
brock, and his parents were both natives of Hanover, where they
were reared and married. Thev came to this countrv in 1838, and
located at St. Louis. Four years later they came to St. Charles
county, and the father died here in 1854. The mother died the same
year, both of cholera. They have five children, three of whom are
living. Of these F. H. Leimbrock, the subject of this sketch, was
born June 15, 1843. Reared in this county, he was a youth when the
war broke out, but soon afterwards he nevertheless enlisted in the
Union service, and was out during most of the time of the war. His
youth, up to the age of 16, was spent on his father’s farm, but he
then engaged in clerking in a store. Subsequently he engaged in
merchandising for himself, and began business at New Melle in 1870.
He carrries a general stock of merchandise and has a good trade.
Mr. Leimbrock is also postmaster at New Melle. In 1866, August

294

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

12th, he was married to Miss Catherine Risker, a daughter of Joseph
and Elizabeth Risker. Mr. and Mrs. L. have three children : Alfred,
Oscar and Ella.

THOMAS H. LUCKETT

(Farmer, Post-office, Foristell).

Among the early settlers of St. Charles county were the parents of
the subject of the present sketch, William and Nancy Luckett, who
came here from Virginia, in 1835. The father died here in 1848, and
the mother in 1862. They came from Rappahannock county, Va.,
and Thomas H., then 23 years of age, came with them. He was
born in the county of Frederick, March 18, 1812, being the second in
their family of six children. Four years after the family settled
here, in 1839, he was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Edwards, a
daughter of Henry and Sarah Edwards, also from Virginia. After
his marriage Mr. Luckett settled on a farm in the neighborhood,
where he resided until 1855. He then removed to his present place,
and has resided on his farm for a period, now, of nearly 30 years.
He has a good place of over 200 acres, and is comfortably situated.
Mr. Luckett, a citizen of this county for nearly half a century, is
well known as a man whose life has been without reproach, and he is
esteemed by all around him as a kind neighbor and true friend. On
account of advanced years he has withdrawn from active work on the
farm, his son having succeeded him in carrying on the place, but he
still takes a worthv interest in the management of affairs and is of
material help in the successful conduct of the farm. He and his
good wife have reared eight children, namely: Sarah J., wife of
William H. Pritchett; Nancy L., wife of John D. Waller; Elizabeth
E., wife of Zachery Leaper ; William, who has charge of the farm;
Henry, who was wounded in the Confederate army at Pea Ridge,
and died soon afterwards, in his twenty-first year; Carr W., Susan
M. and Fenton E. Henry, mentioned above, was the eldest of the
children. Mr. and Mrs. Luckett are members of the M. E. Church
South. Mr. L. was a nephew of Maj. Combs, of the War of 1812.

HENRY NEDDERMEIER

(Farmer, Post-office, Foristell).’

Among the thrifty, substantial German-American farmers of Calla¬
way township is properly classed the subject of the present sketch.
Mr. Neddermeier has a good farm where he resides of nearly 400
acres, besides another place that he has rented out, and still another
tract of 80 acres. He commenced for himself without any means
whatever, and for a long time worked out as a farm hand. All he is
worth he has made by his own industry and intelligence. He was
born in Germany, October 30, 1822, and was the youngest in the
family of five children of Gabriel and Henriette Neddermeier, both
parents being now deceased. After receiving a common school educa-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

295

tion in Germany, he came to America in 1845 and located at St. Louis.
Thence he came to St. Charles county, where he worked as a farm
hand for Henry Becker for five years. In 1849 he was married to
Miss Henriette Toade, a daughter of William and Lizzie Frapa, for¬
merly of Germany. He then soon engaged in farming for himself,
renting land from his father-in-law. In a few years he bought a place,
on which he located and where he resided until about five years ago,
when he removed to his present farm, which he had also previously
purchased. Mr. Neddermeier’s first wife died in 1866, and afterwards
he was married to Mrs. Charlotte, a daughter of Charles and Cathe¬
rine Berfield, formerly of Germany. She was the widow of Frederick
Vogler, who died in 1865, leaving two children : Peter Vogler and
Annie, now the wife of John Meier. Mr. Neddermeier has four chil¬
dren : Frederick, Emma, Gustave and Wilhelmina. One died in
infancy, Frederick, and one besides in childhood, Charles. During the
war he served in the Home Guard militia from first to last.

OGLESBY B. YOUNG and WILLIAM O. OWEN

(Farmers and Stock-raisers, Post-office, Wentzville).

Mr. Young was one of the early settlers of St. Charles county. He
came here from Pittsylvania county, Virginia, as early as 1829. Mr.
Young first settled near Gilmore, where he engaged in farming, but in
1837, forty-seven years ago, he settled on the place where he now re¬
sides and where he has made his home continuously ever since. He
first bought 160 acres of land, but being an industrious, energetic
farmer and a good manager, he became able to add to that until he in¬
creased his landed estate to about 400 acres. He made a large farm
and for years was extensively engaged in raising grain and tobacco,
and in raising and dealing in stock. . He is now retiring from active
work, having some time ago turned the management of his place over
to his son-in-law, William O. Owen, the junior subject of this sketch.
Mr. Young was born in Pittsylvania county, Va., April 7, 1804. His
parents were Peyton and Elizabeth (Oglesby) Young, both of old and
highly respected Virginia families. The father was a member of the
Grand Lodge of the Masonic Order of Virginia. He was married in
1826 to Miss Jane Love, a daughter of Kobert and Esther Love, of
Pittsylvania county. Three years afterwards he removed to Missouri
with his family and settled in St. Charles county, as stated above.
His wife died here November 13, 1860, leaving eight children, viz. :
Milton J., Minter F., Margaret J., Oglesby, Julia A., Peyton, Martha
and Elizabeth. Three others died in infancy. Mr. Young is a mem¬
ber of the Masonic Order.

William O. Owen is also from Pittsylvania county, Virginia.
He was born there in 1838. Mr. Owen’s parents were Anderson and
Araminta Owen, his father a farmer by occupation. William O. was
reared on a farm and at the outbreak of the war, in 1861, he promptly
enlisted in the Southerm service, becoming a member of Co. B, Four-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

296

teenth Virginia volunteers. He was under Stonewall Jackson and
Gen. Longstreet, respectively, throughout the war. Mr. Owen was
in most of the leading battles of the entire struggle, including those
of Malvern Hill, the Peninsula, Drewey’s Bluff, first and second
Manassas, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, and many others. For gal¬
lantry he was several times promoted and rose from the ranks of a
private soldier to the position of first-lieutenant of his company. He
was wounded no less than six times, but had too much vital force to
give up the ghost and finally came through the war as good as half a
dozen ordinary men for any useful purposes. In 1866 he came to St.
Charles county, and here he met and the following year was married
to his present wife, who was a Miss Young, Mr. Young’s youngest
daughter, and as Mr. O. very naturally and properly thinks the fair¬
est of all the daughters of all the fathers throughout all the country
round about. Mr. and Mrs. O. have three children : Virgil A., Ogles¬
by B., and James B. One other, William B., died in infancy.

GEORGE PRICE

(Farmer, Post-office, Dardenne) .

Mr. Price is a worthy representative of the pioneer family of which
Mr. M. Price, the subject of a following sketch, descended, and is
a nephew of the former. He was born in this county August 31,
1837. Reared to a farm life, on the 30th of November, 1857, he was
married to Miss Marv Doree, a daughter of Louis and Rosa Doree.
Three children are the fruits of this union : Rosa, Ella and William.
Mr. and Mrs. Price are members of the Catholic Church.

JOHN G. L. ROHLFING

(Farmer, Post-office, New Melle).

Mr. Rohlfing is a native of Germany, born in Hanover in 1827,
and a son of Clemens A. and Margaretha (Leimbrock) Rohlfing.
Both parents are now deceased, the father having died in 1857, and
the mother in 1859. John G. L. Rohlfing, whose full baptismal name
is John Gustav Ludwig, was reared in Hanover and learned the wagon-
maker’s trade under his father. In 1852 he came to America and
located in St. Charles county. Here he engaged in farming, which
he has ever since followed. He was without means, so that he had
to rent ; and he continued renting until he was able to buy a place of
his own. Four years ago he bought a good farm of 246 acres, which
includes what is known as the Webb farm. His principle product is
wheat, of which he raises annually about 400 bushels. He also raises
considerable corn, however, and feeds hogs for the markets. He has
been quite successful, as the above facts show. In 1852 Mr. Rohlfing
was married to Miss Carrie Trisir, formerly of Prussia. Of this union
one child was reared, a daughter, Minnie, whose mother, however,
died in 1857. Mr. Rohlfing’s present wife was a Miss Clara Hensick,

297

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

also formerly of Prussia. They have seven children: Lizzie, Amelia,
Mary, John, Alvira, Caroline and Ada. One is deceased. Mr. and
Mrs. Rohlfing are members of the Evangelical Church. Minnie is the
wife of Henry Grear, of St. Charles ; Lizzie is the wife of Robert
Plagmeier, of this county ; Amelia is married to Herman Sanford, of
St. Charles ; and Mary is the wife of Henry Holscher, also of this
county.

CHAP TEE XII.

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.

Location and Area — Physical Features — Early Settlers — City of St. Charles — Post
Established — Village Incorporated — Board of Trustees Organized and the Village
Constituted a City — Advancement — Newspapers — Schools — Francis Duquette —
Bridge — Car Factory — Woolen Mills — Gas Company — Pork Bouses — Union
Fire Company — Tobacco — Foundry — Flouring Mills — Secret Orders — A. F. and
A. M. — I. 0. O. F. — A. O. U. W. — K. of H. — Order of Chosen Friends — Official
Record of the City from 1849 to 1884.

St. Charles township lies south-east of Portage Des Sioux, and con¬
tains about 90 square miles, including islands. The entire eastern
portion of the township borders upon the Missouri river, and the
corners of section one and two, touch the Mississippi, seven miles
west of St. Charles. The township is well adapted to agricultural
purposes, the soil, both bottom and upland, being excellent in quality,
and highly productive, the chief products being corn and wheat. A
majority of the settlers now are Germans ; 60 years ago the settlers
were mostly French. The farmers are generally thrifty, and their
improvements, though many ©f them very old, are neat and substan¬
tial. There are a few small, unimportant streams in the township,
and some fresh water springs ; among the latter is Cave spring, which
is quite a bold stream of water and located on the old farm of Judge
Daniel Griffith. There are other springs along the bluffs on the Mis¬
souri river. The timber in the township is still in great abundance.
Limestone rock is found almost everywhere, and is utilized for build¬
ing and other purposes. Coal was discovered nearly half a century
ago by Dr. Seth Millington, on his farm near the town of St. Charles.
A mine is now marked for the local trade, on land near St. Charles,
owned by E. C. Cunningham. There are numerous Indian mounds
still to be seen at Elm Point and other places. In this township
The Mamelles are located, two mounds that resemble the human
breasts. These mounds have an elevation of 150 feet and afford an
extensive view of a most beautiful country. Many years ago, a clergy¬
man was conducted by a friend to Les Mamelles , by the hill route,
leading through the woods. Emerging from the front, the vista
opened, disclosing to his astonished vision a scene of surpassing love-
(298)

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

299

liness. A beautiful level plain spread out before him for miles, east,
west and north, dressed in living green, variegated with many hued
prairie flowers ; the whole encircled by the bluffs of the two rivers,
whose crags and peaks, reflecting the rays of the evening sun, pre¬
sented the appearance of towns and villages and ruined castles. To
the north lay the Marais Croche lake, like an immense mirror set in
emerald. For a few moments the clergyman stood in mute astonish¬
ment. When he recovered his speech, he exclaimed, “ I have never
before seen anything that gave me a proper conception of the Promised
Land.” The Lev. Timothy Flint, in his “Ten Years’ Residence in
the Mississippi Valley,” says : “ Here is presented an imposing view
of the course of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, with their bluff’s
and towering cliff’s, their ancient meandering banks, the Marais Croche
lake, the mouth of the Illinois river, and the vast prairie dotted here
and there with farm houses.” 1

Thomas F. Bates was an early settler of Goochland county, Va.
He was a Quaker, but when the War of the Revolution commenced he
buried his religion in patriotism and became a soldier. He married
Caroline M. Woodson, and they had twelve children: Charles, Ma¬
tilda, Tarleton, Fleming, Nancy, Richard, James W., Sarah, Mar¬
garet, Susan, Frederick and Edward. Charles lived and died in
Virginia, where he became eminent in the profession of law. Matilda
married Capt. Gett, and died, leaving a daughter (Caroline M.) who
was adopted by her uncle, Edward Bates, and died in St. Louis.
Tarleton was killed in a duel at Pittsburg, Pa. Fleming lived in
Northumberland county, Va., of which he was county clerk. He left
several children at his death. Nancy married Thomas H. Walton,
who was killed by lightning. He left one son, Robert A., who came
to Missouri and married a daughter of Hon. Frederick Bates. Rich¬
ard studied law, but died young. He was an intimate friend of Gen.
Winfield Scott, and had the promise of becoming a distinguished man.
James W. lived and died in Arkansas. He was a delegate to Congress
from that Territory before its admission as a State. Sarah never
married, but came with her mother to Missouri in 1818. Mrs. Bates
died in 1845, aged 90 years. Margaret was married twice — first to
John Speers, and second to Dr. Orton Wharton, both of Virginia.
She was left a widow the second time, and came to St. Charles county,
Mo., in 1838. Susan died while a young lady, in Virginia. Fred¬
erick Bates was well educated and became a distinguished man.

1 Campbell’s Gazeteer.

300

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

President Jefferson appointed him Secretary of the Territory of Mich¬
igan, and about the commencement of the Aaron Burr conspiracy he
was transferred to Upper Louisiana, as Secretary of that Territory.
He afterward became Governor of the Territory of Missouri, and
was the second Governor of the State after its admission. He mar¬
ried Nancy Ball, a#daughter of Col. John S. Ball, who was a soldier
of the War of 1812. Mr. Bates died in 1825, leaving four children :
Emily C., Lucas Lee, Woodville and Frederick, Jr. During the
latter part of his life he resided in Lincoln county. His daughter,
Emily C., married Robert Walton, and is now living in St. Charles,
a widow. Lucas Lee married a daughter of Samuel Conway, and
lives in St. Louis county. Woodville died in his youth. Frederick,
Jr., married Lavinia Merideth, and died, leaving one child. His
widow married Samuel Conwav, who also died, and she then married
a Mr. Kerney. Hon. Frederick Bates was Governor of the Territory
of Upper Louisiana from May, 1807, to October, 1807 ; from Sep¬
tember, 1809, to September, 1810 ; from November 29, 1812, to De¬
cember 7, 1812 ; and he was Governor of the Territory of Missouri
from December 12, 1812, to July, 1813. He was elected second
Governor of the State of Missouri in 1824, and died in 1825, before
the expiration of his term. Edward Bates, brother of Frederick
Bates, served as a private soldier in the War of 1812, having enlisted
before he wTas of age ; but he was promoted to sergeant before the
expiration of his term. He settled in St. Charles county in 1814,
and on the 29tli of May, 1823, he was married to Julia D. Coalter,
daughter of Hon. David Coalter. They had seventeen children. Mr.
Bates was a man of a superior order of talents, and held many posi¬
tions of trust and influence during his life. He studied law under
Hon. Rufus Easton, and became eminent in his profession. He was

distinguished for a faithful and conscientious discharge of every duty
entrusted to him, whether great or small, and he possessed the con¬
fidence of all classes of his fellow-citizens in the very highest degree.
He represented St. Louis as a delegate in the first Constitutional Con¬
vention of Missouri ; served in the Legislature and State Senate for a
number of years, and was a member of Congress in 1826. At the
commencement of President Lincoln’s administration he was honored
with a seat in the cabinet as Attorney-General. He died in 1870, in
his seventy-sixth year.

Hiram Baber married a daughter of Jesse Boone. He was sheriff
of St. Charles county one term, and was a reckless, fun-loving sort
of a man. He built a brick residence in St. Charles, and carved over

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY. 301

the door, in large letters, “ Root Hog, or Die.,? He moved from St.
Charles to Jefferson City, and became one of the leading men of the
State. He made a great deal of money, and spent it as freely as he
made it. He would often, in braggadocio, light his pipe with bank
bills, to show how easily he could make money and how little he
cared for it.

The ancestors of the Coalter family, of St. Charles, were members
of the Presbyterian colony that settled in Augusta county, Va., at an
early date. From among them we have obtained the following
names: David, John, Polly, Jane and Ann. John was married four
times. His third wife was a Miss Tucker, sister of Judge Beverly
Tucker, and half sister of John Randolph, of Roanoke. They had
two children: St. George and Elizabeth. The latter married John
Randolph Bryant, of Fluvanna county, Va. David married Ann
Carmicle, of South Carolina, and the names of their children were
John D., Beveriy T., Maria, Catharine, Fanny, Caroline and Julia.
Polly married Judge Beverly Tucker, who became eminent as a jurist.
Jane married John Naylor, of Pennsylvania. They settled in Ken¬
tucky, but removed to Missouri in 1818. They had seven children,
James, John, William, Thomas, Caroline, Sophronia and Ann. The
boys all died about the time they were grown. Ann married a Mr.
Ward, of Kentucky. (Children of David Coalter.) John D. mar¬
ried Mary Meanes, of South Carolina, and settled in St. Charles
county, where he lived until two years prior to his death, when he
removed to St. Louis; He had but one child. Mr. Coalter was a
talented and influential attorney, and also a leading member of the
Legislature of his State. Beverly T. was a physician. He married
Elizabeth McQueen, of Pike county, where he resided. They had
three children, one son and two daughters. Dr. Tucker was a gen¬
tleman of fine business qualifications. Maria married Hon. William
C. Preston, of South Carolina, and died, leaving one daughter, who
died when she was about grown. Catharine married Judge William
Harper, of South Carolina, who removed to Missouri and became
judge of the Court of Chancery. They had several children, but
only one survives. Fannie married Dr. David H. Meanes, of South
Carolina. The Doctor removed to Missouri and remained a short
time, and then returned to South Carolina, where his wife died.
They had several children. Caroline married Hamilton R. Gamble,
of St. Louis. Thev had two sons and one daughter. Julia married
Hon. Edward Bates, and is now a widow, living in St. Louis. (Chil¬
dren of Jane Naylor nee Coalter.) Caroline Naylor married Dr.

302

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

William B. Natt. They removed to Livingston, S. C., where Dr.
N. died, leaving a widow and five children. Sophronia married James
W. Booth, of Pike county, Mo., who subsequently removed to St.
Louis, and became a commission merchant.

The father of John and George Collier lived in the State of New
Jersey, not far from the city of Philadelphia. He died when they
were quite young, and their mother being an energetic, industrious
woman, determined to do the best she could for herself and family.
She purchased two milk cows with the little money that her husband
had left her, and opened a small dairy. It was not long until she
owned and milked one hundred cows, and in a few years had accumu-
lated a handsome fortune. Desiring to come West, she sold her
dairy and other property, and, in 1815, came to St. Charles with her
two sons and $40,000 in cash. The two boys, being no less energetic
than their mother, supplied themselves with a small stock of goods,
and for several vears followed the tiresome and dangerous calling of
country peddlers, carrying their goods on their backs. They made
money, and in a few years opened a store in St. Charles. Here they
rapidly augmented their means, and, desiring to extend their business,
they established a branch store at Troy, in Lincoln county, and
shortly after another in St. Louis. Mrs. Collier bought a residence
in St. Charles, and kept several negro women busy making coarse
shirts and various other kinds of garments, which her sons sold in
their stores. She was a devoted Methodist, and as earnest and zeal¬
ous in her religion as in everything else. She always entertained the
Methodist ministers when they came to St. Charles, and kept a room
in her house exclusively for their benefit, no one else being allowed
to use it. In 1830 she had erected upon her own grounds the first
Methodist house of worship in St. Charles, which was occupied by
her congregation for religious services, free of rent. She also author-
ized the occupancy of the house as a common school-room, reserving,
by way of rent, the privilege of sending four pupils of her own selec¬
tion, at the then customary tuition price of $1 per month each.
The school progressed so satisfactorily that Mrs. Collier determined
to appropriate $5,000 to the building of a school house for Protest¬
ant children in the village ; and after giving the subject mature delib¬
eration, she broached it to her son George. He not only heartily
commended her plan, but desired to build the house himself — a larger
and better one than $5,000 would procure — and that his mother’s
donation should constitute an endowment fund for the institution.
This was agreed upon, and in 1834 the building, which has since been

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

303

known as St. Charles College, was erected, at a cost, including the
grounds, of $10,000. Beriah Cleland, well known to the older citi¬
zens of St. Charles, was the builder. The college was opened in
1835, under the presidency of Kev. John F. Fielding; and for many
years the president’s salary was paid out of Mr. Collier’s private
purse. The college prospered beyond expectation under the liberal
patronage of its generous benefactor, who gave in all fully $50f000
to the institution. George Collier did more for the cause of educa¬
tion in his adopted State than any other man, and has received but
little credit for it. The alumni of the college spread through Mis¬
sissippi, Louisiana, and the western part of this State, and opening
schools and other institutions of learning, diffused, the benefits of
science and knowledge throughout an immense extent of country.
Many of the leading men and educators of this State studied the
sciences under the roof of this parent institution. Mrs. Collier died
in 1835, but made provision in her will for the carrying out of her
part of the philanthropic enterprise. By some mistake the sum
donated by her was lost, but it was promptly replaced by her son,
and at his death, in 1852, he left an endowment of $10,000 for the
college, on condition that the county court of St. Charles county
donate a similar amount for the same purpose. The court complied
with the requirements of the will, and the college was promptly
endowed with $20,000. George Collier married Frize Morrison,
daughter of James Morrison, of St. Charles. She was a Catholic,
and according to the rules of her church, could not be married by a
Protestant minister ; but Mr. Collier, refusing to be married by a
priest, the ceremony was performed by Judge Benjamin Emmons.
Mrs. Morrison wanted her daughter to be re-married by a priest of
her church, but Mr. Collier objected, saying that he was married well
enough to suit him, and then added, good-humoredly, that if she
wanted her daughter back again, she could take her. But the old
lady concluded to let the matter drop, and said nothing more about
the second ceremony.

Daniel Colgin was a tailor by trade, and settled in St. Charles
county’ (where the poor-house now stands) in 1806. He made a deep
cellar under his log cabin, and placed a trap-door in the floor, just in¬
side of the door, and every night when he went to bed his trap-door
was unfastened, so that if the Indians attacked the house and broke
the door open they would fall into the cellar. He also kept an ax
and a sledge hammer near his bed, to use in tapping Indians on
the head ; but his house was never attacked, and his ingenious con-

304

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

trivances were never brought into use. In 1812 he removed to St.
Charles and opened a tailor’s shop in that town. Here he dressed
deer skins and manufactured them into pants and hunting shirts, from
which he derived a comfortable income. In 1814 he was elected
justice of the peace, and made a rather eccentric officer. (Some
of his official acts are noticed under the head of “ Anecdotes and
Adventures.”) His dwelling-house and shop were one and the
same, and there was but one window in the house, which contained
only two panes of glass. The old gentleman kept a pet bear
chained in his yard, and the boys of the town used to torment the
poor beast until it would become furious. One day while they
were teasing the bear it broke the chain and ran the boys all off the
place. After that they let the bear alone. Colgin’s wife was a native
of Kentucky, and his daughters were said to be the prettiest girls in
St. Charles.

Rev. James Craig married a daughter of Col. Nathan Boone. He
was a Hard-Shell Baptist preacher, and preached and taught school in
St. Charles for several years. He baptized, by immersion, in the
Missouri river the first person that ever received Protestant baptism
in St. Charles. The candidate was a colored woman named Susan
Morrison. Daniel Colgin assisted Mr. Craig to perform the ceremony
by wading out into the river and measuring the depth of the water
with his cane, singing as he went —

“We are going down the river Jordan,

As our Savior went before.”

Revs. John M. Peck and Timothy Flint were present, and joined in

the singing.

William Christy, Sr., and William Christy, Jr., were cousins, and
natives of Pittsburg, Pa. In 1800 the elder settled in St. Louis,
where he opened a hotel and made a fortune. The younger was
quartermaster for the troops at Bellefontaine during the "War of 1812,
and after the return of peace he settled in St. Charles and went into
the mercantile business, which he followed for two years. He then
went into politics, and was at different times clerk of the county and
circuit courts. He was also receiver and county treasurer and clerk
of the Supreme Court. He married Constance St. Cyr, of St. Charles,
and they had nine children: William M., Ellen, Leville, Martha
T., Israel R., Mary A., Eliza, Louise and Clarissa. Mrs. Christy was
well educated, and did a great deal of writing for her husband. They
also kept boarders while the Legislature sat in St. Charles, and had so

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

305

much patronage that they were compelled to hire beds from their
country friends for the accommodation of their guests. They paid
25 cents a week for the beds. Mr. Christy had an apple tree in his
yard that bore 40 bushels of apples one summer, and his son, William
M., who was a little fellow at the time, sold them on the street and to
the members of the Legislature at 25 cents per dozen, thus reaping a
handsome income from the one apple tree. William M. Christy is. still
living in St. Charles. He served as sheriff and deputy sheriff of the
county for 16 years, and organized the first express company in St.
Charles. He acted as express agent for 10 years.

Walter Charleswortb, of England, being captivated by the glowing
tales of life in the New World, ran away from his parents at the age
of 18 years and came to America. He remained a while at Wheeling,
Ya., and then went to St. Charlesville, in Ohio, where he engaged in
shipping pork to New Orleans and the West India Islands. He mar¬
ried Mary A. Young, and in 1827 he came to St. Charles, Mo. They
had two children: Walter J. and Eliza. The latter died, but the
former is still living in St. Charles. Mrs. Charlesworth died sometime
after the removal to St. Charles, and her husband subsequently mar¬
ried Mary St. Louis, of Canada, who died, leaving no children.
Charles Charlesworth, a brother of Walter, came from England with
his wife in 1840 and settled in St. Charles. Here his wife went blind
and subsequently died, when he started on his way to England and died
at New Orleans. They had six children: George, Martha, Ann,
Charles, Mary and Hannah.

Peter Conoier was a Frenchman, and settled on Marais Croche lake
at an early date. He was very fond of hunting wild hogs, which he
lassoed, being so expert in that art that he could throw the lariat
over any foot of the hog that he chose, while it was running at full
speed. He was married three times, and had several children. One
of his sons, named Joseph, while going to school, was chastised
by the teacher for some misdemeanor, and the old gentleman
was greatly incensed thereat. He determined to whip the teacher
in turn, and went to the school-house next morning for -that
purpose. Arriving at the school-house, he drew his knife out and
began to whet it on his foot, whereupon the teacher drew his knife,
and invited him to “ come on,” if that were his game. But conclud¬
ing that discretion was the better part of valor, he put up his knife,
bade the teacher a polite good morning, and went home.

Andrew Davidson, of Kentucky, came to Missouri in 1811, but
returned in 1813, and married Sarah Johnson. In 1830 he came

306

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

back to Missouri and settled in St. Charles county. His children
were Susan, Greenberry, William, Angeline, Eliza J., Salome and
John. The old gentleman was a great friend of the Indians, and in
order to manifest his good feelings he kept a lot of tobacco with
which he would fill their pouches, when they stopped at his house.
One of his sons, a mischievous lad, poured a pound of gunpowder into
the tobacco, and several of the Indians got their faces and noses burnt
in attempting to smoke it. This, of course, was taken as a mortal
offense, and it was with the greatest difficulty that Mr. Davidson
kept the Indians from killing himself and family.

Rev. Timothy Flint, a Presbyterian minister, of Connecticut, set¬
tled in St. Charles in 1816. He was an educated man and devoted
much of his time to literature. Several interesting works were writ-
ten by him ; but in many instances he allowed his vivid imagination
to lead him aside from the facts of history, and his writings are not
to be relied upon in regard to accuracy. A number of his imaginary
sketches of Daniel Boone have been accepted as true, and copied
into leading histories of the country. One of these, representing a
desperate hand-to-hand contest between Boone and two savages, in
which the former slays both his antagonists, has been represented in
marble and adorns the Capitol at Washington City. But the incident
originated wholly in Mr. Flint’s imagination. He was also a poet.
He organized a church in St. Charles, and performed a great deal of
laborious missionary work in different parts of Missouri and Illinois,
supporting his family by teaching and preaching. In teaching he
was supported by his wife, who was a highly educated and accom-
. plished lady. He opened a farm on Marais Croche lake, where he
raised cotton and made wine from wild grapes. After residing in St.
Charles county a number of years, he went South and died there.

John Johnson, of Tennessee, settled on “the point” below the
town of St. Charles, in 1805. His father was killed by the Indians
when he was a small boy, and he grew up with a natural antipathy to
the race. He became a noted Indian fighter, and never let an oppor¬
tunity pass to slay a red man. On one occasion, while the people
were collected in the forts, during the War of 1814, he saw an Indian
hiding behind a log not far from the fort, disguised as a buffalo, with
the hide, to which the horns were attached, thrown over his body.
The disguise was so transparent that Johnson had no difficulty in pen¬
etrating it, and he at once decided to give the Indian a dose of lead
for the benefit of his health. So he cautiously left the fort, and mak¬
ing a wide circuit, came in behind the savage, who was intently watch-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

307

ing for an opportunity to pick off some one of the inmates who might
come within range of his gun. But a ball from Johnson’s rifle put
an end to his adventures here, and sent him speeding on his way to
the happy hunting grounds of the spirit land. For more than five
years after his removal to Missouri Johnson dressed in the Indian
garb, and never slept in a house, preferring to repose in the open air
with nothing but the heavens for a shelter. He was 37 years of age
when he came to Missouri, and when the Indian War commenced he
joined the company of rangers commanded by Capt. Massey, and was
stationed for some time at Cap-au-Gris, on the Mississippi river.
Before he left Tennessee he was married to Nancy Hughlin, of Nash¬
ville, and they had six children: Daniel, Elizabeth, Levi, Dorcas,
Evans and Susan. Daniel married Susan Smelzer. Elizabeth mar¬
ried Asa Griffith. Levi married Esther Bert. Dorcas married Thomas
Fallice. Evans was married four timps : first, to Susan Miller ; second,
to Susan Sullivan ; third, to Angeline Lefaivre ; and fourth, to Sarah
M. McCoy. Susan married William Roberts.

Jacob Kibler, Sr., a native of Virginia, settled in St. Charles in
1820. He married Victoire Cornoyer, who was born in St. Charles,
and belonged to one of the old French families. Their children were
George, William, Jacob, Jr., Catharine and Louis. George died at
the age of 12 years. Jacob, Jr,, married Mary L. Drury, who died
in 1873. Mr. Kibler has been identified with the press of St. Charles
during the greater portion of his life. He was one of the founders of
the Chronotyjpe , also of the Democrat , one of the oldest German papers
in the State, now owned and published by Mr. J. K. Bode. Arnold
Krekel, now judge of the U. S. District Court, was editor of the
Democrat during Mr. Kibler’s connection with the paper. Catharine
Kibler died young. Louis resides in Virginia. In the early days of
St. Charles, Jacob Kibler, Sr., was a hatter and dealer in furs. He
died in September, 1875, at the advanced age of 85, his wife having
preceded him to the grave by several years.

Joseph Louis, a Frenchman, settled in St. Charles county during
the Spanish administration. He married Nancy Biggs, daughter of
John Biggs, of Virginia, who also settled in Missouri during Spanish
rule. They had one son, James, who was born in 1806. He married
Elizabeth Gross, of Kentucky, and they had 15 children. After the
death of Joseph Louis his widow married Edward Smith, and they
had four children : Randall, Francis, Mildred and Lucinda.

Thomas Lindsay and his family lived in Scotland. The names of
his children were Thomas, Jr., James, John, Martha, Mary, Ann

308

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

and Jane. James was married in Scotland to Charlotte Kettray, and
came to America and settled in St. Charles county, in 1817. His
children were William, Ann, Thomas, James, Jr., John, Agnes and
Isabella. Ann married John H. Stewart, and settled in Carroll
county. Agnes married Addison McKnight, of Tennessee, who set¬
tled in St. Charles county in 1817. His mother settled in Missouri
in 1800. She was a very brave and resolute woman, and killed
several Indians during her life. On one occasion she had a horse
stolen, which she followed forty miles, alone, found it and brought it
back home. Mr. McKnight was the owner of McKnight’s Island on
the Mississippi river. Isabella Lindsay married Nathaniel Reid, of
Virginia, who settled in St. Charles county in 1839. Mr. Reid was a
carpenter and contractor, and built the Insane and Blind asylums,
and Westminster College at Fulton. William Lindsay died a bach¬
elor in St. Charles county. Thomas married Margaret Garvin, and
was drowned in 1841, leaving a widow and five children. James was
married first to Jane Black, of Virginia, and after her death he mar¬
ried the widow of Dr. Benjamin F. Hawkins, whose maiden name
was Sarah Fleet. Mr. Lindsay is an intelligent gentleman, and we
are indebted to him for many interesting items of family history.
John Lindsay married Mary Stewart, of Monroe county, Mo.
Thomas Lindsay, Jr., settled in America in 1800, and in St. Charles
county in 1816. He married Margaret Beckett, of South Carolina.
John, son of Thomas Lindsay, Sr., settled in South Carolina, where
he died. Ann, his sister, married Peter Glendy, of South Carolina,
and settled in St. Charles county in 1817. The names of their chil¬
dren were James, Ellen, Thomas, Ann and Andrew.

James C. Lackland, a native of Montgomery county, Md., came to
Missouri in the fall of 1833, and brought his family, consisting of his
wife and nine boys. He settled first near Florissant, in St. Louis
county, but in 1835 he removed to St. Charles, where he engaged in
the saw-mill business until within a few years previous to his death,
which occurred in July, 1862, at the age of 71 years. Mr. Lackland
was a model man and citizen, and made friends of all who became
acquainted with him. The names of his boys were Richard, James,
Jeremiah, Augustus T., Benjamin F., Eli R., Norman J., Henry C.,
and Charles M. Jeremiah died the first year after the arrival of the
family in Missouri, sometime between his sixteenth and twenty-first year.
Benjamin F. was killed in St. Charles, at the age of 21, by P. W.
Culver, who was intoxicated at the time. Culver was tried and sen¬
tenced to the penitentiary, but was pardoned without serving his

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

309

term. Norman J. and Charles M. live at Mexico, Mo., the former
engaged in the mercantile business, and the latter in the cattle trade.
Eli is chief clerk of the Scotia Iron Mines, near Leasburg, Crawford
county, Mo. Henry C. is a prominent attorney at St. Charles. He
was Professor of Mathematics in St. Charles College from 1856 to
1859, and also taught classes in Greek and Latin. He held the posi¬
tion of School Commissioner from 1859 until the office was abolished.
In 1875 he was elected a member of the State Constitutional Conven¬
tion for the district composed of the counties of St. Charles, Warren
and Lincoln, receiving almost the unanimous vote of the district.
Only eight votes were cast against him in his own county. He was
one of the leaders of that able body of men, and made an enviable
record for himself as a legislator and parliamentarian.

CITY OF ST. CHARLES.

In April, 1769, Louis Blanchette, by virtue of authority given him
by the Governor of Upper Louisiana, established a post at this place
under the Spanish government, and became, and continued for many
years to be, its first civil and military Governor. The village was
called Petite Cotes (Little Hills), and was so called for a long time.
Blanchette died about 1793, and was succeeded by Charles Tayon,
whose descendants still dwell among us. He remained in command
till 1802, when he was succeeded by James Mackay, who was com¬
mandant of the post of St. Charles when it was delivered over to the
United States under the purchase made by President Jefferson from
the First Napoleon.

Of course, in those early days and in the circumstances then sur¬
rounding all this Western country, the progress of the village was
slow. In 1781 there were but half a dozen houses here, and the suc¬
ceeding 10 years only doubled their number, and those who inhabited
them did so by the sufferance of the wild Indian. But gradually the
march of that incroachment which had steadily pushed back the son
of the forest from Plymouth Kock reached this wild region, and the
red man was compelled to recede before his white brother — if such he
can be called. Those who first came engaged in a mode of life scarce
less wild and roving than that of the savage whose country they had
invaded, employing themselves in hunting, fishing, trapping and other
congenial frontier pursuits.

It was customary for the government to grant a lot in the village
for residence, and a tract of land near by for cultivation, to each head
of a family, with a larger tract in common to all the villagers for
pasturage and wood.

310

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

The original petition of the villagers of St. Charles for a grant of
commons was made January 11, 1797, and was answered favorably
by Don Zeno n Trudeau, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Louisiana,
January 23, 1797. A curious fact crops out in the Governor’s answer,
which may be of interest. He says :

Having been informed that the land asked for to get some timber is
by no means lit for cultivation, being subject to be overflowed every year ,
and that the timber that is on this land is good for nothing else but for
fuel, and might be renewed in a short time, and not being subject to
a total destruction like those that are on the rising hills, which ex¬
perience has taught us will never rise up again , and the above lands
lying in close proximity to the village of St. Charles and the different
prairie land dependent on the same, they would be under the necessity
of going to a great distance to procure firewood ; therefore, the tract
is granted.

The Commons were first enclosed about 1791. As late as 1800
there was a Water street along the river bank, with a small row of
small buildings, the lots running back to Main street. The archives
of 1799 make the first mention of Second street, and those of 1800
first mention Third street.

The earliest deliberative body or general assembljr of the village, of
which a record has come down to us, was held early in 1801. This
assembly was held on a Sunday, at the request of the Syndic of the
parish, and after notice had been given by Mr. Tayon, the com¬
mandant of the post, for the purpose of determining whether or not
the Commons below the village should be fenced. The record states
that “ all the inhabitants being present,” and the question being sub¬
mitted to them, they unanimously agreed that the lower Commons
should be fenced, and the document is signed by twenty-three persons,
and that number was no doubt the exact number of families then con¬
stituting the village population.

The village was first incorporated under the laws of the Territory,
October 13, 1809, by the Court of Common Pleas of the District of
St. Charles, Alex. McNair (afterwards the first Governor of the State
of Missouri), and Dr. Reynal, being the first commissioners or trus¬
tees.

As no record of their doings in the government of the village has
survived the iron tooth of time, we may suppose that their adminis¬
tration was satisfactory, as was evidently that of their successors nine
years later — the next entry being March 16, 1818. Pursuant to
notice, an election was held for trustees of the town of St. Charles,
and it appearing by the returns that Charles Phillips, Osborn Knott,
Chas. Tayon, James Morrison and Baptiste Brugiere were duly

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

311

elected* the board “ met on the 23d instant, and, having passed sev¬
eral ordinances , adjourned.

There are numerous entries of like character with the last, some¬
times the subject of the ordinance being given, but never its provi¬
sions, in process of time four trustees being elected to manage the
corporate affairs. April 30, 1825, Ruluff Peck, chairman of the
board, resigned his chairmanship and trusteeship, leaving Prospect K.
Robbins, Antoine Janis and George Collier, trustees, who elected
George Collier, chairman, and appointed Wm. G. Pettus, secretary,
and Andrew Wilson, treasurer ; and the secretary was ordered to
settle with the former treasurer, and turn over the assets of the town
to the new treasurer, as soon as the latter should have given bond.

From this time for several years the town seems to have gone into
winter quarters, or to have had a quarter of a Rip Van Winkle sleep.
There is not a syllable of record for five years ; but on the 16th day
of April there seems to have been an awaking out of sleep, for on
that day a new board of trustees was organized by the election of a
chairman and the appointment of a clerk and treasurer, and the new
clerk was ordered to settle with Andrew Wilson, former treasurer, who
had been appointed to that office five years before.

Under this form of government, the municipal affairs were con¬
ducted until the town was incorporated as a city. The original charter
of the city was passed by the General Assembly and approved March
10, 1849, and in due time submitted to the people for ratification or
rejection. The people having approved the charter, an election under
its provisions was held May 7, 1849, and the first mayor and council-
men were sworn into office and organized the city government May 14,
1849. In its history of 24 years as a city, 11 gentlemen have been
honored with the mayorality, one man having served the city 6
years in that office.

Since its incorporation as a city, St. Charles has advanced much
more rapidly than before. A comparison of the following figures will
show its progress in the way of material prosperity : —

Assessed Value of

Years. Property in City. Taxes.

1849 . $ 192,270 $ 1,076 35

1850 245,855 1,508 28

1855 533,159 3,767 02

1860 794,720 6,429 94

1865 1,069,295 11,126 95

1870 1,370,666 14,171 66

1871 1,580,502 16,277 02

1872 2,167,727 22,178 27

31 2

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

These figures need no comment and no elaboration. The tale they
tell is so plain, straight-forward and practical that they must carry
conviction to all who examine them, showing a degree of development
that is surprising even to those who have been witnesses of its growth.
They show no mushroom life, which, like Jonah’s gourd, coming up
in a night must wither in a day ; but a steady, continuous increase
which gives sure promise that what it attains unto it will assuredly
hold.

Since 1872 St. Charles, as it had prior to that time, has had a
steady and substantial growth, both in the valuation of property and
the general improvement of the place. Many handsome and valuable
buildings have been erected and important public improvements have
been made. The city is well lighted with gas, the streets are graded
and macadamized, and waterworks have been constructed which supply
an abundance of water.

The manufacturing interests are developing into importance, and
considering the advantages of the place for manufactories, it is not
improbable that St. Charles will become one of the important manu¬
facturing centers in Missouri. As a market for farm products it has
already taken high rank among the principal interior places of the State.
Especially is this true in regard to wheat. St. Charles county, as we
have noted elsewhere, is the principal wheat producing county of
Missouri. In 1880 the wheat crop of the State was 24,966,627
bushels. Of this St. Charles county produced 1,124,518 bushels, or
over 115,000 bushels more than any other county, St. Louis coming
next, the product of which was 908,838 bushels. St. Charles is also
an important trade center for cheese, of which this county is one of
the principal producers. The product of St. Charles county in 1880
was 10,100. There were but four other counties in the State the
products of which exceeded this. The general business of St. Charles
is very large, considering the population of the place, and the fact
that it is so near to St. Louis ; and it is a fact worthy of remark that
there have been fewer failures here in the last ten years than any other
city, not exceeding it in population, in the State.

NEWSPAPERS.

While St. Charles was the temporary seat of government, a news¬
paper, called The Missourian , was published there by Robert McCloud,
a practical printer, and step-son of Joseph Charless, Sr., one of the
founders of the Missouri Republican. This was succeeded by the
Clarion , which was established by Nathaniel Patton, of Howard

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

313

county, and published by him until his death, which occurred in 1837.
After his death the paper was continued by his widow, under the
editorial management of Hon. Wm. M. Campbell. (Mrs. Patton
subsequently married Wilson B. Overall.) The paper then passed
successively to Messrs. Julian & Carr, as the Clarion, in 1839; to
Berlin & Knapp, as the Free Press , in 1840; to Overall, Julian &
Carr, as the Advertiser , in 1842 ; to Douglas & Millington, as the
Western Star , in 1846 ; to Orear & Kibler, as the Chronotype , in
1849; to Orear & McDearmon, in 1852 ; to N. C. Orear, in 1853 ; to
King & Emmons, as the Reveille , in 1854 ; to Hinman & Branham,
in 1856 ; to Hinman, in 1858 ; to Edwards & Stewart, in 1865 ; to
Emmons & Orrick, as the Cosmos and Sentinel , in 1867 ; and to W.
W. Davenport, as the Cosmos , in 1868. This paper, therefore, run¬
ning back through several suspensions, and numerous changes of
name and proprietors, is, perhaps, the oldest paper in the State, ex¬
cept the Missouri Republican.

The St. Charles News was originally started at Wentzville, in this
county, about seven years ago, by William S. Bryan, now of the
Montgomery Standard ; but having developed into something requir¬
ing greater facilities, the office was removed to St. Charles and the
publication continued under its present name. It passed afterwards
into the possession of Edwards & Bryan, King, Keithley & Co., F.
C. King & Co., and lastly James C. Holmes [See page 221]. The
office is valued at $5,000. There are several presses in the office
used also for job work.

The Wahre Fortschritt (True Progress) was a German newspaper,
Kepublican in politics, but did not have a very long life. It was
published by the Fortschritt Association, and devoted to politics and
the general interests of the county.

The Democrat, also a German paper, is owned by Mr. John H.
Bode, who has quietly and gradually worked himself into a good
business. The office is valued at $10,000. There are two job presses,
one hand press, one cylinder press, run by a 3-horse power engine. The
Democrat is Democratic in politics. It has passed into its thirty-third
year, and is said to be the only German newspaper in Missouri that
has been published continuously for that length of time.

At the Democrat office is also printed the Friedensbote (Messenger
of Peace), the denominational paper of the German Evangelical Synod.
It is now in its twenty-third volume. It was first published in Femme
Osage township, in this county, whence the office of publication was

314

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

removed to St. Louis, and afterwards to St. Charles, where it has
been issued for several years. It has a circulation of 8,000 copies and
constantly on the increase.

Thus there are four newspapers printed in St. Charles, representing
the various phases of political opinion, with one whose sphere is
entirely beyond the pale of politics.

They all seem to be prospering, and as county papers working
together, when need be, for the common weal, we hope they may grow
with the growth, and strengthen with the strength of the city and
county.

The circulation of the St. Charles newspapers is over 11,000 copies.

SCHOOLS.

From our review of the churches it is natural to expect that a
fair showing would be made in the line of schools. People who put
their hands in their pockets to build churches for themselves are very
apt to prepare for the intellectual and moral culture of their children.

In 1835 Mrs. Catherine Collier and her son, George Collier, founded
St. Charles College, the latter purchasing the grounds and erecting
the necessary buildings at a cost of $10,000, and the former setting
apart $5,000 for an endowment fund. In 1836 the College was
opened under the presidency of Rev. John H. Fielding, he being
assisted in the conduct of the college by three professors, Mr. Collier
for many years paying the president’s salary out of his own means.
In 1838, the college having become incorporated, Mr. Collier conveyed
the property to the corporation.

By a subsequent act of the Legislature the institution was in a
measure placed under the control of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. In 1852 Mr. Collier died, leaving a provision in his will that
whenever that church should deposit with the county court of St.
Charles county $10,000 in the bonds of any State that had never
repudiated its public debt, nor failed in the prompt payment of the
interest on its public debt, for the use and benefit of the college, then
his executors were to deposit a similar amount of similar bonds for
the same use and benefit. The provisions of Mr. Collier’s will were
complied with, and the deposit of $20,000 in Missouri State bonds
made with the St. Charles countv court : and the court holds the bonds
in trust now, and the interest arising from them is applied for the
benefit of the college. By some blunder the $5,000 donated as an
endowment by Mrs. Catherine Collier were lost, but were promptly

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

315

restored by her son, George Collier, who placed the same amount in
the hands of Hon. Trusten Polk for the like benefit as the original
amount.

Under this organization and with these resources the college was
kept in active and successful operation, under the presidency of
Fielding, Ebbert, Anderson and others, until 1831. During the war,
for the most part, its doors as a college were closed, the building being
used for other purposes, until, by act of the Legislature, it passed to
the control of other parties. The college, with all its privileges, was
afterwards restored, by a decree of the Supreme Court, to its former
owners, who have maintained the institution as a college. Though
St. Charles College has never been one of the great ones in the earth,
it has been eminently useful. The writer remembers with pleasure
the days he spent within its walls, in preparation for the battle of life ;
and can recall the names of many of the sons of St. Charles College
now filling honorable positions in various departments of human effort
and usefulness.

L1NDENWOOD COLLEGE.

[Contributed] .

It is said that in 1829 Maj. Geo. S. Sibley, connected with the army
service, was bondsman for a friend to the amount of $20,000. The
friend failing, the Major had to meet the obligation. The only piece
of property that could be secured from the friend was 120 acres ad¬
joining St. Charles.

This the Major and his wife came to see, and as they stood upon the
brow of the hill overlooking the town and a widespread and beautiful
landscape, they resolved that upon this spot they would lay the founda¬
tion of a school for young ladies. Accordingly, the following year,
a log cabin was erected and the school opened with promises of speedy
enlargement.

They called it “ Lindenwood,” from its beautiful grove of large
linden trees. The land rises with a gentle ascent from the river till it
reaches the college, which crowns the summit, the altitude being
about 150 feet above the Missouri river.

Its ample grounds, groves and gardens afford abundant space for
exercise and recreation, and the experience of more than 50 years fully
attest its heathfulness.

Soon after its opening the Lord brought its founders to the feet of
Jesus, and henceforth their ambition was to honor Him in establishing
a Christian college ; but it was not until 1853 that their plans assumed
definite shape.

316

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Ill the meantime the school, under their wise management, had
grown in numbers and influence. The log cabin had been added to
from year to year until the building could accommodate about 50
pupils. Many young ladies were educated under the roof of this
Christian home and sent out to fill honorable positions in society.

Maj. Sibley and his wife found sympathizers and helpers in Judge
and Mrs. S. S. Watson, who nobly and generously came forward to
aid in laying the foundation of a permanent institution.

In 1853 (January 5th), Messrs. Sibley and Watson, in a formal let¬
ter, tendered to the Presbytery of St. Louis valuable gifts of land and
money. The former offered the whole of his Lindenwood estate,
comprising 120 acres, and valued at not less than $30,000. The last
named gentleman offered to give 160 acres of land and $1,000, equal
to $5,000, provided the Presbytery of St. Louis would in six months
raise $20,000 for the erection of suitable buildings. Subsequently,
Judge Watson gave $5,000 unconditionally. A charter was obtained
in February, 1853, by which the control of the college was placed in
the hands of 15 directors, appointed by the Presbytery of St. Louis*

On the 22d day of May, 1856, a contract was made for a new and
commodious building, and on the 4th of July the corner-stone was
laid with imposing ceremonies. The building was completed in July,
1857, being three stories high, and 73 by 48 feet.

Rev. A. V. C. Schenck was elected president, and the college opened
with flattering prospects on September 6, 1857. Mr. Schenck served
with acceptance until his resignation in June, 1862.

Rev. Thomas P. Barbour was elected president July 26, 1862, and
served until December, 1864.

Mr. French Strother served as president from July, 1866, to 1869.

During these years and until the reorganization in 1870, the college
greatly suffered from the contentions incident to the Civil War.

In 1870, the property having been decided by the Supreme Court

as belonging to the General Assembly of the North, it was placed

under the control of the Svnod of Missouri.

•/

Rev. J. H. Nixon, D.D., was elected president, and ample means
secured for refitting and equipping the building. During his presi¬
dency, ending June, 1876, the college attained a high degree of
prosperity.

During the following four years (1876-1880) Miss Mary E. Jewell
presided over the college, aided by an able corps of teachers.

In June, 1880, Rev. Robert Irwin, D. D., of St. Louis, was elected
president, and entered with earnestness upon the work of enlarging

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

317

and reorganizing the college. It was found at the beginning of the
year that the accommodations were too limited for the many applicants
who sought admission, and efforts were at once commenced for the
erection of an additional building. The friends of the College in St.
Louis generously came to the help of the enterprise, so that in Sep¬
tember, 1881, a commodious wing, costing about $14,000, was fully
completed and occupied. The capacity has been taxed to the utmost,
and additional buildings are found a pressing need. The purposes of
the founders have been carefully regarded, and the college maintained
as a Christian institution, in which the Word of God has been
regarded as the essential element in the development of character.

Many of the graduates of the college are filling important positions
as missionaries and teachers, not only in this country, but in Persia,
India and Japan.

The course of study is complete and thorough — especially adapted
to the broad and liberal education of women.

It is the purpose of its friends to make the college worthy of the
patronage of parents who seek for their daughters a refined, womanly
education.

Strother Female Institute was under the supervision of Mr. and Mrs.
F. Strother, the former presiding over the literary department, and
the latter over the musical department. They conducted Lindenwood
Female College for four }'ears, and upon relinquishing control of that
institution, opened this Institute in the city, where the ordinary
branches now usual in female schools of high grade were taught.
They are now in Monroe county, near Paris.

Lindenwood Female College and the Convent of the Sacret Heart
are female schools — the others are either boys’ schools or mixed.

Miss Mowatt has for many years past conducted a private school,
which is still in operation.

The German Methodist Church has a school, which is held in their
old church, and is intended for the tuition of the children of that con¬
gregation.

The same remark also applies to the German Evangelical Church.

The Lutheran Church has under its control five schools altogether,
two of them being in the city . This congregation sometime ago erected
a large and well-arranged school-house, at a very considerable expense.

The enterprise evinced by this church is commendable, and shows
the deep interest its members feel in the education of their children.
Each of the Catholic churches has a large and flourishing school under

O O

318

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

its supervision. That one in connection with the original Catholic
Church of St. Charles, known as the Convent of the Sacred Heart, has
been in operation for many years, and has achieved and still maintains
among its patrons a high reputation as a female school.

Besides the private and parochial schools, which afford a means of
education to those who desire and can afford to send their children to
them, there are two public schools which give free tuition to all chil¬
dren between the ages of 5 and 21 years, living within the bounds of
the city, who wish to attend. The public school has fully kept up with
the growth of the city. Formerly the little school-house, which was
at one time used as the Episcopal Church, and later occupied by Mr.
Goebel for photographing purposes, sufficed for all the wants of those
attending the public schools. It soon became too small, and the direc¬
tors erected a larger and more comfortable building, with larger rooms
and more of them. This soon became filled to overflowing and to
accommodate the scholars residing in distant parts of the city, another
building was erected and occupied. Both are constantly filled.

We can confidently point to the number and character of these
churches and schools as an index of the character of the citizens, pres¬
ent and prospective.

FRANCIS DUQUETTE.

There lived many years ago, in St. Charles, a Canadian French¬
man, named Francis Duquette, who occupied a prominent and influ¬
ential position in that town during the close of the last and the
beginning of the present century. It was he who transformed the old
round fort into a wind-mill, and thereby converted an establishment
of war into one of the most useful implements of peace. He was also
the father of the Catholic Church in St. Charles, for although he was
not a priest, and did not organize the church, yet he built it up from
a small beginning and sustained and cultivated it for many years ; and
his memory is held in affectionate regard by the Catholics of St.
Charles.

Francis Duquette was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1774. When
quite a young man he came West, and landed first at Ste. Genevieve,
then the principal town west of the Mississippi river.

While there he had the funeral rites of the Catholic Church per¬
formed over the remains of a deceased friend, and the mystery con¬
nected therewith caused universal comment and has never yet been
solved. Twelve years before a young Canadian made his appearance
in Ste. Genevieve and engaged in the then common occupation of

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

319

hunting. No one knew him, and he took no pains to enlighten the
citizens in regard to himself. In fact his presence created very little
comment in the community, for it was no unusual thing for strange
hunters to make their appearance there, remain a short time, and
disappear as mysteriously as they came. He gave his name as Pierre
Gladu, and stated that he was from Canada. One day he went out
to hunt and was killed by some Indians in a little prairie near the
town. His remains were subsequently found and buried where he
had fallen, and the incident soon ceased to be a subject of comment
among the citizens of the town.

Twelve years afterward another young Canadian made his appear¬
ance in Ste. Genevieve, gave his name as Francis Duquette, and im¬
mediately sought out the lone grave on the little prairie. He then
caused the remains to be disinterred, and buried in the graveyard of
the town with all the solemnities and ceremonies of the Catholic
Church. Curiosity attracted numerous visitors, and a large proces¬
sion marched from the grave to the cemetery, Duquette walking near
the coffin, bareheaded, with a lighted taper in his hand. After the
reinterment he caused to be placed at the head of the grave a large
cross bearing the name of the deceased. He then disappeared from
the country, leaving his conduct an unexplained mystery, which the
inhabitants never could solve.

Duquette proceeded to St. Charles, where he purchased property
and located. For a number of years he carried on business as a
trader, dealing in furs, peltries, goods, etc. He also invested largely
in lands, and thereby became involved in his mercantile business. His
goods had been purchased in Canada, and his creditors there sent an
agent to Missouri who levied on most of his property and sold it un¬
der execution. He saved enough, however, to leave him in comfort¬
able circumstances.

He was married in 1736 to Miss Mary Louisa Bauvis, of Ste. Gene¬
vieve, but they had no children.

Mr. Duquette’s house stood on the same square where the stone
church was afterward erected, and the members of his church used to
gather there during the Lenten season for devotional services. He
planted some fruit trees near his house soon after his arrival in St.
Charles, and two of these were bearing not more than three years
since, and they may be still for aught we know.

Duquette died February 2, 1816, and was buried in the old ceme¬
tery on Jackson and Second streets. His remains were afterward
taken up and removed to the Catholic graveyard, where the church of
St. Charles Borromeo now stands, and there they rested for many

320

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

years. But eventually the growth of the city required the removal
of the cemetery, and about 25 years ago a new one was established
beyond the limits of the corporation. Duquette’s remains were again
disinterred and deposited in the new cemetery, where a massive, old-
fashioned monument marks his grave. It was erected over 60 years
ago, and the sculptured work upon it is partially obliterated by the
ravages of time aud its frequent removals.

Mrs. Duquette died April 2, 1841. Previous to, and at the time of
her decease, she lived in the house now occupied by Mrs. Walton, on
Clay street. She was highly respected by the citizens of the town
and vicinity, and the funeral procession that followed her remains to
the grave was the largest that had ever been seen in St. Charles at that
time. The bells of the various churches, irrespective of creed, were
tolled in honor of the beloved dead as the hearse bore her remains to
their last resting place.

In connection with the lives of these two pioneers of the Catholic
religion in St. Charles, it will be appropriate to present the histories
of the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Church of St. Charles Borro-
meo, which were prepared expressly for this work,1 the first by the secre¬
tary of the academy, and the second by Rev. John Roes, pastor of the
church. These histories will be the more interesting because the two
institutions to which they relate date back to the very infancy of the
town in which they are situated, and no public history of them has
ever been published before.

• ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART.

This was the first foundation made by the religious of the Society
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in America. On the Feast of the
Sacred Heart, in the year 1818, after a perilous voyage of 100 days,
Madame Duchesne, one of the first companions of the Venerated
Mother Madeline Sophie Barrat, founder of the society, landed in
New Orleans. For long years Madame Duchesne burned with the
desire of devoting her life for the salvation of the Indians. Now
she had the realization of all her hopes ; a wide field lay opened
before her, but one thickly strewn with difficulties. A severe illness
compelled her to prolong her stay in New Orleans, }7et her ardent
soul sighed to begin the work. Scarcely convalescent, she proceeded
with her co-laborers, Madames Eugenie Ande, Octavie Berthold and
two co-adjuting sisters, Catharine and Margaret, and arrived at St.
Louis the same year. While remaining in this city Madame Duchesne

1 Pioneer Families of Missouri.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

321

received the approbation of the Right Reverend Bishop Dnbourg,
whose pastoral cares extended over the two Louisianas, to lay the
foundation. The present site at St. Charles was selected as the most
desirable spot. The cure of the village, the celebrated and Rev.
Gabriel Richard, who was also elected member of Congress, installed
the little colony in their humble dwelling, a log hut containing two
rooms; it stood in the midst of two acres of barren soil. Here and
there might be seen the cabin of the Sioux. By an authentic act,
the bishop renewed his approbation, and the sovereign pontiff blessed
from afar the new mission of the Sacred Heart. Too soon their lit¬
tle resources failed them, and extreme poverty menaced them on all
sides. Incapable of supporting so rude a trial, sufficient to cause the
stoutest heart to recoil, the little colony returned to St. Louis, in
September, 1819 ; but their destined home was St. Ferdinand, Floris¬
sant. On Christmas eve they took possession of their new residence,
and at midnight they had the happiness of assisting at mass, with the
five pupils who had followed them from St. Charles.

At St. Ferdinand the prospects were very favorable, and brightened
each year. Auxiliaries were received from the mother house in
France ; new colonists were sent out, and houses established in St.
Louis, Grand Chouteau, and St. Michael. Madame Duchesne gov¬
erned all in quality of provincial, but made St. Louis her home.

Since the departure from St. Charles all hopes were not extin¬
guished in renewing their efforts to plant the standard of the Sacred
Heart in that city. Encouraged by their success at St. Ferdinand,
Madame Duchesne once more looked toward St. Charles to recom¬
mence the foundation. So on the morning of October 10, 1828, the
little caravan consisting of Madames Duchesne, Octavie, Lucille and
O’Connor, set out from St. Ferdinand. The Right Reverend Bishop
Rosatti, nine Jesuit Fathers, and three secular priests accompanied
them. His lordship was mounted on a humble courser, while the
fathers walked at his side ; the ladies occupied a carriage, and,
consequently, arrived sooner. Their presence was announced,
and the inhabitants, who were now increased by one-half, testified
their joy on the return of the religious. They were conducted to
their house, which consisted of boards; underneath was a cellar, the
receptacle for all the animals of the village ; the odor arising from
this assemblage of sheep, pigs and rats was almost intolerable, but
in a short time they were freed from these interlopers. A chapel
adjoining the house was hastily constructed, and here nine masses
were celebrated in one day.

322

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

On the 14th Madames Lucille and O’Connor were left the sole
occupants. Before departing for St. Ferdinand, Madame Duchesne
installed Madame Lucille as Superior of the household, assisted by
Madame O’Connor. They immediately went to work to fulfill the
functions of carpenters, painters, masons, etc., and by dint of indus¬
try in 15 days the house was beyond recognition.

The 29th of October the classes of the day school were opened,
composed of five pupils ; in November there were 12 ; in December,
16, and in a few months more the number amounted to 50. During

7 n

the first six years 120 pupils received instructions, and many of
them became excellent mothers of families.

In March of 1829, re-enforcements arrived; among them was Sister
Mary Layton, the first American novice. In 1832 Sister Ann
Egarty, and in 1833 Madame Guillot were sent to give their assist¬
ance. Amid this seeming prosperity privations were gathering, and
some pecuniary want was on the point of forcing them to abandon
once more the work ; but a Divine Providence, who never forsakes
those who place their confidence in Him, rescued them in this pain¬
ful dilemma ; and in 1838 they were enabled to begin and com¬
plete the new building contiguous to the church belonging to the
Jesuit Fathers. Madame Lucille retained her office until 1840.
About this time Bishop Rosatti demanded a colony of the religious
of the Sacred Heart for Sugar Creek, which was peopled by the Potta-
watomies. Obedience called Madame Lucille to take charge of the new
mission. Here she endeared herself to the hearts of the Indians bv

her unwearied cares, making herself their common mother. It was
the ardent desire of this devoted soul to live and die among her sav¬
age children. St. Mary’s also witnessed her labors and there she
passed the remainder of her days accomplishing the wish of her
heart. It was only in January of 1875 that this admirable religious
went to receive her reward, at the advanced age of 81 years.

For some years previous to the foundation at Sugar Creek, Madame
Duchesne had been released from the burden of Superiority; her
declining years requiring rest, she withdrew into her solitude at St.
Charles, where she continued her prayers and sufferings for her dear
Indians.

In 1840 Madame Regis Hamilton, now assistant superior in Chicago,
replaced Madame Lucille ; she was succeeded in 1844 by Madame St. Cyr,
who governed seven years. During this time a purchase was made
from Rev. Father Verhsegen, pastor of the church, and the grounds
were considerably enlarged.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

323

In 1851 Madame Hamilton resumed the charge for the space of one
year. Her presence was a solace to the Worthy Mother Duchesne,
whom Providence had preserved until this time ; but now her days
were numbered, and soon her holy soul was to wing its flight toward
its eternal home. Until her last she submissively obeyed the most
trivial order with child-like simplicity and resignation. It was at 10
o’clock on the morning of the 18th of November, 1852, that this ven¬
erated Mother, surrounded by her sorrowing family, passed from a
sweet slumber to the presence of the Master, whom she had so long
and so generously served. She was aged 84 years, 34 of which were
passed in the missions of America.

Madame Aloysia Jacquet relieved Madame Hamilton for a few
months. She was then recalled to superintend the Community at
St. Louis. In 1853 Madame Boullion was appointed superior, but in
December of the same year she was sent to the Southern province, and
Madame Aloysia returned to her former charge.

In 1854 the increase of the pupils was so rapid that extensive altera¬
tions were obliged to be made in the building. The new addition con¬
sisted of a large and commodious study hall, 45x35 feet, a class room, a
refectory and play room beneath, with a dormitory and an infirmary
above, and a spacious upper division. In 1855 the parish school was
built upon the convent grounds. Here yearly about 50 or 60 children,
mostly of the poorer class, are instructed in their religion and in the
principles of education fitted to their station.

Madame Aloysia had made a vow to erect a shrine in honor of “ Our
Lady of the Pillar,” if a favor she so earnestly sought for would be
granted her. Heaven being propitious to her request, the chapel was
constructed and the statue placed upon a pedestal over the altar. The
Eev. Father De Smet blessed the first stone. This little sanctuary,
now hallowed by the souvenirs connected with it, stands in the front
yard, facing the right of the convent. Immediately after the completion
of the work the precious remains of the beloved founder of the society
in America were transferred from their former resting place and de¬
posited in the vault. The base of the altar bears this inscription :
“Pray for the Conversion of the Indians.”

In 1856 Madame Tucker directed the Community, but in 1558 she was
summoned to St. Louis to receive again the charge of superiority.
Since then she has governed some of the houses of the East. In 1870
she was named Superior Vicar of the Western Province, which com¬
prised the houses of St. Charles, St. Louis, St. Joseph, Chicago, St.
Mary’s Mission and Maryville.

324

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

In 1858 Madames Jouve and Ludovica Boudreaux successively gov¬
erned, and in 1860 Madame Miller was appointed superior. She en¬
deared herself, like her predecessors, to all hearts by her devotedness
to her Community.

In 1865 Madame Wall attached herself, with untiring zeal, to the new
charge which was placed upon her ; but in 1868 obedience called her to
St. Joseph.

Then Madame Bourke assumed the care of government : she held her
office five years. At the expiration of this time she was removed to
Chicago, to continue her labors as superior.

In the spring of 1870 the church of the Jesuits, adjacent to the con¬
vent, was torn down, and the land on which it was built was purchased
from the Fathers ; it now forms part of the garden which surrounds the
house.

In September of 1873 Madame Niederkorn, the present superior, was
nominated. Since that period many improvements have been made
on the convent and its surroundings. But in November, 1875, a fire,
originated by a spark from the flue, broke out in the upper story of
the middle building, and threatened destruction to the entire place.
Evidently the flames had been playing for some hours between the
roof and the timbers before the inmates were aware of their danger,
but as soon as the alarm was made public, the kind-hearted citizens
of St. Charles flocked to their assistance. To their indefatigable efforts
and the interposition of a Divine Providence may be attributed the
saving of the house, at a moment when all hopes were renounced.
Unable to make the necessary repairs during the winter season, the
religious waited for the coming spring ; but a temporary roof pre¬
vented their being exposed to the inclemency of the weather. In
February, 1876, the fearful tornado which almost devastated the city,
augmented the damages caused by the fire. Nearly every pane of
glass on the east side of the house was shattered into fragments ; the
fences and grape arbors were thrown down, trees uprooted and trans¬
ported with the wind, and immense rocks which supported the lower
wall facing the street were hurled from their places — thus adding an
expense of several hundred dollars.

In March the carpenters began their work, and notwithstanding the
many interruptions, the results of the heavy rain and snow storms, in
a few weeks the burnt-out attic was transformed into large and ele¬

gant apartments.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

325

CHURCH OF ST. CHARLES BORROMEO.

The first church in the town of St. Charles was built byathe Roman
Catholics, the year and day not known by the people now living. Pio¬
neer French priests visited these Western wilds at a very early day.
The church was an humble log house, with its timbers standing up¬
right, which consequently soon rotted down. Gov. Blanchette replaced
it by a neat frame building on Second, near Jackson street, on the
north-western part of block 28. This must have been before 1793,
as Gov. Blanchette is reported to have died that year, as we gather
from tradition, and to have been interred along the walls of the church.
The records kept at the church of St. Charles Borromeo date from
1792, and indicate sufficiently the approximate date of the erection
of the latter building. The first baptism recorded is that of Peter
Beland, on the 21st of July, 1792 ; it was administered by Rev. Peter
Joseph Didier, a Benedictine of the Congregation of St. Maus, of the
Royal Abbey of St. Dennis, at Paris, then the acting, although not
resident pastor. Father Didier was succeeded in 1798 by Rev. Father
L. Lusson, a Recollect Priest. Father Lusson’s name disappears from
the records after October, 1804, and after that time several priests,
some of whom were Trappists, ministered to the spiritual wants of
the congregation ; some for a longer, some for a shorter period of
time. These came either from St. Louis or Portage, where priests
resided at a much earlier date than at St. Charles. One of these, long
remembered, was the Rev. Joseph Mary Dunand, a Trappist, who
acted as pastor at St. Charles from the year 1809 to the year 1815.
In 1814 Bishop Flaget, of Louisville, is reported to have visited St.
Charles while Father Dunand was pastor.

In 1823 the Jesuits settled in the Florissant valley, on what is now
generally known as the Priest’s Farm. Solicited by Bishop Dubourg,
they undertook the care of the missionary stations across the Missouri
in St. Charles county, but had for some time no permanent residence
in any of them. The first Jesuits who visited St. Charles were Father
Van Quickenborn, the Superior of the Missions, and Father Timmer¬
mans.

In 1827 Father Van Quickenborn bought a new frame building on
Main street, near Lewis, and the fathers took up their residence there.
In 1827, also, they began the building of the stone church, corner of
Second and Decatur. Completed in the fall of 1827, by the indomi¬
table energy of the pastors, and the corresponding courage of the

326

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

parishioners, it was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Rosatti on the
12th of October. On that grand occasion, Father Van Quickenborn
acted as assistant priest, Fathers DeTheux and Dusosey as deacons
of honors, and Fathers Smedts and DeSmet as deacon and sub¬
deacon. Gladly would we give here a short sketch of the fathers
who in turn acted as superiors of the St. Charles Residence and as pas¬
tors of the congregation, but this would exceed the limits of the in-
tended sketch, and would be difficult to do, for one who has not the
necessary dates at command; thus, however, we must say that they
were all men who knew how to make generous sacrifices for the
interest of religion and education ; nay, even for the temporal welfare
of St. Charles. They were all men of zeal and of indomitable energy,
most of them, too, were men of talent and superior education.

Before passing on there is one name, however, which is so familiar
still to all the people of St. Charles that we cannot pass it over in
silence ; it may seem invidious, but we cannot withstand giving it
with a brief sketch of his life. We mean the Rev. P. J. Verhsegen,
whose name has left a deep impression on the Protestants as well as
on the Catholics :

Born in Belgium on the 21st of June, 1800, he came to Missouri
in 1821, as one of the little band of Jesuit missionaries whom Bishop
Dubourg had succeeded in drawing to his vast diocese, which stood so
sadly in need of clergymen to break the word of life to them. Before
his ordination he had already visited St. Charles to instruct the people
and to gather them together on Sunday. Ordained in 1826, he be.
came the regular pastor and superior, and remained until August,
1828. Incredibly hard and laborious was his position, especially dur¬
ing the building of the stone church, at which he worked almost as a
day laborer. In 1828 he was succeeded
pastor and superior of St. Charles, and Father Felix Yerreydt as
missionary to the surrounding country.

Father Verhsegen, transferred to the St. Louis University, acted
there as its president, later as superior of the missions, and later
again as vicar general and administrator of the diocese of St. Louis.
Relieved of these arduous duties he returned to St. Charles in 1843,
to leave it again in 1844 to become Provincial of the Jesuits in Mary¬
land. Having there completed his term of office he returned to the
West and became the first President of the College of St. Joseph at
Bardstown, which the Bishop of Louisville confided to the Society in
1848. In 1851 he returned once more to St. Charles to leave it only
for one year, that is the year 1857-58, which he spent at the St.

by Father J. B. Smedts as

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

327

Louis University to teach theology to the young scholastics, and to
give the Sunday evening lectures at St. Xavier’s Church ; returning
to St. Charles, which was the place of his choice, he acted as superior
of the residence, and as first pastor until his death, and in that double
capacity, he endeared himself more and more with the people of the
city. In 1808 his health began visibly to give way, and after a few
days of serious illness he died at the pastoral residence on Third
street, on the 21st of July, regretted by all; on the 28th his mortal
remains were followed to their last resting place at the Novitiate near
Florissant, by many of his sorrowing spiritual children.

Father Verhsegen was a man of superior mind, of profound knowl¬
edge and of genial manners ; he was the friend of all who knew him,
ever cheerful, and with a kind word for all who came near him. Dur¬
ing his long career of usefulness in the high positions he so success¬
fully filled as rector of colleges, as superior of the missions, as pro¬
vincial of order and as administrator of the diocese of St. Louis he
gained what he did not seek, a great name, and an extensive popular¬
ity, and promoted what was the sole object of his ambition, the good
of religion and education and the greater glory of God.

On the 29th of July, 1868, he was succeeded by the Rev. J. Roes
as superior of the residence and as first pastor, who holds the same
office still.

A month after his appointment it was found necessary, on account
of the constantly increasing number of the parishioners, to secure as
soon as possible, a larger church edifice, and on the last Sunday of
August, a spirited meeting of the congregation was held in the old
school-house on Third street, now known as the Franklin School, at
which it was determined to begin at once the new church. Permis-
sion was obtained from his grace Archbishop Kenrick and from the
provincial of the Society, and soon several thousand dollars were sub¬
scribed ; the foundations were begun in October, the corner stone
however was only laid on the 9th of May, 1869, by his grace the
Archbishop, in the midst of an immense concourse of people who had
flocked together from St. Louis and from the neighborhood : thev
were addressed by Rev. Father Tschieder, of St. Joseph’s, in St. Louis,
their former pastor, in German, and Rev. Father O’Reilly, now, as
then, pastor of the Immaculate Conception, St. Louis, in English.
After four years of persevering sacrifices, on the part of the people,
and of struggle and toil on the part of the pastors, the splendid edifice
was completed. In the beginning of October, 1872, and on the 13th
of that month it was solemnly consecrated by Rt. Rev. P. J. Ryan,

328

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Coadjutor Bishop of St. Louis, assisted by a great number of clergymen
from St. Louis and St. Charles counties. The crowd assisting at the
beautiful and grand ceremony of consecration was very large ; it was
addressed by Key. J. DeBleick, S. J., of the St. Louis University, in
English, and by Rev. P. J. Tschieder of St. Joseph’s, in German ;
both sermons were masterly pieces. The consecration was followed
by a solemn high mass ; Father Van Assche, of Florissant, one of the
original founders of the Missouri Province, was the celebrant, and was
assisted by Father J. Van Mierlo and Van Leert as deacon and sub¬
deacon. On the 29th of March, 1873, the church was permanently
opened for divine service by a very successful mission preached by
Rev. J. Coghlan, S. J., from St. Mary’s, Kas., assisted by Rev.
Kuhlman, S. J., from the Novitiate. The present pastors are Father
J. Roes assisted by Father W. B. V. Heyden and H. Van Mierlo.

The financial crash of 1872 put the congregation to great
trouble and sacrifice; but it is to be hoped this will now soon end, and
with the available property sold on even reasonably low figures, the
congregation will find an end to their troubles and will be able to
boast of their fine church and school and pastoral residence, and leave
a glorious legacy to their children. 1

ST. CHARLES BRIDGE.

This magnificent structure was built under the superintendence of
C. Shaler Smith, chief engineer, and president of the Baltimore
Bridge Company. It is the longest iron bridge in the country, con¬
sisting of three “ through spans ” on the Fink plan, four “Fink sus¬
pension ” spans, and the iron viaduct approaches, making a total
length of iron bridge, 6,535 feet. The seven river spans vary in
length from 305 to 321 feet. There were eight river foundations —
most of them presenthig new and extraordinary difficulties in con¬
struction — varying from 54 to 76 feet in depth, the caissons for
which had to be carried down through alternate strata of quicksand,
large boulders, and tangled masses of drift logs. Add to these sub¬
marine difficulties the facts that at the bridge site the Missouri river
rises and falls 40 feet ; that its flood speed is 9x/2 miles per hour ; and
that drift islands drawing 20 feet of water, and which are more than
300 feet in diameter, are not unfrequently carried past in the heavier
freshets, and an adequate idea may be formed of the character of the
work.

The Fink deck spans are proportioned to carry 2,250 pounds per
foot, with the following stresses, per pound per inch, on the various

1 Pioneer Families of Missouri.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

329

parts: cast-iron chord, 12,000; wrought-iron chain, 12,000 ; quar¬
ter chain, 11,000; eighth and sixteenth chains, 10,000; posts
(Phoenix column), 6,500 ; laterals (of these there is a double system),
8,000.

The trellis spans are completely pin-jointed throughout, having
both the rocker and roller action at the feet of end posts, and
all the posts and ties are pin-jointed, in the upper chord as well as
lower. There are no adjustments in the web or chord systems.
All the points are exact as to length. The posts, which are key¬
stone columns, have wrought-iron heads and feet, webbed out so as to
distribute the weight over two and one half feet in length of the pins
on which they rest.

The truss itself is a “ double triangular girder,” with inclined end
posts, and no connection between the systems. The counter-brace
action is secured by stiffening the middle ties and giving the braces a
tensile connection. The floor-beams are composed of 12-inch channel
iron, sandwiched with and forming part of the lower chord — the
cross-ties being laid directly on these, without the interposition of a
stringer. These girders are proportioned in. the same manner as in the
Fink, but to a working load of 2,400 pounds per foot. The weight
of each Fink span is 680,000 pounds, of each trellis span, 788,000
pounds.

The cast-iron of the bridge has been replaced by wrought-iron.

The cost of the entire structure is understood to have been about
$1,750,000, and stands as a monument of engineering skill, and we
hope will so stand for ages to come.

It was formally opened for regular business July 4, 1871, since
which time it has been in constant use.

THE BRIDGE DISASTER.

On Saturday evening, November 8, 1879, at about half past eight
o’clock, a span of the St. Charles bridge gave way, and precipitated
a freight train, consisting of 17 cars of live stock and a caboose,
into the river. At the time of the accident there were in the
caboose and on the train the following persons who went down with
the wreck: Josiah Wearin, Jordan W. Hyde, Fred. Davis, John
Somers (all of whom were from Malvern, Mills county, Iowa),
Joseph Bernhart, of Moberly, and Charles Irving, of Mount Vernon,
O. (the two latter brakemen). Wearin, Hyde and Bernhart were
found dead. Irving died about noon on Sunday following, and
Somers died the next morning — on Monday. J. M. Strahan, who

330

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

was from Malvern, was in the caboose, but hearing the crack of the
bridge, stepped off the train. Fred. Davis went down with the
wreck, but barely escaped with his life, being the only person who
was not fatally injured.

THE SECOND BRIDGE DISASTER.

On Thursday, December 8, 1881, at half past five o’clock in the
afternoon, the second bridge disaster occurred at St. Charles. The
St. Charles News published two days after the event, said : —

About half past five o’clock, December 8, a heavy freight train,
consisting of a large and powerful locomotive and 31 loaded cars, left
the St. Charles depot and moved slowly upon the long and slender
looking bridge that spans the Missouri river at this place. Many
trains and heavy ones, too, have crossed the St. Charles bridge, but it
was reserved for this one to be the second one to go down. The
locomotive drawing its heavy burden had passed safely over the west¬
ern and center spans and was, perhaps, two-thirds the way upon the
eastern span, when the structure gave way, and fell with a crash and
splash into the river below, carrying with it to destruction the entire
train The engineer, fireman and brakeman went down with the
wreck. The former was killed or drowned, and the two latter sus¬
tained injuries. In the caboose were the conductor and two stock-
men, while on the next car was the rear brakeman. All these
managed to get off in safety before the fearful plunge was made.
John Kirby, the engineer was killed. The crew of the train consisted
of John Kirby, engineer; Chamberlin, fireman; A. Durfield, con¬
ductor, and Charles Oblinger and G. M. Metcalfe, brakemen.

After the first accident, the bridge was so quickly repaired that
trains were crossing in December — the first one-on the 12th of that
month at 11 minutes after 12 o’clock p. m., one month and four days
after the disaster.

CAR FACTORY.

On the 30th of November, 1872, the first meeting was held for the
purpose of taking steps to organize a Citizens’ Association for the city
and county of St. Charles. Other meetings followed, and, on the
21st of December, the organization was perfected and commenced
work .

At a meeting of the Board of Managers, held on January 11, 1873,
the secretary was ordered to give notice in the city papers that the
regular meeting of the Association would be held on the evening of
the 18th ; and that after the business of the Association should be

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

331

completed, a mass meeting of the citizens would be held, to consider
the matter of establishing a car factory at this place.

The notice was given and the meeting held, at which a committee
was appointed to solicit subscriptions. Meetings were held from time
to time, and subscriptions reported, that established the enterprise as
a fixed fact.

At a meeting held February 8, 1873, a committee was appointee! to
wait upon the city council, and ask the passage of an ordinance
releasing the proposed factory from municipal taxation for a series of
years. This committee performed the duty assigned them, and the
city authorities agreed to release the proposed car works from city
taxes for 35 years.

At a meeting held February 13, 1873, progress was reported, and
additional subscription committees appointed ; and the meeting ad¬
journed to meet February 22d, for the election of directors.

The meeting was held February 22, pursuant to adjournment. The
number of directors was fixed at 13. By resolution, it was ordered
that the following principles be engrafted in the constitution of the
company: 1. No officer of the company except president and vice-
president shall belong to the directory. 2. The salary of an officer
not to be increased during the term for which he was appointed, and
3. The funds of the company to be deposited equally in the three St.
Charles banks.

On that evening, and the following Monday, the election was held,
resulting in the choice of 13 gentlemen in whose hands the stockhold-
ers and the community could safely rest the success of the enterprie.

The board organized Februarv 26, and measures were taken to
commence operations at once. The works are now in successful oper¬
ation .

WOOLEN MILLS.

The first woolen mill in St. Charles was built by Messrs. Gibbs &
Broadwater, the former named having followed the business in Vir¬
ginia. The mill was gradually enlarged, and passed into the hands
of Gibbs & Cunningham, Paule & Walton, Paule, Walton & Co., and
Robert A. Walton. During the war, when large supplies of woolen
goods were needed for military use, the factory had a run of pros¬
perity ; but upon Mr. Walton’s death it became idle, and so remained
until recently, when it was purchased by the St. Charles Woolen Mills
Company, and again put in operation.

Some years after the Walton factory was started, Messrs. Gibbs and
Ross erected a brick factory in another part of the city. This was

332

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

blown down by a severe storm, which did a great deal of damage in
city and county. A new building arose on the site of the old one,
much larger and more substantial, and filled with better machinery.
This factory was operated some years by Gibbs & Ross, and afterwards
by Gibbs, Field & Ross, until some time ago, when it passed to the
Missouri Woolen Mills Company, the stock of which is owned prin¬
cipally in St. Louis.

The value of these two establishments, including grounds, buildings,
engines and machinery, is probably $75,000, and the capital employed
probably as much more. When in full operation, they give employ¬
ment to about 75 hands. It is rumored that the last named mills will
soon be set in motion again, with renewed vigor and with an increased
force of operatives. It is to be hoped the rumor is true.

GAS COMPANY.

The St. Charles Gas and Coal Company was organized February 20,
1871, by Sylvester Watts, Charlie Thaw, Theodore Bruere, James H.
Britton and John C. Orrick, who each subscribed 200 shares, the en¬
tire capital being $100,000, divided into 1,000 shares of $100 each.

About one-fourth of the capital is now held by others. The actual
capital is $55,000, which has been consumed in paying for grounds,
works, pipes, etc.

The first gas was burned September 9, 1871, and the first dividend
($2.50 per share) was declared October 15, 1872.

During the year 1872 there were consumed 1,281,200 feet of gas,
and the gross receipts of the company from gas alone were $6,668.
Tar and coke constitute another source. The company expects to
consume 10,000 bushels of coal for the manufacture of gas, and
3,000 bushels for firing, being about double last year’s consump¬
tion. The works are operated by one superintendent and two firemen,
and there are 135 private consumers and 59 street lamps.

The present company, by grant from the city authorities, has ex¬
clusive privileges in the gas line, their rights and duties being
prescribed with particularity, so that the public interests may not
suffer.

PORK HOUSES.

While all merchants in St. Charles have from time to time, as occa¬
sion offered, turned an honest penny in the purchase and sale of hogs,
none of them have given this branch of industry that attention be¬
stowed on it by Henry B. Denker, Esq. He has built up a trade and
a business in this line that proves him to be a live business man, and

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

333

he is entitled to the thanks of the community for the energy and pluck
he has displayed.

He commenced in a small way in 1867, in which year he slaughtered
about 400 hogs, putting into his business about $6,000. In each of
the two following years he slaughtered about 500 hogs, at an expense
of about $8,000. In 1870 he packed 800 hogs, and put into the busi¬
ness about $12,000 ; in 1871, 1,500 hogs and $16,000; and in 1872
his business increased to such an extent that he very much enlarged
his pork house and its appurtenances. In this last named year he
slaughtered 4,000 hogs, and had a capital of $32,000 employed.

His packing establishment is 140x35 altogether, being of brick for
about 60 feet, and the balance frame. It consists of slaughter-house
and smoke-house, with a room for rendering lard, which is done by
steam.

The value of the house with its furniture and various appointments
is about $8,000.

UNION FIRE COMPANY.

For nearly a century St. Charles had existed as village, town and
city without any means of extinguishing a fire, and fortunately for all
that time without a serious occasion for it. It has been singularly
exempt from the visits of the fire fiend. Long may it be so !

As better houses were built, and more money was invested in that
kind of property, and property of all kinds increased in value, and
stocks of goods of various sorts, and of great value, appeared on the
streets, the want of some means for extinguishing fire, better than the
rude one of the water bucket, began to be felt. This feeling found ex¬
pression in the organization of the above named company, the first and
only one of the kind they have ever had. It was organized February
2, 1861, by the enrollment of <31 active, and 2 honorary members
and the election of a full set of officers.

The first engine owned by the company was an old, cast-off affair,
made by Rogers, of Baltimore, and full of days and years of service
in the St. Louis Fire Department. It cost this company $250, and did
service, when required, for about 10 years, when its further use was
dispensed with, and its place taken by a new engine made by Rumsey

Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y. This new engine cost $1,500, and is now
in use. The company is equipped with engine, hose carriage, hose
and all the usual apparatus, and has adopted a tasty uuiform.

The city has provided them a substantial brick building for the stor¬
age of their apparatus, with a hall in the second story for meetings
and the transaction of their business.

334

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

FOUNDRY.

The first foundry established here was commenced in January and
February, 1866, by Peter McHugh, who had been a brass moulder in
the North Missouri Railroad Machine Shops.

B. A. Alderson became interested in the enterprise, and entered into
co-partnership with McHugh in March, 1866, furnishing the capital for
the completion and equipment of the establishment ; and the first heat
was taken off April 14, 1866, and work commenced with fair prospects.
In October of the same year the partnership was dissolved, and Mr.
Alderson purchased McHugh’s interest, and built a substantial brick
machine shop, since which time the place has been known as “ The
St. Charles Foundry and Machine Shop.”

From April, 1867, to October, 1869, the establishment was operated
bv Mr. Alderson and Mr. Charles Bruere, formerly a machinist in the
North Missouri Railroad Machine Shops, and from the latter date to Jan¬
uary, 1870, by Mr. Alderson alone again. January 18, 1870, it was
closed and offered for sale. But not being sold for want of a purchaser,
itwasleased, in October, 1870, to Messrs. Chapman & Rogers, bothprac-
tical and energetic men, who together operated it to December, 1871,
when Mr. Chapman sold his interest in the business to his partner, Mr.
John Rogers, under whose able supervision it is now carried on. The
present capacity is 8,000 weight of metal per heat, but it is in contem¬
plation to enlarge it to meet increasing demands. It employs from 12
to 18 hands, and though not large, has sent out some very heavy cast¬
ings, and has been of great value both to city and county.

FLOURING MILLS.

The oldest flouring mill in St. Charles is the one known as Griffith’s,
built many years ago, and yet built so well and substantially as to be
even now as firm and strong as it ever was. It is not now in opera¬
tion, but there are four others running. Altogether they have a
capacity of 1,000 barrels per run of 24 hours. On a fun of 12 hours
per day, for 200 days, the five mills of which we speak would con¬
sume about 500,000 bushels of wheat, which probably is something
near the amount they actually do convert into flour when all are
in active operation.

There is also a smaller mill which engages principally in grinding
corn, which, in the hands of an energetic, enterprising man, could be
made a profitable business.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

335

St. Charles county is noted for the production of the finest quality
of both corn and wheat. The St. Charles flour stands at the very
head of the list. The citizens have reason to feel proud, and do feel
yproud, of their corn, wheat and flour.

Amons; the other industries in St. Charles is a tobacco factory, the

o v

article here manufactured having a wide reputation and finding a ready
sale in home and foreign markets.

SECRET ORDERS.

For the facts referring to the early history of Freemasonry in the
city of St. Charles, we are indebted to Joseph H. Alexander, who
contributed a series of interesting articles upon that subject, entitled
“ Historical Notes of the Rise and Progress of Freemasonry in St.
Charles.” The first charter granted for holding a Masonic Lodge1
in St. Charles, bears date October 6, 1819, while Missouri was still a
Territory. It was granted by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. The
lodge had been working under a dispensation from July 5, same year.
The charter was given at Nashville, and is signed by O. B. Hayes,
Grand Master; W. Tannehill, D. G. M. ; S. B .Marshall, S. G. W.
P. T. ; Wm. G. Dickerson, J. G. W.

At the date of its organization, the lodge had 13 members. The
names of only three are nofw known — these are the three officers named
in the charter, and their names are Benjamin Emmons, Bennett
Palmer and Rowland Willard. The lodge prospered, for in 16 months
after it was organized, 32 degrees were conferred — 12 of the first, 10
of the second, and 11 of the third — and the membership more
than doubled. The lodge was granted another charter from the Grand
Lodge of Missouri, October 11, 1822, and its name changed to Hiram
Lodge No. 3.

From the first return made to the Grand Lodge, by Hiram Lodge,
October 5, 1822, we find that considerable work was done, especially
in November and December, 1821, the lodge conferring 7 degrees in
the former month at three meetings, and 14 in the latter at six meet¬
ings. An inspection of the returns also shows that the lodge must
have been working for the benefit of others, as well as themselves,
for G. W. Ash, who was raised November 26, 1821, demitted March 7,
1822 ; James Alcorn, Daniel Monroe, Richard H. Waters and Samuel
C. Owens, raised in December, 1821, demitted in January, 1822, and
Bernard O’Niel, raised January 12, 1822, demitted during the same

1 St. Charles Lodge, No. 28.

336

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

month, these demissions in all probability being made for the purpose
of organizing a lodge in some other frontier settlement.

The second report to the Grand Lodge is dated the first Monday in
October, 1824, and gives the following list of officers : William G.
Pettus, master; Stephen W. Foreman, S. W. ; Rowland Willard,
J. W. ; Nathaniel Simonds, Treas. ; Henry Hays, Sec.; William
Smith, S. D. ; John Lilly, Jr., tyler ; Benjamin Walker, steward.
On the 10th of April, 1826, Edward Bates, M. W. G. M., being in
the chair, Archibald Gamble presented the proceedings of Hiram
Lodge, with a resolution passed by said lodge, surrendering the char¬
ter, jewels and furniture. On the 13th of April, the committee to
whom the matter was referred, made the report, that the Grand
Lodge consent that the charter of Hiram Lodge be returned, and the
lodge be dissolved.

Thus closed the history of Hiram Lodge No. 3, the second lodge
opened and operated in St. Charles. The fire had ceased to burn and
the light had departed from the Masonic altar in 1826, and Masonry
in St. Charles had ceased to exist, except as embodied in the persons
of those who had received its light and benefits. So far as any record
appears there was no Masonic life in St. Charles, from 1826 (the date
of the dissolving of Hiram Lodge No. 3) to 1837, a period of more
than 10 years.. The first sign of revival is the following petition : —

To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri:

The petitions hereof, humbly showeth, that they are Ancient, Free
and Accepted Master Masons. Having the prosperity of the fraternity
at heart, they are willing to exert their best endeavors to promote
and diffuse the genuine principles of Masonry. For the convenience
of their respective dwellings, and for other good reasons, they are de¬
sirous of forming a new lodge in the town of St. Charles, to be named
St. Charles Lodge. In consequence of this desire and the good of the
craft, they pray for a charter or warrant, to empower them to assem¬
ble as a lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry in the several degrees
of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, in a regular
and constitutional manner, according to the ancient forms of the fra¬
ternity and the laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge, that they
have nominated and do recommend Beriah Graham to be the first
master; Alex. T. Douglass, to be the first senior warden and John
Orrick to be the first junior warden of said lodge ; that if the prayer
of the petitioners should be granted, they promise a strict conformity
to all the constitutional laws, rules and regulations of the Grand
Lodge.

Joshua Grimes, Benjamin Emmons, John Orrick, Alex. T. Doug¬
lass, B. Graham, James C. Lackland, James McClure, Philip A.
Stockslager, John Lilly, Jr.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

337

This paper bears no date, but it is indorsed “ Petition for Lodge
at St. Charles, 1837.” A dispensation was granted May 3, 1837, but
it is not known when the lodge was organized. It was, however, in
session as early as June 7. The lodge was called St. Charles Lodge
No. 23, and the jewels and furniture of Hiram Lodge which had been
surrendered to the Grand Lodge were donated to the new lodge,
which now bore the name “ St. Charles Hiram Lodge No. 23.” 1 - In
October, 1838, the lodge had 23 members and one entered apprentice.

In October, 1841, there were 20 members ; in October, 1842, there
were 25 members, and in October, 1844, there were 22 members.

The lodo'e ceased to work after 1844, and its charter returned to
the Grand Lodge. No other lodge of Masons was organized in the
town until 1849, when Hiram Lodge No. 118, was formed, with the
following members : E. D. Bevitt, P. M. ; T. W. Cunningham, P.
M. ; John Orrick, P. M. ; W. J. McElhiney. M. M. ; Edward P. Gut,
M. M. ; J. C. Lackland, M. M. ; Joel D. Jones, M. M. ; J. W. Rob¬
inson, M. M. ; Robert Spencer, M. M. ; Chas. F. Fant, M. M.
These were all members of Hiram Lodge No. 23, except Robinson.

The dispensation was granted June 29, 1849, and the first regular
communication was held July 2, 1849. The initiatory steps for erect¬
ing a Masonic hall were taken in 1849, and the following board of
trustees were elected: A. C. Orrick, J. W. Redmon, W. J. McEl¬
hiney, J. W. Robinson, E. D. Bevitt, T. W. Cunningham and J. G.
Tannor. The building was erected on a lot on the east side of Main
street, between Jefferson and Madison. The deed to this lot was ex¬
ecuted by Gallaher & Orrick, May 8, 1850. The property was divided
into 150 shares, and at least 45 of these were taken by parties who
were not Masons. The corner stone of the hall was laid October 10,
1849. From July 2, 1849, to April 22, 1850, there were 69 degrees
conferred.

In May, 1851, the lodge had 35 members. The lodge celebrated
the 24th of June, 1856, and also the 27th of December, 1858.

The last meeting of Hiram Lodge No. 118 occurred July 17, 1861,
and the charter was surrendered in May, 1862. During the existence
of this lodge — a period of 12 years — 127 petitions had been pre¬
sented ; 22 were for admission by demit from other lodges, and 105
for initiation. Of these 105 petitions, 101 were accepted.

Mr. Alexander, in speaking of the interval of time that had elapsed

1 The Grand Lodge called it in its minutes Hiram Lodge.

338

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

between 1861 and the date of the organization of the present lodge,
says : —

Nearly four years had borne their records of war and bloodshed
since the light of Masonry in St. Charles had burned to its last
expiring flicker. The war was closing, and peace was again asserting
her supremacy, when the minds of Masonic brethren began once more
to turn instinctively, as it were, to the subject of setting up the altar
of Masonry and lighting its fires once more in St. Charles.

I remember well that little meeting in the back room, where
the matter was quietly talked over and conclusions reached. I
remember also the visit to St. Louis made by the three who had
been named to fill temporarily the three principal offices, when the
Grand Secretary was interviewed on the subject, and the visit that
this same three made to Bridgeton Lodge for the purpose of pass¬
ing: muster, according to Masonic usage, and obtaining their consent
for our application for Masonic authorization.

The preliminary steps having been taken, Mr. Alexander continues
by giving the record, which is as follows: —

At an assembly of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, con¬
vened in the city of St. Charles, in the county of St. Charles, in the
State of Missouri, on Saturday, March 25, 1865, for the purpose of
organizing a lodge of that fraternity, to be known as Palestine
Lodge, were present: Joseph H. Garrett, P. M., Bridgeton, Lodge
No. 80, Mo., Master; David V. Baber, M. M., Bridgeton, Lodge No.
80, Mo., S. W. ; S. Haynes Martin, M. M., Bridgeton, Lodge No.
80, Mo., J. W. ; Joseph H. Alexander, M. M. ; William W. Edwards,
M. M. ; Edmund Taylor, M. M. ; Robert A. Harris, M. M. ; John
Byngton, M. M. ; John S. McDowell, M. M. ; James Keaton, M. M. ;
Samuel Gravely, M. M. ; William D. Orrick, M. M. ; Robert Mc-
Clarin, M. M. ; M. R. Goehagan, M. M., of Hiram, Lodge No. 118,
charter surrendered ; James G. Owen, M. M. ; Isaac J. Moore, M. M.

Lodge opened in the Master’s degree in due form.

The W. M. then read his commission from the M. W. John F.
Houston, Grand Master of Masons in the State of Missouri, authoriz¬
ing him to organize this lodge ; and also read the letter of dis-
pensation of the M. W. Grand Master aforesaid, constituting the
brethren Joseph H. Alexander, William W. Edwards, Edmond Tay¬
lor, James S. Burlingame, James Keeton, John S. McDowell, Robert
A. Harris, James G. Owen, Richard H. Overall, Isaac J. Moore, John
H. Newby, Samuel Gravely and John Byngton into a regular lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons, to be opened in the city of St. Charles by
the name of Palestine Lodge, appointing Brother Joseph H. Alexander
Master, Brother William H. Edwards S. W., and Brother Edmund
J. W. for opening the said lodge, and governing the same in the
several degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason
and making the requirements usual in such cases.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

339

Our space precludes us from following this interesting history of
Freemasonry in St. Charles any further.

The present officers of Palestine Lodge No. 241 are : Joseph H.
Alexander, W. M. ; Robert Hickman, S. W. ; Albert Huber, J. W. ;
T. L. Rives, Treas. ; John K. McDearmon, Sec. ; H. G. Bode, S. D. ;
Fred. Burckhart, J. D. ; Christopher Bode, tyler.

Blucher Lodge No. 351 , I. O. 0. F. — Was organized May 31,
1876. The charter members were Fritz Knoop, Charles F. Hater; A.
H. Hackman, Nath. Abram, George H. Senden, Julius Quade, Her¬
man Brouns, Henry Brcecker, Henry Bloebaum, , George Ranch. At
present the officers are Ernst Woulker, N. G. ; Herman Rassfeld, V.

G. ; Fritz Landwehr, secretary; William H. Meier, Per. secretary;
Gustave Johannpeter, treasurer.

St. Charles Lodge No. 105 , A. 0. U. W. — Was organized Feb¬
ruary 6, 1879, the charter members being Joseph H. Alexander,
James Boyse, George Jacobs, Dr. F. D. Jones, Philip H. Pitts,
Charles Rattray, A. H. Stonebraker, E. B. Hayward, Julius Heye,
Joseph James, Robert L. Luckett, James B. Pritchett, Joseph W.
Ruenzi, C. A. Tripps, E. J. Tuttle. The present officers are A. H.
Huning, P. M. W. ; J. W. Ruenzi, M. W. ; George Jacobs, F. ; J.

H. Bode, O. ; L. H. Breker, R. ; J. P. Hoehn, financier ; R. H.
Luckett, receiver; James Herrington, G. ; William Grothe, I. W. ;

A. Fredricks, O. W.

Ivanhoe Lodge No. 1812 , K. of H. — Which was organized Octo¬
ber 10, 1879, had as charter members Joseph H. Alexander, Dr.
Charles M. Johnson, Charles L. Hug, Alexander Garvin, Robert F.
Luckett, Rev. R. N. T. Holliday, C. A. Tripp, E. B. Hayward, Albert
H. Edwards, August G. Nahan, Frank Broadbent, Julius Heye, A.
H. Stonebraker, James H. Rowe, David M. Davis, August R. Huning,
Joseph James, Joseph W. Ruenzi, Dr. F. D. Jones, Theodoric F.
McDearmon, James P. Daugherty, Robert Gauss, F. Glover Johns,
Dr. James W. Davis, William M. Castlio, Peter Little, John K. Mc¬
Dearmon, Charles T. Wells, Thomas B. Stonebraker, Henry Ander¬
son, Edward J. Tuttle. The present officers are Theodoric F.
McDearmon, P. D. ; Louis H. Breker, D. ; Joseph W. Ruenzi, Y. D. ;
Alfred H. Payne, A. D. ; Joseph James, chaplain ; Joseph H. Alex¬
ander, R. ; August R. Huning, F. R. ; Samuel W. Temple, T. ; John

B. Martin, G. ; Charles S. Pronge, guardian ; H. G. C. Daminer, S.
Sylvan Council No. 29, Order of Chosen Friends. — Was organ¬
ized February 20, 1884, and had as charter members Joseph Jones,
J. P. Brannock, L. E. Brannock, D. Shultz, A. M. Payne, M. O.

340

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Johnson, A. R. Redmon, A. Goddard, Cordelia Payne, J. A. Goddard,
William Stonebraker, Katie Stonebraker, L. Hill, William A. Mc¬
Kenzie, E. J. Progne, J. H. Alexander, V. R. Jones, C. F. Strath-
man, L. B. Strathman, W. L. Vick, M. G. Vick, D. M. Davis, J. R.
Mudd, John M. Cunningham. The present officers are Joseph Jones,
P. C. C. ; J. P. Brannock, C. C. ; L. E. Brannock, V. C. ; D. Shultz,
secretary ; J. S. Hill, treasurer ; M. L. Shultz, P. ; A. H. Payne, M. ;
M. A. Johnson, W. ; A. R. Redmon, G. ; A. Goddard, S.

OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE CITY OF ST. CHARLES FROM 1849 TO 1884.

1849 — Maj^or, Ludwell E. Powell; councilmen, Thomas W. Cun¬
ningham, Thomas Ruenzi, William M. Christy, Pressley Gill, Sir
Walter Rice, Louis Gerneau, Edwin D. Bevitt ( vide Pressley Gill
resigned) ; register, Alexander Chauvin ; marshal, John Hilbert;
treasurer, Antoine Lefaivre ; assessor, Isaac W. Copes.

1850 — Mayor, Cudwell E. Powell; councilmen, Thomas W. Cun¬
ningham, Thomas Ruenzi, William M. Christy, Pressley Gill, Sir
Walter Rice, Louis Gerneau ; register, Isaac W. Copes ; marshal,
John Hilbert; treasurer, Antoine Lefaivre; assessor, S. M. Gray.

1851 — Mayor, Edwin D. Bevitt; councilmen, Owen Andrews,
Francis Tosti, John Atkinson, William M. Christy, Augustus T.
Lackland, Louis Gerneau; register, Joseph H. Alexander; marshal,
Robert McClarin ; treasurer, Norman Lackland ; attorney, Arnold
Krekel ; engineer, Arnold Krekel ; recorder, F. W. Gatzweiler;
assessor, F. W. Gatzweiler.

1852 — Mayor, Fred W. Gatzweiler; councilmen, Herman Mal-
linckrodt, Ninian B. Barron, William M. Christy, Edwin D. Bevitt,
Antoine Lefaivre, Louis Gerneau ; register, Isaac W. Copes ; marshal,
John Hilbert ; treasurer, Eugene Gauss ; attorney, Arnold Krekel ;
recorder, Henry C. Lackland ; assessor, Sir Walter Rice.

1853 — Mayor, Ludwell E. Powell ; councilmen, Charles H. Broad¬
water, Melchoir Thro, William M. Christy, Edwin D. Bevitt, Sir
Walter Rice, Francis Muelle ; register, Joseph H. Alexander; mar¬
shal, Robert McClarin ; treasurer, Eugene Gauss ; attorney, Andrew
King ; recorder, Robert A. King ; assessor, Sir Walter Rice.

1854 — Mayor, Samuel Overall; councilmen, Anton Meyer, Nelson
C. Orear, John Paule, Edwin D. Bevitt, Lorenzo D. Holmes, Louis
Gerneau ; register, Joseph H. Alexander; marshal, Robert McClarin ;
treasurer, William M. Christy ; attorney, Andrew King ; engineer, B.
A. Alderson ; recorder and assessor, Asa N. Overall.

1855 — Mayor, Thomas W. Cunningham ; councilmen, William P.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

341

Gibbs, Peter Hausman, Fred W. Gatzweiler, John Atkinson, Henry
Brcemmelmeyer, Lorenzo D. Holmes, Toussaint Brunelle ; register,
Isaac W. Copes ; marshal, Charles B. Branham ; treasurer, John K.
McDearmon ; attorney, William M. Edwards ; engineer B. A. Alder-
son ; recorder, Sir Walter Rice ; assessor, Ludwell E. Powell.

1856 — Mayor, W. P. Gibbs, councilmen, John E. Stonebraker,
Peter Hausman, Fred W. Gatzweiler, John Orrick, Christopher
Weeke, Francis Nuelle, Freeman W. Hinman ; register, Isaac W.
Copes ; marshal, Charles B. Branham ; treasurer, John K. McDear¬
mon ; attorney, William W. Edwards; engineer, Theodore Bruere ;
recorder, O. C. Rood ; assessor, Sir Walter Rice.

1857 — Mayor, John Hilbert; councilmen, Anton Meyer, Freeman
W. Hinman, Edwin D. Bevitt, Stephen H. Merten, Sir Walter Rice,
Anton Haake ; register, Isaac W. Copes; marshal, Charles B. Bran¬
ham ; treasurer, Melchoir Thro ; attorney, Andrew King ; engineer,
Theodore Bruere; recorder, Oliver C. Rood; assessor, John Hilbert,
Jr.

1858 — Mayor, John Hilbert; councilmen, Anton Meyer, Arnold
Krekel, Edwin D. Bevitt, Stephen H. Merten, Bazille Pallardie,
Anton Haake; register, William A. Alexander; marshal, John A.
Richey; treasurer, Melchoir Thro; attorney, Andrew King; engi¬
neer, Theodore Bruere; recorder, Oliver C. Rood; assessor, Charles
Hug.

1859 — Mayor, Ludwell E. Powell; councilmen, John Hilbert,
Peter Hausman, Herman Parklage, Asa N. Overall, Henry Broemmel-
meyer, Charles B. Branham, Edwin D. Bevitt; register, William A.
Alexander; marshal, Rezen A. Tagart ; treasurer, Charles Hug;
attorney, Virginius Randolph; engineer, Joseph E. Fielding;
recorder, Oliver C. Rood ; assessor, Charles Hug.

1860 — Mayor, John Hilbert; councilmen, Anton Meyer, Francis
Moellenhoff, Henry C. Lackland, Peter Hausman, Asa N. Overall,
Ab. Ruenzi ; register, William A. Alexander; marshal, Robinson
Dugan ; treasurer, Charles Hug ; attorney, Henry A. Cunningham ;
engineer, Joseph E. Fielding; recorder, Oliver C. Rood ; street com¬
missioner, Anton Meyer; assessor, John H. Platt.

1861 — Mayor, Asa N. Overall; councilmen, Anton Meyer, John
Pourie, Francis Oberkcetter, James C. Gamble, Francis Moellenhoff,
Henry C. Lackland ; register, Joseph H. Alexander ; marshal, Rezen
A. Tagart; treasurer, Charles Hug; attorney, William W. Edwards ;
engineer, Joseph E. Fielding ; recorder, Oliver C. Rood ; street com¬
missioner, Anton Meyer ; assessor, John B. Thro.

342

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

1862 — Mayor, Peter Hansam ; councilmen, Francis Oberkoetter,
John H. Senden, Valentine Kock, Frederick Heye, Frederick Meyer,
Francis Mcellenkoff ; register, Gustave Bruere ; marshal, Townsend
B. Cady ; treasurer, Charles Hug; attorney, William W. Edwards;
engineer, Joseph E. Fielding; recorder, O. C. Rood; assessor, Will
iam E. Clauss.

1863 — Mayor, Peter Hausman ; councilmen, Valentine Kock, Fred¬
erick Heye, Francis Oberkoetter, John H. Senden, Anton Haake,
Fred. Meyer; register, William E. Clauss; marshal, George H. Sen¬
den ; treasurer, Charles Hug ; attorney, Theodore Bruere ; engineer,
Joseph E. Fielding; recorder, Oliver C. Rood.

1864 — Mayor, John C. Mittelberger ; councilmen, Francis Mer¬
ten, Herman Kuhlmann, John H. Senden, Stephen H. Merten, Isaac
W. Copes, Henry Meyer ; register, John B. Thro ; marshal, George
H. Senden ; treasurer, E. F. Gut ; attorney, Theodore Bruere ; engi
neer, Joseph E. Fielding; recorder, Oliver C. Rood; assessor, John
H. Platt.

1865 — Mayor, Charles Hug; councilmen, Anton Meyer, Stephhen
H. Merten, Christopher Weeke, Francis Marten, John H. Senden,

F. Linnemaim ; register, John B. Thro ; marshal, George H. Senden ;
treasurer, Anton Haake ; attorney, Theodore Bruere ; engineer,
Joseph E. Fielding; recorder, Oliver C. Rood; assessor, Joseph E.
Fielding.

1866 — Mayor, Charles Hug ; councilmen, E. H. Bloebaum, Charles
Rahmoeller, Henry Meyer, Stephhen H. Merten, Anton Meyer, Chris¬
topher Weeke ; register, John B. Thro ; marshal, George H. Senden ;
treasurer, Anton Haake ; attorney, Theodore Bruere ; engineer, Joseph
E. Fielding; recorder, O. C. Rood; assessor, Frederick Melkers-
mann.

1867 — Mayor, Charles Hug; councilmen, George T. Gardiner,
Christian Mittrucker, Frank Bernhoester, E. H. Bloebaum, Charles
Rahmoeller, Henry Meyer ; register, John *B. Thro ; marshal, Charles

G. Johann; treasurer, H. F. Pieper ; attorney, Theodore Bruere;
engineer, F. Melkersmann ; recorder, O. C. Rood ; assessor, John
B. Thro.

1868 — Mayor, Charles Hug; councilmen, H. Borgmann, George
Becker, Henry Meyer, George Gardiner, Christian Mittrucker, F.
Bernhoester, Charles Rahmoeller ; register, John Adams ; marshal,
Charles G. Johann; treasurer, H. F. Pieper; attorney, Theodore
Bruere ; engineer, F. Melkersmann ; recorder, Oliver C. Rood ;
assessor, Emile Thro.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

343

1869 — Mayor, Charles Hug; eouncilmen, Henry Borgmann,
Charles Rahmoeller, Henry Meyer, Jacob Zeisler, Henry Kister, J.
Philip Hoehn, Peter Fetch, C. F. Hafer ; register, John Adams;
marshal, Charles G. Johann; treasurer, H. F. Pieper ; attorney,
Theodore Bruere ; engineer, F. Melkersmann ; recorder, O. C. Rood ;
assessor, John B. Thro.

1870 — Mayor, William A. Alexander; eouncilmen, Jacob Zeisler,
Henry Kister, J. Philip Hoehn, E. Curtis Rice, Fred Neye, Peter M.
Fetch, Henry Meyer, Charles F. Hafer ; register, John Adams ; mar¬
shal, Charles G. Johann; treasurer, H. F. Pieper; attorney, T. F.
McDearmon; engineer, Joseph E. Fielding; recorder, O. C. Rood;
assessor, John B. Thro.

1871 — Mayor, William A. Alexander; eouncilmen, E. Curtis
Rice, Ernst H. Bloebaum, Fred Neye, Peter M. Fetch, Henry Meyer,
Jacob Zeisler, John Hilbert, Henry Mester, Fred Lienemann ; regis¬
ter, Henry R. Hupe ; marshal, J. Philip Hoehn; treasurer, H. F.
Pieper; attorney, T. F. McDearmon; engineer, Carl C. Ertz ;
recorder, O. C. Rood ; assessor, John T. Powell.

1872 — Mayor, John C. Mittelberger ; eouncilmen, Jacob Zeisler,
John Hilbert, Herm. Landwehr, Henry Mester, Fred Lienemann,
Ernst H. Bloebaum, J. William Kolkmeyer, John E. Stonebraker,
Anton Haake ; register and ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe ; mar¬
shal, J. Philip Hoehn; treasurer, H. F. Pieper; attorney, T. F.
McDearmon ; engineer, R. G. Ross ; recorder, John T. Powell ;
assessor, C. H. Huncker.

1873 — Mayor, John C. Mittelberger; eouncilmen, Ernst H. Bloe¬
baum, J. William Kolkmeyer, John E. Stonebraker, Anton Haake,
Jacob Zeisler, Joseph W. Ruenzi, Charles F. Hafer, Fred Lienemann ;
register and ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe; marshal, J. Philip
Hoehn ; treasurer, Henry Linnemann ; attorney, T. F. McDearmon ;
engineer, Carl C. Ertz; recorder, John T. Powell; assessor, C. H.
Huncker.

1874 — Mayor, Jacob Zeisler; eouncilmen, Gustave Strathmann,
Joseph W. Ruenzi, Charles F. Hafer, Fred Lienemann, Ernst H.
Bloebaum, J. F. Kausteiner, A. H. Stonebraker, Anton Haake ; reg¬
ister and ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe; marshal, J. Philip
Hoehn ; treasurer, Henry Linnemann ; attorney, T. F. McDearmon ;
engineer, Carl C. Ertz ; superintendent of public works, Carl C. Ertz ;
recorder, John T. Powell ; assessor, E. Curtis Rice.

1875 — Mayor, Jacob Zeisler; eouncilmen, Ernst H. Bloebaum,
J. F. Kausteiner, A. H. Stonebraker, Anton Haake, Gustave Strath-

344

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

maim, Julius Quade, John H. Senden, Casper Thro; register and
ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe ; marshal, Joseph W. Ruenzi ;
treasurer, James B. Pritchett ; attorney, T.F. McDearmon ; engineer,
Washington Gill ; recorder, John T. Powell ; assessor, E. Curtis Rice.

1876 — Mayor, Jacob Zeisler ; councilmen, Gustave Strathmann,
Julius Quade, John H. Senden, Casper Thro, Hy. E. Machens, J. H.
Kansteiner, A. H. Stonebraker, Fred Lienemann; register and ex-
officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe ; marshal, Joseph W. Ruenzi ; treas¬
urer, James B. Pritchett ; attorney, T. F. McDearmon ; engineer,
Washington Gill ; recorder, William M. Christy ; assessor, E. Curtis
Rice.

1877 — Mayor, Jacob Zeisler; councilmen, Henry E. Machens, J.
F. Kausteiner, A. H. Stonebraker, Frederick Lienemann, Gustave
Bruere, Julius Quade, John F. Dierker, Louis H. Breker ; register and
ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe; marshal, Joseph W. Ruenzi ; trea¬
surer, J. Phillip Hoehn ; attorney, T. F. McDearmon ; engineer,
Washington Gill ; recorder, William M. Christy ; assessor, E. Curtis
Rice.

1878 — Mayor, Stephen H. Merten; councilmen, G. Bruere, Julius
Quade, J. F. Dierker, Louis H. Breker, Charles H. Kemper, J. F.
Kausteiner, A. H. Stonebraker, Herman H. Schaberg ; register and
ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe ; marshal, Joseph W. Ruenzi ; trea¬
surer, J. Phillip Hoehn; attorney, F. W. Hinman ; engineer, Wash¬
ington Gill ; recorder, William M. Christy ; assessor, William E.
Clauss, John T. Powell (vice, William E. Clauss, deceased).

1879 — Mayor, Stephen H. Merten; councilmen, C. H. Kemper, J.
F. Kausteiner, A. H. Stonebraker, Herman H. Schaberg, G. Bruere,
L. Ringe, G. Johannpeter, L. H. Breker ; register and ex-officio
weigher, Henry B. Hupe ; marshal, Joseph Decker, Joseph W. Ruenzi
(vice Joseph Decker, deceased); treasurer, J. Phillip Hoehn;
attorney, F. W. Hinman ; engineer, Washington Gill ; recorder, Will¬
iam M. Christy, Casper Thro (vice William M. Christy, deceased) ;
assessor, John T. Powell (vice William E. Clauss, deceased).

1880 — Mayor, A. H. Stonebraker; councilmen, G. Bruere, G.
Strathmann (vice G. Bruere, resigned), L. Ringe, G. Johannpeter,
L. H. Breker, Henry Hund, J. F. Hackmann, W. W. Dugan, Herman
H. Schaberg ; register and ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe ; mar¬
shal, Aug. Friedrich ; treasurer, J. Phillip Hoehn ; attorney, F. W.
Hinman ; engineer, Washington Gill ; recorder, J. L. Dotson ; asses¬
sor, Charles G. Johann ; chief of fire department, Joseph W. Ruenzi,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

345

■first assistant engineer, Hubert Hachting ; second assistant engineer,
Herman H. Schaberg.

1881 — Mayor, A. H. Stonebraker ; councilmen, H. Hund, J. F.
Hackmann, W. W. Dugan, C. A. Tripp (vice W. W. Dugan,
resigned), C. L. Hug (vice C. A. Tripp, resigned), H. H. Schaberg,
G. Strathmann, Louis Ringe, G. Johannpeter, L. H. Breker ; register
and ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe ; marshal, Aug. Friedrich ;
treasurer, J. Philip Hoehn ; attorney, F. W. Hinman ; engineer,
Washington Gill; recorder, J. L. Dotson, Casper Thro (vice J. L.
Dotson, resigned) ; assessor, Charles G. Johann ; chief of fire depart¬
ment, Joseph W. Ruenzi ; first assistant engineer, Hubert Hachting;
second assistant engineer, Herman H. Schaberg.

1882 — Mayor, Louis H. Breker; councilmen, G. Strathmann, L.
Ringe, G. Johannpeter, Aug. Paule, J. F. Hackmann, C.'L. Hug, F.
Lienemann, L. Heckmann (vice L. H. Breker, resigned); register
and ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe; marshal, Aug. Friedrich;
treasurer, J. Phillip Hoehn ; attorney, H. C. Lackland ; engineer,
Washington Gill ; recorder, John Dolan ; assessor, Charles G. Johann ;
chief of fire department, Joseph W. Ruenzi ; first assistant engineer,
Hubert Hachting; second assistant engineer, Herman H. Schaberg.

1883 — Mayor, Louis H. Breker ; councilmen, A. Paule, C. S. Hug,
F. Lienemann, Theo. Gauss, L. Ringe, J. F. Hackmann, Herman
Landwehr (vice J. F. Hackmann, resigned), G. Johannpeter, L.
Heckmann ; register and ex-officio weigher, Henry B. Hupe ; marshal,
Aug. Friedrich; treasurer, J. Philip Hoehn; attorney, H. C. Lack-
land ; engineer, Washington Gill ; recorder, John Dolan ; assessor,
Charles G. Johann; chief of fire department, Joseph W. Ruenzi ;
first assistant engineer, Hubert Hachting ; second assistant engineer,
Herman H. Schaberg.

1884 — Mayor, J. F. Hackman; councilmen, Theo. Gauss, L.
Ringe, G. Johannpeter, L. Heckmann, A. Paule, H. Landw^ehr, J. N.
Mittelberger, F. Lienemann ; register and ex-officio weigher, Henry
B. Hupe; marshal, Aug. Friedrich; treasurer, J. Philip Hoehn;
attorney, T. F. McDearmon ; engineer, Washington Gill; recorder,
John Dolan ; assessor, Charles G. Johann ; chief of fire department,
Joseph W. Ruenzi ; first assistant engineer, Hubert Hachting ; second
assistant engineer, Herman H. Schaberg.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The Presbyterian Church was the second that planted its standard
in St. Charles. Ministers of that denomination early made their

346

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

appearance in Missouri, even while it was under Spanish rule, but
showed but little strength for many years afterwards.

The church at St. Charles consisted of nine members, John
Bracken, Theophilus McPheeters, Thomas Lindsay, Margaret, hi$
wife ; James Lindsay, and Charlotte, his wife ; Ebenezer Ayers and
Deborah, his wife, and Elizabeth Emmons, and was organized
August 30, 1818, by Rev. Salmon Giddings, assisted by Rev. Jno.
Matthews, and for a short time they were cared for by Rev. Timothy
Flint, then resident here, the author of a “ History of the Mississippi
Valley and upon, or perhaps before, Mr. Flint’s departure to
Arkansas, Rev. Chas. S. Robinson took charge of the church,
being also engaged in teaching school. Some of his scholars still
reside here.

Rev. Geo. C. Wood, Rev. W. W. Hall, D. D., (editor of Hall's
Journal of Health) , Rev . W. Nichols, Rev. H. Chamberlain, Rev.
Jas. Gallaher, successively ministered to the church until the New
and Old School controversy in 1837. After that controversy, Rev.
A. Munson became pastor, since which time it has had the ministerial
services of a number of preachers.

In 1866 the church was again divided by the unfortunate contro-
versy growing out of the acts of the Presbytery of Louisville, and
certain ministers and elders, and the acts of the General Assembly
condemnatory of those acts ; whereas there was before but one
church building, and that one in a tumble-down condition, there are
now two churches, both neat and ornamental.

The church near the corner of Fifth and Madison, of which Rev. E.
Martin is pastor, has a large membership and their church property
is worth about $15,000.

The church on Jefferson street numbers about 150 members, of
whom about 60 reside in the Point Prairie. The value of the property
in the city is about $17,000, and of the church built by the Point
Prairie members is worth about $3,500.

The German Evangelical congregation, whose church stands about
three miles from St. Charles, was organized in 1836. and has been
known ever since by the name of Frieden Gemeinde (Congregation of
Peace). Up to the present time, it has had but five ministers, the
present minister having served them since 1858. The first church
building was of rough stone, and the first parsonage of logs, with only
one room. In 1850 they built a neat brick parsonage, to which they
added in time a school house, a teacher’s dwelling and church. The
property owned by the congregation is worth about $10,000 ; and the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

347

congregation itself contains about 60 families, 300 souls. Formerly
the congregation comprised many families residing in the city, but in
1868 the city members organized themselves into a separate church,
connecting themselves with the German Evangelical Synod of the
West, to which the mother church also belonged — the new church
taking the name of St. John’s Church.

They at once bought ground, which had a pastor’s dwelling and
school-house on it, and commenced the erection of a church, which
was completed and dedicated in October, 1869. Since that time they
have been steadily increasing. They own a beautiful little church
and valuable grounds for parsonage and school purposes.

The Franklin Street Baptist Church, the only white Baptist Church
in St. Charles, was constituted February 10, 1871, with a member¬
ship of ten persons. Preaching, Sunday-school and other services were
conducted for about nine months, first in the old Masonic Hall and after¬
wards in the court-house. The Methodist Episcopal Church (North)
had sometime before this erected a neat, brick church, 30 by 50 feet,
at a cost of about $5,000, but becoming involved in debt and depleted
in membership by the removal of many of its members, a large number
of whom were here only during the building of the St. Charles bridge,
the trustees were compelled by force of circumstances to sell. The
Baptist society purchased the property at a cost of $3,000. The edi¬
fice is substantially built of brick, well seated aiid lighted, warmed
and ventilated, and comfortable and convenient it its arrangement.
The society has steadily increased in numbers and efficiency, giving
promise that, though yet small and weak, it has before it a career of
prosperity and usefulness.

The Evangelical Protestant (St. Paul’s) Church is in connection
with the Union of the Evangelical Churches of the West, which con¬
sists of two districts, the Eastern consisting of some 30 churches,
and the Western, in which the church under review is situated, com¬
prising about 16 churches. This St. Charles church was organ¬
ized May 21, 1865, and at present it numbers about 80 ; children in
Sunday-school about 75 ; children in day school about 60. The con¬
gregation owns their church building, school-house and parsonage,
valued at about $30,000 on which there is a debt of about $8,000.

The German Methodist Church of St. Charles was organized in
1847, by the Rev. F. Horstman of the Illinois Conference, with a
membership of 16. The society having increased greatly over the
original number, a house of worship was erected in 1849, and a par¬
sonage in 1850, at a cost of about $2,500. Since that time, the

348

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

church has steadily increased in numbers, though many of its mem¬
bers have from time to time removed to other parts, the necessities
becoming so urgent that in 1869 a larger and more commodious edifice
was erected, being the one now occupied. The total value of the
property owned by the society is about $20,000, with a total mem¬
bership of 104, the present condition and future prospects being very

encouraging.

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church was constituted in 1848,
with some 17 members, and in 1849 its members built a small but
substantial stone church. The church since its original organization
has had but two pastors, the first serving till 1859, and the second
who commenced his labors here in 1859, being still the pastor of the
church. Like so many others, this building also soon became too
straight for the congregation. They tore down the old church, and
in 1867 erected the present large and commodious brick building. It
is in gothic style, 56 by 110 feet in size, with accommodation for
about 800 persons, having a large and powerful organ, a chime of
bells, church clock, etc. They have a voting membership of 138, and
over 500 communicants, controlling 5 parochial schools (2 in the city
and 3 in the country), with a total attendance of over 300 children.
The value of their church property is about $44,000.

The (Trinity) Episcopal Church of St. Charles was organized June
5, 1836, on the occasion of a visit of the Rev. P. R. Minard, St.
Louis. Of the first vestry, none remain but the Messrs. Orrick
Benjamin and John.

At that time there was no Episcopal bishop in Missouri, and ser¬
vices were held only occassionally until May, 1840, when Rev. Isaac
Smith was elected rector. An effort was made in 1841 to build a
church, but failed. The church maintained its organization, but had
no services except as clergymen from abroad visited St. Charles.

In 1855 Rev. Geo. K. Dunlop became rector, and was succeeded
in 1857 by Rev. McKim. In 1859, the old Methodist Church on Main
street was purchased by the wardens and vestrymen, and Rev. Wm.
N. Irish became pastor, and so continued to be till 1861. The church
was for several years occasionally visited by various ministers, till
1867, when regular services twice a month were instituted and kept
up. The congregation in the meantime had sold the old Methodist
Church and purchased the old public school-house, which itself was
sold, and the society built their present neat and comfortable chapel,
which is 25 by 55, and can seat about 200 persons. Present mem¬
bership about 20, with a Sabbath-school of about 40.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

349

The Methodist Episcopal Church had a society in St. Charles at an
early day, but the writer has not been able to ascertain the precise
date. One of its faithful and constant supporters was Mrs. Catharine
Collier, who was also afterward such a constant and firm friend to St.
Charles College. The first church building ever owned by this de¬
nomination in the city was erected chiefly through the efforts of Mrs.
Collier. That building was used by them for many years ; but the
society becoming stronger and abler, sold the old church to the Epis¬
copalians, and erected the present neat and commodious house of wor¬
ship. In the division of the church in 1844, the society here adhered
to the Southern branch. In the last few years the Northern branch
gathered a little flock and erected a neat chapel, but on the comple¬
tion of the bridge all their members scattered abroad, and the house
was sold to the Baptists, which is now the Franklin Street Baptist
Church. With this slight exception, the old church of which we are
now speaking is the only one of English-speaking Methodists they
have had.

The church is prospering, maintaining public worship and Sabbath-
school with regularity. They have a very neat brick parsonage
which is a credit to them. The value of their house of worship and
parsonage must be at least $15,000.

/St. Peter's Church. — St. Peter’s German Catholic Congregation

O o

was organized in 1848. In the same vear the corner-stone of a new
church was laid. The pastors of the congregation have been : Rev.
Jos. Rauch, January 1, 1850-1851 (during whose pastorate a
parochial school for boys and girls was opened) ; Rev. Chr. Wapel-
horst, 1857-1865 (in 1861 the present church was built, the former
having been destroyed by a cyclone) ; Rev. P. Th. Vogg, 1865-1867 •
Rev. Th. Krainhard, 1867-1868 (the present school building then
built) ; Rev. Ed. Holthaus, 1868 ; Rev. Ed. Koch, 1868-1875 ; Rev.
T. Meller, 1875-1881 ; Rev. Tr. Willmes, 1881, and now in charge.

From 1867 the pastor was generally assisted by a second priest.
The congregation consists now of about 1,200 souls; 270 children
visiting the parochial school, are taught by one lay teacher and five
sisters of Notre Dame.

Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Church. — During the early set¬
tlement of the Germans about St. Charles, when their number was
small, the German Protestants all worshiped together in a small
stone church two miles west of the city. The congregation consisted,
however, of such heterogenous elements that peace and edification
were impossible. After many years of strife, during which at times a

350

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

minister with Lutheran tendencies, then an outspoken Nationalist, or
again, a German Reformed minister occupied the pulpit. The Luther¬
ans severed their connection with the old stone church on the Boone’s
Lick road, and, uniting with a few Lutherans who had settled in the

city and below St. Charles, laid the foundation to what is now the
%/

large and flourishing Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation
With the assistance of the Rev. H. Fisk, who was at the time min¬
ister of a Lutheran Church at New Melle, a Lutheran congregation
was organized in the year A. D. 1848. The following members
inscribed their names in the church record : —

J. Herm. Moehlenkamp, J. Henry Stumberg, J. Ch. Kuhlhoff, J.
Herm. Laging, Dietrich Moehlenkamp, William Beckebrede, J. D.
Holrah, Win. Bruns, Herm. Wilke, Rudolph Moentmann, Dietrich
Tumbehl, Herm. D. Sandfort, Henry Ehlmann, Dietrich Thoele, Henry
Moehlenkamp, C. N. Dahmann, Friedrick Droste, Ernest Placke-
mever, Wm. Hagemann, H. D. Ehlmann — 20 voting members.

In the same year the congregation called the candidate of theology,
Rudolph Lange, now professor in the Concordia Theological Seminary,
to the ministry.

The congregation having no edifice of its own, was permitted, by
the kindness and generosity of the members of the First Presbyterian
Church, to use theirs in the afternoon.

For about a year regular services were conducted by the Rev. R.
Lange in the Presbyterian Church, when, through his efficient labors,
the congregation was able to erect a good stone building on the corner
of Sixth and Jefferson streets, which was dedicated in October, 1849.

In 1858 Rev. R. Lange accepted a call to the Lutheran Concordia
College at St. Louis, Mo. For successor, Rev. J. H. Ph. Graebner,
at Roseville, Mich., was called, who could not come before spring, in
1859, because the congregation at Roseville disliked to dismiss him.
During the vacancy which ensued, Rev. G. Gruber filled the ministe¬
rial office of the congregation. In May, 1859, Rev. Graebner entered
upon his office in St. Charles, which he has attended to since then.
At this time the number of voting members was 64. In the course
of several years the number of members increased to so many the
old church building would not contain the auditors for sacred services.
In consequence thereof, the congregation erected at the same place,
after removing the old building, the present spacious building at the
expense of over $40,000. Later, the congregation increasing so much,
and the members being dispersed so far about, the congregation called
Mr. F. Sievers, then candidate of theology, as second minister. In

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

351

1876 a new congregation had been, as a branch of the mother congre-
gation, instituted in the so-called “Point Prairie.” In consequence
thereof Rev. F. Sievers accepted a call to Minneapolis, Minn., leaving
Rev. J. H. Ph. Graebner to attend to the congregation alone. A few
months ago (August, 1884), a second new congregation of the
mother congregation of the fifth district was instituted at Har¬
vester, which has called Rev. U. Iben, from Farmington, Francois
county, Mo. After these two new congregations separated, the
number of voting members of the mother congregation was 118.
The congregation had, from beginning until 1866, a one-graded
parochial school in the city, to which, in that year, a second grade
was added. Previous to this, the congregation had already in three
of their districts in the county, parochial schools. As the spacious¬
ness of the school in the city, after adding the second grade, had
become too confined, the congregation erected a large building for
school purposes on Jefferson and Seventh streets. Three years ago a
third grade was added. The teachers of the city school are, at pres¬
ent : A. Mack, H. H. Eggebrecht, and Miss P. Mohrmann. After
separation of the above named two new congregations, the old Imman¬
uels congregation has still, in one of their country districts, a parochial
school. Teacher, Mr. R. Hoelscher. After Rev. J. H. Ph. Graebner
had been officiating 25 years at St. Charles, the congregation, in May,
1884, celebrated his jubilee, and, at the same time, donated to him
valuable gifts.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOSEPH H. ALEXANDER

(Cashier of the Union Savings Bank, St. Charles).

A plain, unassuming and highly respected citizen of St. Charles
county, one whose life thus far has been busily and worthily occupied
with the duties and responsibilities his situation seemed to impose,
Mr. Alexander is a man whose past is without reproach and whose
career has been one of much credit for the industry, perseverance and
personal worth he has shown, and for the enviable position in the
community he has attained, almost alone by his own exertions and
merits, and by means that have never been called in question. Free
from all pretention and thoroughly averse to anything that has even
the appearance of empty commendation, the greatest difficulty met
with in preparing a sketch of his life for the present work is to so

352

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

speak of his character and worth as to do him justice without giving
offense to his almost over-sensitive distaste for all manner of public
expressions of approbation. A plain, self-respecting, unassuming
man, only such a sketch as shall be in consonance with his character
in this respect will be ventured — a sketch as plain as a naked state¬
ment of facts can render it. Mr. Alexander is a Louisianan by
nativity, born in Baton Rouge parish, February 29, 1828. He was
the youngest son of Isaac and Mary H. (Miller) Alexander, his father
originally from Scotland, but his mother a native of Pennsylvania.
Both parents died, however, when Joseph H. was quite young, and he
was taken by some relatives of his mother to rear. In early youth
his school advantages were very limited. Indeed, at the age of 10
years he had not yet learned the alphabet. But later along he had
an opportunity to attend the Montpelier Academy, in St. Helena
parish, which he improved. He studied with great assiduity at that
academy and made rapid progress in his books. About this time he
formed two warm and valuable friendships. Rev. W. H. Parks and
Hon. Robert H. Parks kindly interested themselves in his behalf and
rendered him material assistance in prosecuting his studies. They
gave him instruction in the more difficult English branches and in Latin
and Greek. Subsequently they removed to St. Charles county, and
young Alexander, having gone to Ohio in 1842, came with his friends
to Missouri in 1843 and also located with them in St. Charles county.
He was now qualified to teach school, and here, accordingly, he was
employed to take charge of a school, which he kept with success
through one term. The confinement to the school-room, however,
proved injurious to his health, and he therefore engaged in farm work.
Still desiring to complete his education, in the spring of 1846 he
entered college at St. Charles, where he continued until his final gradua¬
tion. While taking his collegiate course he taught some of the
college classes a part of the time, and by so doing defrayed a part of
his own expenses at college. Before his graduation young Alexander
had decided to devote himself to the legal profession, and with this
object in view he began the study of law under his old friend, Hon.
Robert H. Parks, immediately after quitting college. After a thor¬
ough course of preparatory study he was regularly admitted to the
bar in 1850. As an evidence of what his legal attainments were at
that time, it is worthy of remark that immediately after his admission
he was taken in as a partner in the practice by his former preceptor,
Mr. Parks, who was best qualified to judge of his qualifications and
ability for the practice. This partnership continued with mutual sat¬
isfaction and advantage until 1853, when Mr. Parks retired from the
practice and Mr. Alexander formed a partnership with Hon. Edward
A. Lewis, a leading lawyer then and now Chief Justice of the St.
Louis Court of Appeals. The practice of law, however, becoming
distasteful, on account of a long spell of sickness and general ill-
health and for other reasons, Mr. Alexander withdrew from his
profession altogether, and in 1864 accepted the position of cashier
of the First National Bank. This he continued to hold up to the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

353

organization of the present Union Savings Bank, in which he became
a stockholder and of which he was elected cashier. He has been in
the present bank in the capacity of cashier ever since that time con¬
tinuously. Mr. Alexander, as all know who know anything about his
connection with banking, has made a most efficient and popular
cashier. More than this: His thorough knowledge of the people of
the county, their characters, and the property standing of each, as
well as his excellent business judgment and financial ability and legal
training and knowledge, have been of great value to the institutions
with which he has been connected. The success of the Union Savings

Bank is unquestionably largely due to his good judgment, business
qualifications and the thorough confidence which the public have in
his personal and business honor. Mr. Alexander is a man whose
word, in St. Charles county and wherever he is known, is as good as
his bond. No man stands higher than he in the public confidence.
He has been an earnest, exemplary member of the Presbyterian
Church ever since he was 14 years of age ; and he was ordained
an elder at the age of 26. His private life is in strict accord with his
public professions. Even in his personal habits there is nothing disa¬
greeable, such as using tobacco and other small vices, which are not
always in the codex expur gatorius of gentlemen. Mr. Alexander is
of course a man of family. He was married December 9, 1851. His
wife was a Miss Jane Cornforth, a daughter of William Cornforth of
St. Charles, but formerly of England. Mr. and Mrs. A. have seven
children : Emily A., now the wife of John B. Martin; Thornton K.,
now of St. Paul, Minn. ; William C., now of Brooksville, Fla. ;
Josie, a young lady, still at home ; Annie L., now attending Linden-
wood Female College ; Kobert P. and Frankie T. Mr. Alexander
has never taken any very active interest in politics, but has frequently
been called to serve in official positions of a local character, including
the office of public administrator of the county. During the regime
of the Whig party he was a Whig in politics, but has ever since voted
and acted with the Democratic party.

MAJ. BENJAMIN A. ALDERSON

(Retired Farmer and Civil Engineer, St. Charles).

In the early history of railroad building in this country the name
that heads this sketch will ever occupy a well recognized and enviable
position. Maj. Alderson was a member of one of the first railway
surveying corps organized in Baltimore, and assisted to survey the
line of one of the first great passenger roads built, the Baltimore and
Ohio. He was subsequently connected with railway surveying and
construction in the South and West for some 12 or 15 years.
After a successful experience in railway engineering Maj. Alderson
engaged in agricultural life and has continued identified with farming
up to the present time. While he accumulated a comfortable prop¬
erty through his connection with railroad building, he by no means
amassed a large fortune as most of those prominently connected with

354

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

railroads did in those early days. Opportunities for profitable spec¬
ulation were abundant, but the setting of all scruples aside for the al¬
mighty dollar has never been one of his characteristics. What he
made, he made as the legitimate and regular reward of his services —
nothing more, nothing less — and this was all he accumulated in his
railroad experience. Maj. Alderson has been a resident of St. Charles
county for over 40 years, and is well known here as one of its oldest
and most highly respected citizens. He has reared a worthy family
of children who have gone out into the world and become well estab¬
lished in life. His past life, though it has not been altogether un¬
clouded by sorrow and misfortune, has been one, nevertheless, in
which, upon the whole, there is perhaps as little to regret as usually
falls to the lot of men. In the early history of railroad surveys in
this country it was attended with some trials. Frequently citizens
along the line of survey made objections, and would order off and
drive away the engineer corps, sometimes committing great bodily
harm, even to the taking of life. Maj. Alderson had many cases of
this kind — in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Mis¬
souri. He was never known to change his line for anv threat or
bodily attempt to oust him. The only forcible attempt was at Mid¬
way, Ky. This physical display of science failed, and was never tried
again. Many incidents in a long life, of what we call a self-made
man, might be enumerated for the benefit of our young: men, but
cannot be added here. He is a native of Maryland, born near
Jarretsville, in Harford county, November 11, 1810. His father was
Judge Abel Alderson, a prominent citizen of that county, but origin¬
ally from Greenbrier county, Va. His grandfather on his mother’s
side was the Rev. John Davis, a native of Wales, England. His
mother was a Miss Anna Amos, a daughter of Benjamin Amos, a well-
known citizen of Harford county, Md., and a man remarkable for
energy, industry and economy. He amassed a handsome property,
consisting of half a dozen farms and several flouring mills, and it is
said of him that in one of his earlier days he split 1,000 chestnut
rails, half soled a pair of shoes and attended a ball that night. Maj.
Alderson’ s father was for many years a judge of the county court
and subsequently represented his county in the State Legislature.
He died in 1841, profoundly mourned by the people of the county.
Maj. Alderson, when a youth, had a great deal of the spirit of adven¬
ture, and longed to get out into the world to deal with the realities and
responsibilities of life. Courage and self-reliance have always been
among his leading characteristics. At the age of 16 he started out
for himself with only a common-school education and his unfearing
confidence in himself to make his way successfully through life. He
early showed marked talent for mathematics and at school advanced
in that science far beyond his years, mastering the higher branches
and becoming familiar with surveying and engineering. About this
time a surveying party for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was or¬
ganized and he felt that this was his opportunity. He at once
joined the engineer corps, and soon displayed marked talent

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

355

for railway surveying. This was only 18 months after he left home,
and from this time forward, for a number of years, he was continuously
connected with railway engineering and hard study and rose to a
prominent position in that profession. After being with the Baltimore
& Ohio for about four years he then entered the service of the Balti¬
more & Washington, and assisted to make the preliminary survey
and location of that road, being one of its chief assistant engineers in
charge of calculations and drawings. In about 1832 he was employed
as assistant engineer to survey the route of the Lexington & Ohio
Railroad in Kentucky, and was in the service of that company some
three years. After this, in 1835, he was appointed chief of a corps
of engineers on the proposed New Orleans and Nashville Railroad, and
completed the survey of the route of that road in the same fall. It
had now been over nine years since he left Baltimore, where he had
previously had charge of a store for about a year, to engage in rail¬
way engineering ; and accordingly he returned to that city where he
spent the following winter. In the spring of 1836 he went to Lexing¬
ton, Ky., and came thence to St. Charles county, Mo., where he
entered about 900 acres of fine land. He then returned to Louisville,
Ky., and entered the engineer corps on the surveys, location and con¬
struction of the Louisville and Lexington Road, in which position he
served for about a year. About this time he was solicited to take
charge of the construction of the Natchez & Jackson Railroad, in Mis¬
sissippi, which he did, receiving a large salary for his services. While
employed in this work he also surveyed and located a road from Can¬
ton to Jackson, Miss. While in Mississippi he met Miss Matilda
Farrar, a highly accomplished young lady of Washington, that State,
and of one of the prominent families of the State. Their acquaintance
shortly ripened into a devoted attachment and they were happily
married in the fall of 1838. Soon after this Maj. Alderson started
a large cotton plantation in Louisiana, carried on by slave labor,
which he conducted with success until his removal to Missouri, in
1844. Here he went to work improving his large body of land near
St. Charles, which he had entered a number of 3'ears before. He im¬
proved an excellent farm here, and with the exception of one or two
short absences has been in this county ever since. From 1848 he was
engineer for the St. Louis county rock and plank roads for about three
years, and was after this a member of the engineer corps of the old
North Missouri, now Wabash Road, for a time. In 1850 he removed
to St. Charles and has been a resident of this city ever since. He
has a comfortable residence property here and rents out his agricul¬
tural lands, in the county. He has always taken a public spirited
interest in the cause of education and has been one of the directors
and treasurers of Lindenwood Female College for the last 25
years. Maj. Alderson is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church.
He has been a member of the church for 35 years. Being a man of
sterling, old-fashioned ideas of honesty in public affairs, he is of course
a Democrat, strongly opposed to the new regime of extravagance and
corruption that prevails in the government. Maj. Alderson’s first

356

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

wife died in 1848. There is a daughter surviving of that union, Anna,
who is now the wife of Dr. G. W. Weems, of Moberly. His present
wife, a neice of Gov. Gamble, of Missouri, was a Miss Mary L. Baker,
formerly of Winchester, Va., a refined and excellent lady. Six chil¬
dren are the fruits of his last marriage, namely: Rev. Samuel B.
Alderson, for the past 11 years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church,
at Maysville, Ky., but now at Washington C. H., Ohio; Bettie G.,
the wife of Prof. Joseph C. Watkins, principal of the Male Academy
at Pleasant Hill, Mo. ; William A., a leading lawyer of Kansas City,
Mo. ; Fannie, the wife of C. A. Durrell, of Harrisburg, Pa. ; David
P. and Robert F., the first being second teller and the other a clerk
in the Merchants National Bank of Kansas City.

HENRY ANGERT

(Dealer in Groceries, Queen’s-ware, Glassware, Etc., St. Charles).

The lesson which Mr. Angert’s career teaches is that industry, close
attention to business and fair dealing, directed by good business
judgment and sustained by unswerving perseverance, will in the end
succeed, and succeed abundantly. Squaring his life according to these
principles he has come up, as the years have come and gone, from a
youth without means and limited education to a prominent position
among the leading and influential business men and intelligent and
highly respected citizens of St. Charles. Let us then present a brief
sketch of the life here referred to, that the young who may read this
volume may have the opportunity to profit b}' his example. He was
born in St. Charles, November 7, 1845, and was a son of Adam and
Mary (Boschert) Angert, his father originally from Hesse Darmstadt,
but his mother a native of Baden. Young Angert grew up in St.
Charles and had limited school advantages. He afterwards educated
himself by study during his leisure hours. At the age of 14 he en¬
tered the store of Hemy B. Denker as a clerk, where he received that
training in business affairs which has since proved the means of his
success. Saving up his wages economically, and always acting honor¬
ably, he accumulated a little cash ; but better than that, won the con¬
fidence of men who were ready to advance capital which he could with
advantage use. He started in business for himself as a member of the
firm of Angert & Brooker, and they continued in business until his
partner’s death. Since then he has carried on the business alone, and
has built up a large business. He carries a well selected and heavy
stock of goods, and does a trade that amounts to over $30,000 a year.
He has also accumulated considerable property and valuable securi¬
ties. He is a stockholder in and vice-president of the First Natioual
bank. He is vice-president and a director of the St. Charles Tobacco
Compan}^, and is prominently connected with other enterprises of the
city. Mr. Angert is a man of family. He was married in May, 1869,
to Miss Josephine Thro. She died March 24, 1876, leaving a daugh¬
ter, Mary A. He was married to his present wife in April, 1877.
She was the widow of his late partner in business, August Brooker,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

357

and her maiden name was Adie Mlitzko, formerly of Vienna, Austria.
She came across to America unattended by any friend or relative when
only 12 years of age. This shows that even then she was not lacking
in courage. She has two children bv her former marriage : Charles
and August Brooker. Bv the last marriage they have one child :
Eugene. Mr. and Mrs. Angert are members of the Catholic Church.
Recently Mr. Angert was a candidate for the office of county treas¬
urer, and at the election November 4, 1884, was elected by a hand¬
some majority to this position.

J. H. HENRI BASELER

(Dealer in and Repairer of Sewing Machines, etc., and Maker of Artificial Gallinarium

Incubators, St. Charles).

Mr. Baseler is a native of Maryland, born at Baltimore, November
28, 1837. He was the eldest in a family of 11 children of Chris¬
tian and Helena ( Woldmann) Baseler, who came to this country from
Germany and settled at Baltimore in 1835. His father was a carriage
maker, and followed that occupation at Baltimore until his removal
to Fredericksburg, Va., in 1853, where he engaged in business until
his death, which occurred in 1863. Mr. Henri Baseler was princi¬
pally reared at Baltimore and Fredericksburg, Va., but was not
brought up to his father’s trade on account of being disabled for
manual labor by a severe illness which resulted in making him a
cripple for life. Furthermore, he early displayed a marked natural
talent for music, and the development and cultivation of this was
properly encouraged by his parents. He was given a good general
education, but special attention was paid to his musical culture. He
early became a fine pianist, one of the accomplished performers, in
fact, of Baltimore. He was also hardly less proficient on other in¬
struments, and soon became a teacher of music of well established
and wide reputation. Subsequently he followed music teaching for
nearly 20 years, principally piano music. He taught at Freder¬
icksburg, Va., and at other points in the Old Dominion, and later
along in West Virginia, North Carolina, and in Missouri. For five
years he was professor of music at Hillsboro College, North Carolina,
and for two years afterwards he held the chair of music in the Con¬
cord Female College of Statesville, that State. In 1867 Mr. Baseler
came West, to St. Louis, and there shortly received the appointment
of leader of music in the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church, under
the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Brookes, a position he held with emi¬
nent satisfaction to the church for a period of some three years.
After a residence in St. Louis of about six years, Prof. Baseler came
up to St. Charles, where, for a time, he was book-keeper for the
Singer sewing machine agency at this place. He engaged in his pres¬
ent business, that of dealing in and repairing sewing machines, in
1876. He also does something incidentally in his old business of
repairing musical instruments and carries a stock of gasoline stoves
in connection with his other business. Prof. Baseler is a natural

358

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

machinist as well as an accomplished musician, and is one of the most
skillful workmen in repairing the finer classes of machinery that can
be had in the county. Recently he has established a gallinarium at
St. Charles and thus far has had excellent success in raising poultry.
He hatches or incubates his chickens by artificial means, thus greatly
economizing the time and labor of his hens, as well as the expense in¬
cident to the old-fashioned system, something on the same principle
of raising a baby on the bottle. He uses an incubator of his own
invention and make. He has found the poultry industry quite profit¬
able and is making it a complete success. Prof. Baseler is a man of
culture and pleasant address and commands the consideration of all
who know him. In 1866 he was married to Miss Mary A. Woods,
a daughter of Capt. A. W. Woods, of Wheeling, W. Va., and a
granddaughter of the widow of the noted Maj. McCullough, the
great Indian fighter in the early history of that State. The Professor
and Mrs. B. have 10 children: Louisa, Nellie, Woods, Libbie,
Mary B., Anna, Berta, Harry, Lila, and Edgaretta.

VALENTINE BECKER

(Retired Business-man, St. Charles).

One of the old citizens of St. Charles county, Mr. Becker has proved
himself to be also one of its most enterprising and useful citizens.
Abundantly successful in business affairs, and now retired on a large
property, St. Charles county, and particularly the city of St. Charles,
have profited hardly less by his success than he has himself. In all
enterprises for the promotion of the best interests of the place and for
its growth and prosperity he has been among the foremost with his
means, his business ability and his energy. Indeed, for a quarter of a
century, and up to within a very recent period, or until his retirement
from active affairs, no enterprise would hardly have been thought well
on foot, unless he were at the head of it. A sketch of such a citizen
as this is therefore well worthy of the space it occupies in the present
work. Mr. Becker is a native of Darmstadt, Germany, and was born
June 16, 1816. His father, John Becker, was a successful merchant
and distiller. His mother’s maiden name was Christina Goettlich.
Up to the age of 15 young Becker spent most of his time at school.
But of an enterprising, adventurous mind, in 1832 he went to Paris,
France, where he obtained employment in a brewery, and afterwards
worked in that and neighboring cities for about nine years. He then
came to the United States in 1841, and for two years worked at the
brewery business at St. Louis. In 1844 Mr. Becker came to St.
Charles and has made this his home ever since that time. For about
five j^ears he was in partnership with Judge Gatzweiler, in merchan¬
dising, and then engaged in business alone. This he continued until
his retirement from active affairs some years ago. He built a fine
business house, where his son and son-in-law are now engaged in busi¬
ness, and also two other valuable business houses. He also built a
handsome residence property, one of the finest in the city, a large two-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

359

story brick, handsomely set off with a beautiful lawn , ornamented with
all kinds of shrubbery and relieved with large stately forest trees. From
time to time he built and still owns several other residence properties
in St. Charles. He also owns several valuable farms in the county,
near or adjacent to the city. Mr. Becker was one of the leading organ¬
izers of the First National Bank, and was one of the presidents of that
institution, a position he held until he resigned it after a service of 15
years. He also took an active part in organizing the St. Charles Mu¬
tual Fire Insurance Company, and was for a long time president of
that company. The St. Charles Car Works is another enterprise in
the organization of which he took a prominent part. He is still a
member of its board of directors. He is now president of the gas com¬
pany, in which he is a leading stockholder, and he contributed very
materially to its success. In short, every enterprise ofthe city has received
material help from his business experience, enterprise and liberality.
Mr. Becker was married in 1844. His wife was a Miss Adeline Denny ,
a daughter of Charles Denny, of St. Charles, but formerly of Germany.
They have three children: Ellen, now the wife of Charles Rechtern ;
Benjamin Franklin, who is in partnership with Mr. Rechtern in busi¬
ness, and Valentine U., who is in business in St. Louis. Mr. Becker,
though now 68 years of age, is quite active and well preserved, and
seems to have every hope for a long and pleasant Indian summer of
life.

A. HENRY BEYL

(Retail Dealer in Liquors, Cigars, Etc., St. Charles).

Mr. Beyl’s standing in St. Charles, notwithstanding the Picksniffian
prejudices of some against his business, illustrates very aptly and
forcibly the truth of the now trite distich of Pope, that —

“ Honor and shame from no condition rise ;

Act well your part, there all the honor lies.”

He is proprietor of the “ Bank Saloon,” one of the best saloons in
St. Charles, and he keeps on hand all standard brands of pure
whiskys, wines, beer and other beverages, and a full line of excellent
cigars, where the weary and gay and all may find inspiration and sol¬
ace and comfort in a social glass and a rich fragrant Havana cigar. He
also has a billiard hall and an excellent pool table, where those who
like an hour’s amusement may find it in a pleasant game at his quiet,
orderly and respectable house. He takes the position that there is no
reason why the saloon business may not be carried on with as much
decency and'high-tone respectability as any other class of business, if
the proprietor, himself, is a gentleman and determined to enforce gen¬
tlemanly conduct in his house. Mr. Beyl’s saloon is conducted as
orderly as any drug store, dry goods house or millinery shop in St.
Charles, and everything is kept neat and attractive. He has been in
the business a long time, and has never yet been called upon to account
for any breach of decorum or the public peace by the civil authorities.

360

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

A well educated, refined and civil-mannered gentleman himself, he
conducts everything after the order of his own style and character,
and is personally popular with all the better classes of St. Charles. A
gentleman is a gentleman wherever he may lie and in whatever lawful
business engaged, and his conduct forcibly illustrates this fact. Mr.
Beyl was born and reared in St. Charles, and a son of John Beyl and
wife, Mary (Baumer) Beyl. They were from Alsace, in France, but
now a part of Germany, and came to America in 1838. His father
followed merchandising and died in this county in 1860. Henry was
educated in the public and high schools and at the St. Charles College.
In 1864 he joined the army, becoming a member of Co. G, Forty-
ninth Missouri infantry, Union service, where he continued until he
was honorably discharged in December, 1865. He participated in the
battle of Spanish Fort and some less engagements. He was wounded
once, but by accident, though not seriously. After the war he fol¬
lowed bar-tending until he engaged in business for himself at St.
Charles. In the fall of 1874 he was married to Miss Ophelia, a
daughter of Nathaniel Jose, deceased. They have four children liv¬
ing : Henry, Laura, John and Frank A. One, Willie, is deceased.

FRANK BEZZENBERGER

(County Collector, St. Charles).

Mr. Bezzenberger is one of the youngest county collectors, if he is
not the youngest one, in the State, and it is no straining of the truth
to say that he is one of the most popular ones. He was elected over
an exceedingly strong man, and since he has been installed into office
he has so managed its affairs and so borne himself personally with the
people that he is far stronger now in popularity than he was when he
was elected. He was born and reared in this county, and has there¬
fore been known by the voters of the county from childhood. Well
known as his record and character are, both are such as to command
the respect and confidence of the public. He was born at St. Charles
October 25, 1854, but was principally reared at O’Fallon. Most of
his early youth was spent at school, but while still young he entered
the telegraph office at that place, which was under the charge of his
father, to learn telegraphy. He continued in the telegraph office for
about eight years, but not all the time at O’Fallon. For some time
he was in the St. Charles office and then in the office at Marti nsburofh.
While at O’Fallon he was also railroad and express agent. He became
well known on the road as one of the best agents and operators on the
entire line, and was very popular, both with officers and employes.
Possessed of the qualities of personal popularity he, of course, became
well acquainted over the county, and made a wide circle of friends and
acquaintances. In 1880 he was induced bv his friends to become a
candidate for collector, and although it was his first experience in
politics, he made a handsome and very creditable race, notwithstanding
he was pitted against Henry Kemper, then the county collector and
one of the most popular men in the county. The race he made was

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

361

so encouraging to his friends that they enthusiastically groomed him
for a second heat, which was made in 1882. This time he had a
regular thoroughbred to measure necks with, Charles Johann, an old
timer, who had run many a race in St. Charles county and had never
been beaten. But as the young “ flyers ” come up they are gradually
lowering the time of the old stages ; so young Bezzenberger beat the
time of his older match, Johann, by 31 points, or votes, and without
once breaking wind. Mr. Bezzenberger has made a very popular
collector, and will doubtless distance all the field for re-election, if
any prove misguided enough to run against him. October 17, 1877,
he was married to Miss Emma Krekel, a daughter of Nicholas Krekel,
Esq., of O’Fallon, and a niece of Judge Arnold Krekel, of the U. S.
district court. Mr. and Mrs. Bezzenberger have three children:
Laura, Bertha and Ida. Mr. B. has a good farm near O’Fallon, which
he now has rented out. Mr. Bezzenberger’ s parents are Joseph and
Catherine (Seigler) Bezzenberger, both of German ancestry, his
father from Moench Roth, Wurtemberg, and his mother from Penn¬
sylvania. His father was born June 24, 1824, and his parents were
Fred W. and Mary (Uhl) Bezzenberger. Joseph Bezzenberger came
to America in 1848, and after three years spent at New York located
in St. Charles county. For a time he followed farming on the river,
a short distance above St. Charles, after which he obtained a clerkship
in the store of Mr. Gatzweiler, with whom he remained two years.
After this he was in Mr. Hodapp’s store for about ten years. Two
years later, during which he was in business for himself, he became
railroad and express agent at O’ Fallon, and continued there for 20
years, or until he became deputy collector, in March, 1883, under his
son. He was married in 1850 to Miss Catherine Seigler, a daughter
of John Seigler, an early settler and respected citizen of this county,
but now deceased. It should be stated by way of correction that
after 1880 he was railroad agent at Richfield for about six months,
and then he clerked in a store at O’Fallon for about a year. He and
his good wife reared six children : Catherine, now Mrs. Peter Wild-
berger ; Frank, referred to above ; Luena, now Mrs. Antone F.
Mispagel ; William, of Martinsburgh ; Edward, telegraph operator at
St. Charles, and Josephine, still at home.

AUGUST F. BLESSE

(Retired Business-man, St. Charles).

Mr. Blesse, who has had a successful experience in the material
affairs in life and is now retired on a competence, with his means profit¬
ably invested, came to America in 1848, a young man practically
without a dollar. He is a native of Germany, born in the province
of West Velin, December 17, 1829. He was the second in the family
of six children of Frederick and Elizabeth Blesse, and was reared in
his native province up to his nineteenth year. Meanwhile, his brother
Carl had come to America in 1845, and was in a printing office at St.
Louis. Three years after August F. also came to this county and

362

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

located at St. Louis. There he engaged in steamboating which he
followed for some seven years. He then obtained a position in the
custom house where he continued until 1858, when he located at
Wentzville and established a liquor and cigar store. Mr. Blesse came
to St. Charles in 1861, moving his business from Wentzville to this
place. Three years later he established the Western House, which he
ran successfully for 18 years, or until 1881. He was quite successful
in the hotel business, and his house achieved a wide and enviable
reputation, not only for the excellence of the table set but for the clean¬
liness and comfort of its lodging accommodations, and for the general
air of home comfort which characterized its management. Mr. Blesse
is a prominent stockholder in the St. Charles Bank, and is a director
of that institution. For over 20 years he was actively engaged
in dealing in horses and mules, and he still does considerable business
in this line. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Blesse took the contract for
building a levee along the river from St. Charles towards St. Louis.
Mr. Blesse is a man of family. He was married in 1854, June 26, to
Miss Elizabeth Dieker, a daughter of Victor and Clara Dieker, for¬
merly of Germany. Mrs. B.’s father died at Wentzville, in 1865,
and her mother in 1866. Her father was a farmer by occupation.
Mr. and Mrs. Blesse have reared six children, who are living: Fred¬
erick V., now cashier at the bank at Eagle Pass, Texas; Laura E.,
wife of John A. Koelling ; William F. and George F., of Mexico,
Mo. ; and Henrv J. and Mattie, both of whom are at home. Two
besides are deceased. Mr. Blesse is a man of public spirit and liber¬
ality, and has giyen very generously to the church and other institu¬
tions and enterprises.

. GEORGE H. BLOEBAUM

(Dealer in Coal, Wood, Etc., St. Charles).

Wilhelm H. Bloebaum was a German by nativity and a cabinet
maker. Cincinnati became his first place of settlement in this coun¬
try. He located there from Germany in, 1840. Of course the peo¬
ple of all countries marry, those of one as well as of another. So
Mr. Bloebaum, who was a young man when he came to this country,
married some years afterwards. Miss Mary E. Scholle became his
wife. They lived in Cincinnati, he engaged in his trade and she
attending to her household duties, until 1859, when in obedience to
a general law of the human race they moved on westward. Mr. and
Mrs. Bloebaum settled at St. Charles. Subsequently they located
on a farm in this county, and here Mr. Bloebaum pursued the peace¬
ful occupation of a husbandman until the evening of life darkened
into the opaqueness of the grave. He died in 1865, respected by
all who knew him and mourned deepest by those who knew him best.
His good wife survived him until 1881, when she, too, passed over
to the other shore of the silent and endless river. They reared a
family of five children and in this family George H., the subject of
the present sketch, was the fourth. He was born at Cincinnati,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

363

October 25, 1853. As George H. grew up he secured a good public
school education, and before attaining his majority learned the paint¬
er’s trade, which he followed with good success until 1879. He then
engaged in farming, and was an energetic tiller of the soil for five
years. But in 1884 Mr. Bloebaum, Jr., came to St. Charles and
opened up his present business. People have to be kept warm
through the cold winter months, and he who contributes to this
humane service performs a good of no ordinary consideration for his
fellow creatures. So Mr. Bloebaum looks at it, and while he' is
engaged in a profitable business, he has the satisfaction of knowing
that he is at the same time engaged in a benign work of humanity.
He h as one of the best wood and coal yards in the city and is doing a
good business. Of course the man in whom the quality of human
kindness is so largely developed as it is in Mr. Bloebaum, would una¬
voidably marry. Accordingly, in 1880, he had the beatific felicity
to be united in happy marriage with Miss Mary Huelskemper, a
daughter of Henry Huelskemper, formerly of Germany. They have
two children, Amanda and Dora. Mr. Bloebaum is a member of the
Union Fire Company, No. 1.

JOHN HENRY BODE

(Editor and Proprietor of the St. Charles Demokrat).

Mr. Bode is a native of Germany, born in Hanover, January 25,
1844. At the age of eight years he was brought to America by his
parents, who immigrated to the United States in 1852. They disem¬
barked at New Orleans and thence came up the river to St. Louis,
where they made their home for a short time. In 1853, however, they
removed to St. Charles, and are still residing at this city. They had
a family of ID children, of whom four sons and a daughter are
living. John H. Bode was principally reared at St. Louis and re¬
ceived a good common-school education. He subsequently took a
course at commercial college, and when a youth learned the printing
business. Prior to 1865 he traveled quite extensively, working at his
trade in different cities, and then located at St. Charles permanently.
Here he was married to Miss Charlotte Rahmoeller. They have eight
children, two of them being deceased. In 1864 Mr. Bode took charge
of the St. Charles Demokrat , and has since been conducting it as
editor and proprietor. The Demokrat is a German weekly, Demo¬
cratic in politics, and the leading organ of German opinion outside of
St. Louis in the State. It has a large circulation, is on a good busi-
ness footing and is an established and valuable piece of newspaper
property. Mr. Bode is a cultured, vigorous writer, a man of honest,
earnest convictions and not afraid to express them ; and he has infused
into the Demokrat a vigor and vitality manifest to the most casual
observer. Mr. Bode is one of the public-spirited citizens of St.
Charles and is an active worker for the advancement of every enter¬
prise calculated to benefit the place. He is prominently connected
with several industrial enterprises and has already taken a position

364

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

among the substantial citizens of the place. In politics he is a Demo¬
crat, and in denominational preference, a Lutheran. He is a member
of the A. O. U. W. His family are noted for their longevity. Both
his grandparents on his father’s side died at advanced ages, and his
paternal uncles are still living at Osnabruck, Germany, one at the
age of 80 and the other past 70.

HENRY BORGMAN

(Manufacturer of Brick, St. Charles).

Mr. Borgman came to the United States in 1835, when he was a lad
only about 11 years of age. He was born in Prussia, September 6,
1824. His father was John A. Borgman, and his mother’s maiden
name was Catharine Schaberg. There were eight children in the fam¬
ily, of whom Henry was the youngest. After residing in St. Charles
county for about live years with his sister, Mrs. Gausman, young
Borgman, when 16 years of age, went to St. Louis, where he obtained
employment at a brick-yard as brick-bearer, and learned the brick¬
making business. He remained there until 1850, and in the meantime
was married to Miss Marie Stahlhuth, a daughter of Ernest Stahlhuth,
formerly of Hanover. In 1850, after his marriage, Mr. Borgman
came to St. Charles and engaged in the brick business. He is still
engaged in the same business at this place, and has made it a complete
success. He runs three kilns with a capacity of 300,000 brick,
and at. times has worked as high as six corps of men, making nearly
1,000,000 brick. Mr. Borgman has served as city councilman, but
has never sought or desired any position of political preferment. Mr.
and Mrs. Borgman have four children : Sophia, the wife of J. G.
Gundlach, a physician, of Ottawa, Ill. ; Helen, the wife of Prof. D.
Y. Bagby, now of Texas ; Edward, now of St. Louis, whose wife was
a Miss Fannie Roberts, formerly of Quincy, Ill. ; and Samuel, who is
still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Borgman are members of the M. E.
Church.

HENRY BROEKER

(House, Sign aud Ornamental Painter, St. Charles).

Mr. Broeker is a native of Germany, born in Westphalia, Prussia,
in 1849. He was the second in a family of five children of Henry
and Elizabeth (Reckhaus) Broeker, his father a farmer by occupation.
The father died in 1856, and the mother in 1872. Henry was reared
in Westphalia, and attended school until he was about 14 years of age,
when he commenced the painter’s trade. He learned that trade and
worked at it in his native country until 1869, when he came to America
and located at St. Louis. Shortly afterwards he came on up to St.
Charles, and has ever since followed his trade at this place. Mr.
Broeker understands his trade thoroughlv and receives a liberal
patronage. In 1872 he was married to Miss Mary Miller, a daughter
of Joseph Miller, a carpenter by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Broeker have

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

365

six children: Lizzie, Henry, Allie, Frank, Eugene and Ella. He and
wife are members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Broeker is a mem¬
ber of the I. O. O. F., and of the A. F. and A. M.

LOUIS BRUCKER

(Of Louis Brucker & Bro., Dealers in Furniture and Variety Goods, St. Charles).

Mr. Brucker started out in life for himself when a young man with¬
out means and to make his own way in the world, independent of- all
manner of help. As the good, old-fashioned Pedo-Baptist preacher
used to say, “ he has fought the fight and won the race ; ” and is now
one of the substantial business men and responsible, well respected
citizens of the community where he lives. He and his brother have
a large double store filled with a heavy stock of furniture, queen’s-ware,
glassware and an innumerable variety of other goods and are doing an
extensive and lucrative business. They are cash men in every sense
of the word, both as purchasers and sellers and are therefore always
on the safe side of the market, so that there is no chance to break,
while they have every advantage to make money. Mr. Brucker was
born in St. Louis, February 26, 1847. His father, Joseph A. Brucker,
was from Baden, Germany, and came over to this country when a
young man. He married in St. Louis Miss Mary Anna Schwarz, of
which union the subject of this sketch was born. At the age of 15,
Louis began to learn the trunk-maker’s trade which he acquired. He
had fair school advantages and besides the ordinary and night schools,
attended St. Mary’s school one year. When 18 years of age
he went to Montana and spent three years out there engaged in clerk¬
ing and teaming. He then returned to St. Louis and worked at his
trade until 1874, or for about six years. Early the next year he came
to St. Charles and started a second-hand furniture store April 14,
1875, and two years later put in a stock of new goods. The busi¬
ness has since developed into its present respectable proportions.
May 7, 1874, he was married to Miss Josephine Hodapp, a daughter
of Wendelin Hodapp, deceased. Mrs. B. was born and reared in
St. Charles. They have one child, Joseph W. Louis, their oldest
child, died at the age of four years. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members
of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Brucker is a member of the St.
Charles Benevolent Society, of the Catholic Knights of America, and
of the St. Charles Borromeo Sodality.

JOHN B. BRUCKER

(Of Louis Brucker & Bro., Dealers in Furniture and Variety Goods, St. Charles).

The successful business experience of the above named firm has
already been spoken of in the sketch of Mr. B.’s brother, Louis
Brucker. Suffice it, therefore, in this connection to give a sketch of
the life and career merely of the gentleman whose name stands at the
head of this short biography, one of the members of the above named
firm. Mr. Brucker is a self-made man and has acquired all he has by

366

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

his own energy and good business judgment. He was born in St.
Louis, April 7, 1843, and received a good, ordinary English educa¬
tion. Three years of his boyhood were spent in a store in St. Louis,
and he then came to St. Charles county, remaining at Foristell prin¬
cipally. In 1864 he went with some teams to Montana, where he
teamed for about two years, and for two years was engaged in mining.
Returning in 1868 he engaged in merchandising in the grocery and
variety store lines, which he continued until 1874, when he was in the
saloon business for about a year. As already stated, he and his
brother began their present business here in 1875 and have had good
success. April 11, 1877, Mr. Brucker was married to Miss Gaugh, a
daughter of John C. Gaugh, of St. Charles. They have two children :
Mary J. and Adelia T. They have lost one, Clotilda, who died at the
age of 15 months. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Catholic
Church, and he is also a member of the Catholic Knights of America.

HON. THEODORE BRUERE

(Attoraey-at-Law and President of the St. Charles Savings Bank, St. Charles).

Among: the large number of citizens of Missouri of foreign birth
who, by their own exertions and deserts, have risen to positions of
enviable prominence in affairs may, with entire truth and justice, be
classed the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Bruere came to this
country when a young man, about 19 years of age, practically penni¬
less and a stranger. Indeed, he had but half a Prussian dollar when
he first touched American soil at New York in 1850. But as the
sequel has shown he possessed the qualities which enable one to make
a successful career. Coming of an excellent family in Prussia, he was
a young man of sterling integrity of character, bright and active intel¬
ligence, and had improved his advantages well as he grew7 up by secur¬
ing an advanced and thorough education. His father Jean Bruere, of
French-Huguenot descent, wTas a successful and prominent architect
and builder of Cologne, and a man of culture and enviable social
standing. Mr. Bruere’s mother, w7hose maiden name was Wilhelmine
Taeger, wras a lady of refinement and many estimable qualities of head
and heart. But while Theodore wras yet a youth his father was taken
away by death, leaving a family of eight children and their mother, so
that young Bruere, the subject of this sketch, was to a certain extent
thrown on his own resources. At the age of 19 he came to
America, and after landing at New7 York obtained employment for a
short time as civil engineer. The following fall, however, he came
West to St. Louis, but finding no employment proceeded on up the
river to Warren county. There he was employed for a short time as
night watchman in a mill, but soon afterwards went to wTork at farm
labor. It was not long, how7ever, until his character and qualifica¬
tions became known to those around him, and in the spring of 1852
he wras employed by Judge Waller to take charge of a class, con¬
sisting of the Judge’s children and some others, in Latin and the higher
branches. About this time he formed the acquaintance of Judge

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

367

Krekel, who was then conducting the St. Charles Democrat , and upon
whom he made a very favorable impression. The result was that he
was offered a situation as editorial writer on the Democrat , which he
accepted, and in order to do that he resigned the charge of his class
given him by Judge Waller. While writing for the Democrat he
also studied law under Judge Krekel, and in 1854 entered the law
department of Cincinnati College, where he took a regular course and
graduated in the class of ’55 with distinguished honor. In his class
were such’ men as Gen. Ewing of Ohio, Hon. W. H. Corwin, Gov.
Alfred C. Jenkins and others, then young men, among the brightest
in the country. But even among these young Bruere graduated among
the first in his class. After his graduation he returned to Missouri
and was examined for admission to the bar by Judge John F.
Ryland of the Supreme [court, who subjected him to a thorough
examination, and at its close complimented him very highly.
Immediately following his admission to the bar Mr. Bruere entered
actively upon the practice of his profession at St. Charles, in the
courts of neighboring counties and in the Supreme court. Shortly
afterwards he was elected surveyor of St. Charles county, an office he
held for four years. He also held the office of city engineer for
three years. In 1863 he was appointed city attorney of St. Charles,
and the duties of that position he discharged for a period of seven
years, consecutively. Three years after his appointment to the office
of city attorney he was elected to the State Senate. In the Senate
Mr. Bruere soon took a leading position, as an able and upright legis¬
lator, a sound lawyer and a forcible, eloquent, effective speaker.
During the last two years of his term in the Senate he was chairman
of the judiciary committee and was the recognized leader of his party
in that body. He also held important positions on the committees on
education, State University, Deaf and Dumb Asylum, etc. In 1868
he was elected a member of the Electoral College from this State on
the Republican ticket, and cast his vote with the other Missouri
electors for Gen. Grant. Since then he has been a prominent mem¬
ber of a number of conventions of the Republican party. He was the
Secretary of the State convention of 1872 and a delegate of his Con¬
gressional district to the national conventions at Philadelphia in 1872,
at Cincinnati in 1876, and at Chicago in 1884. Since the organiza¬
tion of the Republican party in Missouri he has been identified with
that party. Prior to that, as was the case with most German-
Americans in Missouri, including his old-time friend Judge Arnold
Krekel, now of the United States District court, he voted and acted
with the Democratic party. His first vote was cast in 1856 for James

Buchanan. Mr. Bruere has alwavs taken an active interest in the

cause of education, and has been one of its warmest and most useful
friends in this county. Himself a man of thorough education and
superior mental culture, he fully appreciates the advantage and im¬
portance of learning, and believes that the means of obtaining knowl¬
edge should be placed in the reach of every youth in the land. For
the last 21 years he has been a member of and the secretary of the

368

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

St. Charles school board. He has made numerous trips to Europe,
with an eve both to meeting old friends and to the enlargement of his
general stock of information. He has traveled extensively in Europe
and has been a close observer and student of affairs on the other side
of the Atlantic. In his conversation and personal bearing he shows
that polish and the ease and dignity of presence which almost invari¬
ably characterize the man of culture and thorough acquaintance with
the world. Mr. Bruere has been actively engaged in the practice of
law throughout the whole of his career from his first admission to
the bar. In his profession he has been very successful, and has not
only acquired a good property but has won an enviable reputation as
an able and honorable lawyer. A man of more strength of mind than
brilliancy, he depends not so much on display or flashy expedients for
success in his practice as upon the sober, common sense soundness of
the position he takes in a given case, as viewed from the standpoint
of the law and the facts involved. He is what is commonly termed
a hard worker in his profession, and being thoroughly honest with
himself, as with all, he first satisfies himself that he is right in a cause
and then leaves nothing undone which might be properly done to
bring his case to a successful issue. A man of sober, sound judg¬
ment and a close student of the law, he has long since won the name
of being one of the safest, best counsellors at the bar in this circuit.
As a speaker, he is clear, polished and forcible ; pleasant and enter¬
taining to hear and logical and convincing in his arguments. Mr.
Bruere was one of the organizers of the St. Charles Savings Bank in
1867, and has been its president ever since that time. While on a
visit to Europe in 1857 he was married to Miss Minna Taeger, near
the University of Heidelberg, in Southern Germany. Mr. Bruere is
a man of fine social qualities, and is highly esteemed as a member of
the best society at- St. Charles and wherever he is known.

CAPT. LORENZO COTTLE

(Retired Farmer, St. Charles').

Capt. Cottle is one of the oldest living native born residents of the
county, and is well known as one of the most highly respected citi¬
zens. He has served his country in two wars, but has rendered it
even more valuable service as an industrious farmer and law-abiding,
useful citizen. In the years of his activity he accumulated considera¬
ble property and was the founder of the town of Cottleville, in this
county. He still has a modest competence, and in the Indian summer
of life is comfortably situated at his home in St. Charles. What
is perhaps better still, a life of sobriety and good habits have pre¬
served to him in old age much physical vigor and his mental activity
unimpaired — these, notwithstanding the hardships he endured in the
pioneer days of the country and the exposures he underwent as a sol¬
dier of the republic in the swamps and everglades of Florida and in the
malarial and then uninhabited regions of the Upper Arkansas, the Red
river and the extreme South-west. Capt. Cottle was born in St. Charles

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

369

county, near the present site of Cottleville, September 13, 1811. He
was a sou of Warren Cottle and wife, nee Salome Cottle, who were
cousins and pioneer settlers in St. Charles county. They came here
as early as 1800 and were from Vermont. The father was a physician
by profession and a man of collegiate education. The mother was
likewise a lady of culture and refinement. Dr. Cottle’s father was
Warren Cottle, Sr., and his mother’s maiden name was Relief Farms-
worth. The parents of the Doctor’s wife were John and Elizabeth
( Allen) Cottle. Dr. Cottle obtained land in this county under a Span¬
ish “ grant ” and opened a farm ; he also erected a mill, one of the
first ever built in the county, and followed the practice of his profes¬
sion. The latter was not profitable, however, in those early days, for
the people had little or no money to pay a physician and ’coon skins
were a “drug” on the market; he nevertheless became a man of
comfortable means, for those times, and reared his family in comfort
and with the limited advantages for mental improvement the country
afforded. In religious sentiment he was a Universalist, and in poli¬
tics an earnest, consistent Whig ; he was a man of temperate habits,
sterling intelligence and a kind, generous heart, and was greatly
esteemed by all who knew him ; he died near what is now Cottleville,
in June, 1821 ; his good wife died on the same family homestead in
1845, having spent 24 years after her husba'nd’s death in widowhood.
They had eight children, and some of them were still young at the
time of their father’s death, so that the responsibility of caring for
them and bringing them up devolved largely upon the mother. Of
this she acquitted herself with singular fidelity and devotion, and her
memory is cherished as that of one of the best of mothers. The chil¬
dren are Alonzo, Olive, Fidelo, Alvard, Lorenzo, Pauline, Ora and
Othello. Olive died in early maidenhood ; Pauline is the wife of Henry
Bates, of Sonoma, Cal., and Ora resides at Wellsville, Mo. The
others are deceased, except the subject of this sketch, but lived to
reach years of maturity and become the heads of families. Lorenzo
Cottle, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father’s
farm near Cottleville, and received ouly a primary education, includ¬
ing reading, writing, arithmetic, etc., in the neighborhood schools of
the period. He inherited 200 acres of land from his father’s estate,
on which he early began the improvement of a farm. At the age of
20, early in 1831, he enlisted under Capt. Nathan Boone in a com¬
pany of mounted rangers for the Black Hawk War, and served for
12 months. A sketch of the service of this company is given in
Chapter VI., on a former page, the principal facts for which were
furnished by Capt. Cottle himself, one of the few survivors of the
company. We shall therefore not take space here to recount the events
of that campaign. After the expiration of his term of service, the Black
Hawk War having closed sometime before, Capt. Cottle returned home
and was occupied with farming until the call of Gov. Boggs for volun¬
teers for the Florida War. That was in 1837, and in the fall of that
year he enlisted in Capt. Jackson’s company of mounted militia.
The campaign of the Missouri volunteers is also given in the chapter

370

HISTORY- OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

above referred to, as recounted by Capt. Cottle. It should be noted
here, however, that many interesting incidents and thrilling adven¬
tures related by him, which are entirely worthy of publication, were
necessarily omitted for want of space in which to give them. After
the Missourians closed the Florida War by the brilliant victory of
Lake Okeechobee they returned to St. Louis and were honorably
mustered out of service. Capt. Cottle then came on home and
bought a country store and engaged in merchandising. In 1839 he
laid out the town of Cottleville on his land, including the site of that
place, and sold and gave away a number of valuable lots. The place
had a substantial growth and he did a good business at Cottleville
or some years and until he retired from merchandising, by selling
out, in order to resume farming. He then located on a farm which
he bought in Lincoln county, but two years later traded that for a
place in this county and moved back to old St. Charles, the county
of his birth, in 1847. Meanwhile, on the 5th of February, 1840, he
was married to Miss Violeta Killiam, a daughter of Elizabeth Killiam,
nee McClay, of St. Charles, Mo. She survived 13 years, dying Jan¬
uary 5, 1853. His second wife was a Miss Sarah Green, daughter of
James Green and Rachel Green, nee Yarnell, to whom he was mar¬
ried December 15, 1853. She died May 12, 1862. To his present
wife he was married November 30, 1865. After returning to this
county from Lincoln county, Mr. Cottle continued farming until
1876, when he bought property in St. Charles and located where he
now resides. After coming here he carried on a broom factory for
some six years, but in 1883 retired from all regular business, and
since then has occupied himself with attending his garden and in other
light employments about his home. His retirement from active work
was made necessary by a stroke of paralysis, which occurred in 1883.
This was the severest ohvsical affliction he had received since the bat-

i t/

tie of Okeechobee, and although not quite so critical as the wound he
received there, it has proved far more serious in its results. From
that he shortly recovered, but from this he has little hope of a thor¬
ough recovery. His wound was received in the final charge ou the

O %j o

Seminoles, when he was shot in the neck, the ball ranging down and
breaking his collar bone. It first struck the bow of his necktie, or,
rather, his “stock,5’ as it was then called, and but for that would
unquestionably have proved fatal. As it was, it was quite a painful
and serious wound. Capt. Cottle, although not engaged himself in ac¬
tive farming, has two excellent farms in the county, which are occupied
by tenants. His homestead in St. Charles consists of 10 town lots, on
which he has a good residence building, a good barn, a neat garden
and other convenient and comfortable improvements. In political
affiliations he is a conservative Democrat and in religious convic¬
tion a Universalist. After his return from the Florida War, he served
as captain of militia under the old muster law. Indeed, while in
Florida he was practically captain of his company, for he had seen
service in the Black Hawk War, was well posted in military tactics, a
good drill master and was relied upon by the captain of the company.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

371

who had had no experience in military life, to lead the men in every
emergency. Capt. Cottle is a man who has always been an intelligent and
discriminating reader. He takes several newspapers, reads an excellent
class of literature, such as historical and religious works, and is a man
of intelligence and good information. Now, in his retirement, his time
is spent with his books and newspapers and in his garden and orchard.
His wife is a companionable, good woman, and their married life is
one of singular serenity and happiness. She was a Miss Sarah M.
Barricklom, of this county, but had been married to Jerome Coonan,
who died in 1857. His first wife was a native of Vermont, but came
to Missouri with her parents at an early day. His second wife was
born and reared in this county. Capt. Cottle’s present wife is a native
of Indiana, born in Dearborn county, on the 10th of November, 1830.
Her father removed to St. Charles county with his family in 1839 and
bought the Flanders Callaway farm, where she was reared. Mrs. Cot¬
tle was the eldest of four children, all daughters, and her father died
when they were still quite young. Their opportunities for an education
were, of course, very limited. She, however, and her sisters succeeded
in securing a good common English education. She is a lady of fine
intelligence and, considering her opportunities in early life, a woman
of more than ordinary information and mental culture. In 1840 she
was married to Mr. Coonan. He survived, however, only eight years,
and in 1865 she was married to her present husband. Her mother is
still living at the age of 85, having been born in Washington county,
Pa., in 1799. Her father’s parents first removed to Bourbon county,
Ky., and thence, in 1829, to Dearborn county, Ind. There she was
married to Charles J. Barricklom, who became the mother of Mrs. Cot¬
tle. Her father was originally from New Jersey, born in January,
1779, and a son of Conrad Barricklom, who removed to Pennsylvania
in an early day. Mrs. Cottle’s father was of German descent, but her
mother was of English ancestry. Mr. Cottle has four children living
by his first wife.

HENRY C. DALLMEYER

(Dealer in Furniture and Undertaker, St. Charles).

Mr. Dallmeyer, one of the leading business men at St. Charles in
his line, was born and reared in this county, and a son of Henry and
Gertrude Dallmeyer, who came from Germany in 1846. Henry C.
was born September 18, 1856, and was reared and educated at this
place. In 1872 he began to learn the cabinet maker’s trade, and has
since continued to work at it. In 1877 he opened a furniture store
for himself at St. Charles on Second and Franklin Streets, where he
still continues the business. Two years after opening his furniture
store he established an undertaking business in connection with
it. In order to obtain a knowledge of this business he attended the
Cincinnati school for embalming dead bodies, where he thoroughly
qualified himself for the duties of funeral undertaking. He now car¬
ries a full line of burial cases, coffins, caskets, etc., etc., and is pre-

372

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

pared to conduct funerals with entire satisfaction on the shortest
notice. In 1881 Mr. Dallmeyer was married to Miss Josephine Mein-
sohn, a daughter of John B. and Gertrude (Schulte) Meinsohn, for¬
merly of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. D. have two children, Joseph and
Sophia. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

CAPT. HENRY B. DENKER

(Grocer, Pork Packer and Vice-President of the St. Charles Car Works).

Not without justice Capt. Denker is conceded to hold an enviable
position among the prominent, self-made business men of St. Charles.
With but limited means to commence with when a young man, and
with no influence to help him along except his own good name and
upright conduct, with these and by untiring industry and intelligent,
energetic management, he has steadily come up until he now occupies
a place of marked consideration in the business affairs of the com¬
munity and as a citizen. Like many of the better people of St.
Charles county, he is a native of Hanover, born January 30, 1839.
At the age of 20 he emigrated to America, and came directly to St.
Charles county. The following year he located at the city of St.
Charles, where he obtained a clerkship in a store. He was here less
than a year when the war broke out, and he at once enlisted in the
Union service, becoming a member of Co. A, St. Charles Countv
Home Guard. He first served as second lieutenant. Subsequently
he was elected first lieutenant, in which capacity he served until the
close of his term. Enlisting again in the service, he was now elected
captain of Co. E, Twenty-second Missouri infantry, continuing in the
command of that company until after the 'close of the war. Mean¬
while, however, he had become interested in merchandising as a part¬
ner in business in St. Charles, and he has ever since continued to
carry on business at this place. He has been in the grocery business
for many years, and has long been sole proprietor of one of the
leading grocery houses, if not the leading one of St. Charles. He
carries an unusually large stock of groceries, queen’s-ware, glassware,
wooden ware, etc., etc., and has an annual trade of from $35,000 to
$50,000. Capt. Denker is a man of energy and enterprise, not to be
satisfied with what the average of men would take to be enough work
for one man. He is interested in different business enterprises,
including pork-packing on quite an extensive scale. He packs from
3,000 to 5,000 hogs a year. He was also largely instrumental in the
establishment of the car works at this place and he subscribed liber¬
ally to the stock of the company. He was elected vice-president of
the company and has held that position in its management ever since.
Capt. Denker has never been troubled with political aspirations, but
has, nevertheless, been frequently called into service of the county
in an official capacity. One of the substantial citizens of the county,
and a man in whom the people have unquestioned confidence, both
in point of integrity and business qualifications, he was three times
elected to the office of county treasurer. He is a prominent stock-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY. 373

holder in the Union Savings Bank, and is vice-president of that insti¬
tution. In the fall of 1864 he was married to Miss Mary Myer, a
daughter of Ludwig Myer, deceased, late of the county, but formerly
of Hanover. Mrs. D. was educated at the Convent of the Sacred
Heart, and is a lady of superior intelligence. Mr. and Mrs. D. have
five children: Henry L Anna, Tillie, Annette and Edwin. Mr.
and Mrs. Denker are members of the German Catholic Church.

DR. JAMES WADDY DAVIS

(Editor of the Cosmos, St. Charles).

Like, perhaps, a majority of the members of American families in
St. Charles county, the subject of this sketch is a native of Virginia.
He was born in the city of Richmond, August 28, 1843. His parents’
families on each side had long been settled in the Old Dominion. His
father was Hardin Davis, and his grandfather James Davis, both born
and reared in that State. His mother was a Miss Mary Emily Thomp¬
son, a daughter of John Thompson, of Cumberland county. Dr.
Davis’ father was a contractor and builder, and died in Virginia in
1850, his first wife having preceded her husband to the grave about
a year. Of their two children, the Doctor, who was the elder, is the
only one living.

He was reared in Richmond, and was pursuing a collegiate course
at the Baptist College there when the Civil War broke out. In 1861-62
he was a student at Randolph and Macon College, then located in Meck¬
lenburg county, Va. In the winter of 1862 he became a student of the
Medical College of Virginia at Richmond, and upon his graduation in the
spring of 1864, was appointed resident physician of the college hospi¬
tal. In August of the same year, he passed a successful examination
before the Army Medical Board, and was appointed assistant surgeon
in the Confederate army. After a service of a few months in hospi¬
tals, he was assigned to the Forty-sixth Virginia infantry in Lee’s army
and remained there until the close of the war.

In the summer of 1865 he located in Hanover county, and followed
the practice of his profession there until the spring of 1874, when he
came west and located at New Melle, in St. Charles county, where
he was engaged in the active practice of medicine until 1877, when he
accepted the position of editor of the Cosmos , with which paper he
has since been connected in that position. He has proven himself to
be not only a good writer, but of excellent judgment in directing the
editorial policy of the paper. One may be a ready, versatile and
pointed writer, yet from lack of good judgment, wholly unfit for the
management of the editorial department of a paper, where a single in¬
judicious article, however well written, will do more to destroy its
prestige than a year of hard sensible work can overcome. Dr. Davis
had the good sense to see and appreciate this at the beginning, and he
has always been careful to preserve a dignity and self-respect in all
that he has written, as well as in the general editorial management of
the paper, allowing nothing ridiculously extreme or fanatical to ap-

374

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

pear in its columns, and aiming always to give it a good moral tone.
He has been careful to give no worthy man just cause of complaint for
anything published of a personal nature, his view of the province of
the editor being that there is enough to write about without entering
into personalities, of an abusive, scurrilous or insulting character ;
enough to do the work for the material and general progress of the
community, which his paper endeavors to serve, and for purity and
impartiality in public affairs. Under this policy the Cosmos has
become well established as one of the representative country journals
of the State. Dr. Davis is a man of good education, gentlemanly in¬
stincts, and a ready and versatile writer, eminently fitted for the po¬
sition he occupies in the editorial control of the Cosmos.

On the 19th of July, 1865, he was married in Washington, D. C.,
to Miss Anna E. Apperson, a daughter of James L. and Mary (Burke)
Apperson, of Richmond, Ya. They have four children: Lawrence
S., Mary E., Hardin M. and Virginia A. Two of their children,
James W. and Bessie, died in infancy. Dr. Davis is a member of
Ivanhoe Lodge No. 1812, Knights of Honor.

ALBERT DEEMAR

(Warden of the County Asylum, St. Charles).

Mr. Deemar was born in the province of Nassau, February 14, 1832,
and was a son of Philip and Catharine (Fischer) Deemar, of the same
province. He was reared there, and after he grew up learned the
tavern business, or keeping hotel and bar. In 1850 he came to the
United States and located in Bloomington, Ill. About 18 months
later he came to St. Charles county, and was engaged in keeping
hotel and bar at different points in this county almost continuously
up to the time of taking charge of the asylum in 1878. He was for
14 years justice of the peace, and was also,. for a time, notary
public. He has had charge of the asylum ever since his appointment
six years ago, and has done much to improve the condition of the
institution. He is a kind-hearted man, a srood manager and indus-
trious, and is evidently the right man in the right place where he now
is. May 20, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary A. Trendley, a
daughter of Joseph Trendley, deceased, who located at St. Peters.
They have three sons: Henry V., George A. and Herbert H. He
and wife are members of the Catholic Church. He is a member of
the Catholic Knights of America.

CAPT. JOHN F. DIERKER

(Liveryman and Undertaker, St. Charles).

When the war broke out in 1861, Capt. Dierker was engaged in
merchandising at Wentzville. He had started out for himself with-
out anything, and had worked hard and economized closely to get a
start. He had been in business for some years before, and had
started in the first place in Callaway township in a small way. By

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

375

close attention to business and good management he had steadily
progressed on the career of success until finally, removing to Wentz-
ville, he established a good store and had a large and increasing trade,
but, patiently and faithfully as he had worked to establish himself in
business life, when Ft. Sumpter was fired upon his loyalty and pa¬
triotism overshadowed every consideration of self-interest, and he
unhesitatingly threw himself into the conflict for the preservation of
the Union. He turned his key on his store and left it to care for
itself and went to work at once recruiting for the service of ' the
Government, whose benign laws and institutions he knew so well how
to appreciate, and which should be dearer than life to every patriotic
man. He organized the company of independents of which he was
elected captain, and after the expiration of that term of service he
became captain of Co. I, of the Eighth Missouri infantry. When his
second term expired he again entered the army, as did his whole
company, which became a part of the Forty-ninth Missouri. Capt.
Dierker led his company with courage and ability until the close of
the war, and saw much hard and dangerous service in Missouri and in
the far-off sun-scorched land of cinnamon seed and sandy bottom. He
was in numerous engagements in this State, and had the pleasure of
swinging around the circle after Price, on the latter’s last raid. He
was also in the battles of Montgomery, Ala., and Augusta, Ga.
After the war he returned home and found that although the “ Rebs.”
had not gotten away with the Union, they had pretty effectually
cleaned out his stock of goods, and that he had to begin again at the
bottom of the ladder, so to speak. While in the army he wras fre¬
quently offered promotion, but having promised his men that he would
stay with them as their captain when they enlisted, he faithfully kept
his word and uniformally declined all proffered advancement in the
command. After his return he started a hotel, which he kept for
about two years, and then engaged in the livery business, which he
has ever since followed. He has been very successful. He has a large
and handsome livery building, well supplied with good horses, vehicles
of all kinds, etc. He also has three busses that he runs in connection
with his stable from the depot on the arrival of each of the six daily trains.
In the undertaker’s line he has two fine hearses, so handsome and
pleasant to ride in that one almost longs for the “ sweet by and by ”
in order to enjoy the luxury for the final sepulchral tour which all
must sooner or later take. His purchases were brought from Cincin¬
nati, and cost him over $2,000. Certainly when one can ride in such a
conveyance as these for the small sum of $10, no one need to be carted
off in a lumber wagon on his last earthly ride. Capt. Dierker has
held the office of city councilman for several terms, and was elected
to the place as long as he would accept it. In 1870 he was elected
sheriff and collector, and two years later was re-elected to the same
office. His majority was highly complimentary to his personal popu¬
larity and standing as a citizen. He received 672 votes more than
his opponent at the first election and 784 more at his second election.
Capt. Dierker is Hanoverian by nativity, born December 23, 1826,

376

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

and came to this country with his parents at the age of 14, m
1840. His father, Valentine D. Dierker, died in this county in 1859,
and his mother, whose maiden name was Clare E. Koenig, died here
in 1865, within two days of the same age of her husband. In 1850
Capt. Dierker was married to Miss Caroline A. Auping, a daughter
of Casper H. Auping, formerly of Hannibal. They have nine chil¬
dren : Lizzie A., wife of Henry Koenig ; Louisa William Koenig;
Victor D., a partner with his father ; Henrietta, a young lady who is
still at home; Ernst, Henry, Frank H., Matah and Ada A. Two
others died at tender ages. Mrs. D. is a member of the St. Paul
Protestant Church.

ANTOINE A. DORLAQUE

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, Post-office, St. Charles).

Mr. Dorlaque is a descendant of one of the early families in the

settlement of what was formerly the Upper Louisiana country. The

family, as its name indicates, is of French origin, and came here among

the early French settlers of the country, and before ever the British

or American flair was unfurled to the wind over the Missouri river

country. His father was Francois X. Dorlaque, who was born and

reared in this county, and was a son of Auguste Dorlaque, who came

here from St. Genevieve, St. Genevieve county. Mr. Dorlaque’s

mother was a Miss Emilie Tabeau before her marriage, a daughter of

Antoine and Devena (Janease) Tabeau, early French settlers of St.

Charles county. Mr. Dorlaque’s father was a farmer by occupation

and resided here until his death. He died June 16, 1874. The

mother died August 16, of the same year. Antoine A. was the second

in their family of 11 children, only fiv$ of whom are living and

none of whom, except the subject of this sketch and one sister, the

wife of Charles Hug, reside in this county. His father was in well-

to-do circumstances and Antoine had good school advantages. He

was educated at Lucas Grove school and at the St. Charles College.

• * * • ^

After quitting college he engaged in farming, and in a short time in

buying and shipping live stock. He has been in these lines of business

ever since and has been very successful. He is one of the leading

stock men of the county, as well as one of its substantial property-

holders. His home farm is a neat, comfortable homestead, and he

also has a place of over 300 acres on an island, in the Mississippi river,

opposite the St. Charles county shore. Mr. Dorlaque was married to

Mi ss Edna Ford, a daughter of Gartrell and Susan (Manfield) Ford,

formerly of Caldwell county, Ky., on the 26th of June, 1867.

They have 10 children; Francois X., Edward, who died in boyhood ;

Emilie, Julius F., Mary A., Gartrell, Edna, Ellie., Sophie, Antonette.

Mr. and Mrs. D. and familv are members of the Catholic Church.

HON. ALBERT H. EDWARDS

(Attorney at Law and State Senator, St. Charles).

State Senator Edwards, though reared in St. Charles county, is a
native of the Old Dominion, and came of an honored Revolutionary

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

377

family. His grandfather, Ambrose Edwards, served with credit in
the War for Independence under Washington, but the family had
settled in Virginia long prior to that time. The founder of the
family came to this country in the early days of the Colonies, and
was from Wales.

State Senator Edwards’ father was Henry Edwards, born and
reared in Virginia, and who came to St. Charles county after his mar¬
riage, during the latter part of the “thirties.” His wife’s maiden
name was Sarah Dabney Waller, reared in Hanover county, Va.,- and
of the old and well known Virginia family of that name. The
Wallers came to Virginia from London, England, in an early day.
Her mother was a Miss Dabney, and was of French Huguenot
descent.

Hon. A. H. Edwards was born in Henry county, Va., September
13, 1836, and was therefore yet in infancy when the family removed
to St. Charles county, Mo. His father died here in 1844, and he,
with the other children of the family, was reared by his widowed
mother. She never re-married and died in January, 1884, in her
eighty-sixth year. Young Edwards’ youth was well occupied, either
at school or in some useful employment. His education was received
at the St. Charles College and at Central College, in Fayette, Howard
county. He also spent a short time at a German school in War¬
ren county.

After concluding his college studies, Mr. Edwards, who had already
decided to devote himself to the profession of the law, began a regu¬
lar course of legal studies under his elder brother, Hon. W. W.
Edwards, now Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. In 1863 he
was admitted to the bar, and thereupon entered upon the regular
practice of his profession at St. Charles. Gifted with a quick, acute
legal mind, an assiduous student and a young man of steady, indus¬
trious habits, he soon so recommended himself to the community, as
a lawyer, that he succeeded in accumulating a substantial practice.
From the beginning he has been highly successful at the bar in the
conduct of cases intrusted to his management, and he has always so
carried himself as an attorney and in private life, that he has deserved
and retained the respect and confidence of all classes. His theory of
the practice of law is that it should be carried on on the same high
plan of personal integrity and fair dealing required in other callings,
and that a lawyer, as such, should be as far from taking a questiona¬
ble legal advantage, as a business man should of high standing and
jealous of his credit, to defeat the payment of a just claim. In other
words, he does not believe in what is commonly called “ sharp prac¬
tice ” at the bar, and thinks that success won in that manner is less to
one’s credit than not to succeed at all ; but that there is ample room
in the profession for every honorable and industrious lawyer to at least
obtain a worthy and reputable standing.

In 1870 he was solicited to become a candidate for the Legislature
from this county, and consented to make the race. As was to have
been expected, he was elected by a highly complimentary majority ;

378

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

and, in 1872, he was re-elected to the House. After serving two
terms in the House of Representatives, in 1874 he became a candidate
for the State Senate for the district composed of St. Charles and
Warren counties. Again his candidacy was supported by a large
majority of the people, and he accordingly took his seat as a member
of theSenate. Since then he has been continuously re-elected to that
body, and still represents this district. His high standing and popu¬
larity reveal a marked significance, when it is considered that whilst
he is a Democrat his district has been largely Republican, but is now
Democratic, the counties of Callaway and Montgomery having been
added thereto. It is by no means a common thing in Missouri, where
party lines are almost invariably drawn closely, for a constituency to
choose a representative from the opposite party.

Mr. Edwards has now served 14 years, consecutively, in the State
Legislature, and is the oldest member, in continuous service, in the
General Assembly. His long experience and close business habits,
and his ability and fidelity to the best interests of his constituents and
of the State at large, render him a legislator of more than ordinary
value to the people. The voters of his district justly consider that his
defeat or refusal to serve would not only be a great loss to them, but
to the best interests of the State, and they therefore support him,
whenever he comes before them for re-election, with earnest and un¬
faltering devotion.

On the 6th day of March, 1873, Mr. Edwards was united in mar¬
riage to Miss Martha Ellen Whitney, a daughter of George Howe
Whitney, formerly an old and esteemed citizen of this county, but
now deceased. Mrs. Edwards is now, also, deceased. She died
August 28, 1881, leaving four children, named, Emmet W., Lucile,
Sarah E. and William W. She was a ladv of many excellent quali-
ties, and was greatly esteemed as a neighbor and acquaintance, as she
was devotedly loved in her own family. Her loss was a heavy bereave¬
ment to her husband, who was attached to her with more than ordi¬
nary affection. By all her memory is cherished as that of one of the
queenliest and best of women.

CASPER EHRHARD

(Of Ehrhard & Thro, Merchant Tailors and Dealers in Gents’ Clothing and Furnishing

Goods, St. Charles).

Mr. Ehrhard came to America with his uncle, John B. Thro, Sr.,
when about 15 years of age, in 1863, and has made his home at St.
Charles ever since that time. He is of ancient German extraction,
but the family had long been settled in Alsace, France, now a part of
Germany. He was born in Alsace, January 12, 1848, being his primal
birthday. His boyhood days were spent principally at school, at
Mollau, his native village, but when 13 years of age he obtained a situa¬
tion as office boy in a manufacturing establishment at Wesserling, in
which he continued until he came to this country. Here he followed
clerking for his uncle, and continued with him in the dry goods busi-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

379

ness until his uncle sold out in 1868. He subsequently clerked for
Clem Hoddup until his uncle engaged in the clothing business, in the
summer of 1869. He then resumed clerking for him, and in 1871
bought out his uncle. After this the firm of Ehrhard & Pritchett
carried on the business until 1877, when Mr. Pritchett retired and
JohnB. Thro, Jr., succeeded him, since which the firm has been, as
it is at present, Ehrhard & Thro. This firm is by all odds at the head
of the clothing business in St. Charles. They have a large establish-
ment, and employ from 8 to 10 men, their aggregate sales reaching
from $35,000 to $40,000 a year. The merchant tailoring branch of
their business is quite important, their house being liberally patronized
in this line. They employ the best cutters and fitters to be had, and
guarantee satisfaction in every instance. Their tailors are artists in
their trade, and they see to it that nothing leaves their shop on which
they are not willing to risk their reputation. They make a specialty
of making fine clothing, and their house has obtained a wide reputation
for this class of work. They also keep a heavy stock of ready-made
clothing and gents’ furnishing goods — the leading stock of the city.
Both are thoroughly capable and enterprizi ng business men, and
eminently deserve the excellent success they have achieved. In the
spring of 1869 Mr. Ehrhard was married to Miss Mary A. Holtzcheider,
a daughter of Joseph A. Holtzcheider, of St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs.
Ehrhard have seven children: Joseph, Hubert ft., Edward, Oliver,
Paul, Angeline and Alice. He and wife are members of the Catholic
Church, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, in
which order he has held the office of financial secretary.

JOHN B. THRO, JR.

(Of Ehrhard & Thro, Merchant Tailors and Dealer in Gents’ Clothing and Furnishing

Goods, St. Charles).

Mr. Thro, the junior partner in the above-named firm, like Mr.,
Ehrhard, is a native of Alsace, born at Mollau, February 23, 1855.
His father was Bernard Thro, and his mother’s maiden name Theresa
Koehl, both of old Alsacian families. John B., Jr., was reared in his
native country up to the age of 13 when he came to America,
making the trip across the Atlantic and on to St. Charles entirely
alone so far as relatives and friends were concerned. Here he obtained
a situation as clerk in a dry goods store, where he continued until
1877, when he bought an interest in the firm of Pritchett & Ehrhard,
taking Mr. Pritchett’s interest in the firm. He has since been a
partner in the firm of Ehrhard & Thro, and has contributed very
materially by his enterprise, thorough business qualifications and popu¬
larity to the success of the firm. The business of this firm has already
been spoken of in the sketch of Mr. Ehrhard, so that it is unnecessary
to repeat here what had been said there. Suffice it to say that they
have one of the leading establishments in their line, outside of St.
Louis, in North-east Missouri.

380

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

DAVID W. FERGUSON, M. D.

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, and Retired Physician, St. Charles).

Dl\ Ferguson is a native of Ohio, born in Warren county, October
7, 1818. His father, William Ferguson, was originally from New
Jersey, but his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Boal, was
from Pennsylvania. They removed to Ohio as early as 1804, or rather
the father went there at that time. They were married in that State
in 1814. He died in Warren county, of which he was one of the
pioneers, at a ripe and honored age, in 1832. Dr. Ferguson was reared
in that county and received an excellent education. He took a thor¬
ough course in the ordinary schools and completed his education at

the State University in Cincinnati. While there he also studied civil

«/

engineering. In the spring of 1838 he came to Missouri and located in
St. Charles county. Here, after his removal to this county, he fol¬
lowed farming for a few years and then studied medicine under Dr.
Twyman. His first and second course of lectures were taken at Mc¬
Dowell’s College in 1843-44 and graduated there in the spring of ’45.
He then located in Marion county, Mo., for the practice of his pro¬
fession, and after two years spent there he practiced in Macomb, Mc¬
Donough, Ill., for two years. After this he returned to St. Charles
county, and followed the practice here until 1856. Since then he has
been engaged in farming exclusively. Dr. Ferguson has a handsome
farm in the vicinity of St. Charles of 275 acres. In 1845 he was mar¬
ried to Miss Eliza Gallaher, a daughter of Rev. James Gallaher, who
was orginallv from East Tennessee. There were four children by this
union: Robert H., who died in 1872, at the age of 28; Mary, the
wife of Albert G. McDearmon ; Wilson B., now in Arizona; and Ed¬
win, who died in 1879, at the age of 21. The mother of these died
in 1861. To his present wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth G. Gallaher, a
cousin to his first wife and a daughter of Rev. Allen G. Gallaher, he
was married in 1864. Dr. Ferguson located on the farm where he
now resides bordering on the city limits of St. Charles, in 1856. He
and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. F. was a
director ofLindenwood College for a number of years.

ALEXANDER GARVIN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, St. Charles).

In all this world there is nothing more touching and tender than
the devotion of a mother, a loving, true-hearted mother, to her chil¬
dren. With her it is an attachment stronger than life itself. There
is no sacrifice too great for her to make for their welfare and happi¬
ness, nothing within the range of possibility too difficult for her to
undertake. For them she is prepared to undergo a life-time of hard¬
ship and self-denial, of humble, unceasing toil if needs be, shut off
from all pleasures and diversions, and cheered only bv their happiness
and success. This noblest and truest and purest of all the sentiments

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

381

of the human heart found a happy and striking illustration in the life
of the good and devoted mother of the subject of the present sketch.
A woman of singular nobility of heart, she was at the same time pos¬
sessed of a mind of rare intelligence and force. She came of a worthy
New England family, the Malersons, of Connecticut, a family usually
marked for their intelligence and culture. She, herself, was a lady
of good education, and was almost an enthusiast in the cause of edu¬
cation. After her marriage in Pennsylvania to Alexander Garvin,
Sr., they came West to Missouri, and settled in St. Charles county,
as early as 1817. Here her husband subsequently died, leaving her
a widow with small means, or, rather, with an average farm, for those
days, and with a large family of children. She continued to live in
widowhood in this county for many years and until her death. With
her children growing up around her on the farm, and with only ex¬
tremely inditferent school advantages available in the neighborhood,
the great difficulties in the way of their education which confronted
her would have appalled any one with less courage and energy, or
less parental devotion. But widow as she was and with only such
means as she could make by the industry of herself and children
on the farm and by her own good management, she determined to
see that they were given good educations. In such circumstances it
would seem worthy of great credit to her even to have kept the
family together and brought them up in ordinary comfort, to say
nothing of attempting to give each of the children collegiate educa¬
tions, especially when the time and condition of the country are
considered. But she so managed her affairs, conducted her farm
with such energy and intelligence, that she not only brought up her
children well and so that they always kept, and were welcomed in
the best company, but gave each one the benefit of a college course.
Few men of the county among its most substantial citizens did as
well as this, and none did better. Her children all secured ad¬
vanced educations and became well settled in life, representative
and respected members of their respective communities. Such is
the result of the life-work of a loving devoted mother, a work accom¬
plished in the face of the greatest difficulties, but a work that should
make her memory dear to every heart not insensible to all that is
noble and true in human nature. The memory of such a mother
may well be cherished by her children and her children’s chil¬
dren as a sacred family heritage, the purest and best that
could be handed down. Alexander Garvin, Sr., and Anna (Mal-
erson) Garvin reared a family of seven children, and of these
Alexander, Jr., was the sixth. He was born in Portage township,
this county, July 10, 1825, and was left an orphan when a lad six
years of age by the death of his father. He was reared on the farm
by his mother, and, as indicated above, was given excellent educational
advantages. He took the usual courses in the primary and inter¬
mediate schools, and completed his education at St. Charles College.
After returning from college he engaged in farming on the homestead,
and continued in that occupation until after his marriage. Mr. Gar-

382

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

vin was married February 9, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth J. Boyd, a
daughter of William A. and Elizabeth (Poage) Boyd, highly re¬
spected residents of this county, but formerly of Indiana. Mr. Gar¬
vin’s wife was educated at the Boonville Female Seminary, where she
graduated after a thorough course in the class of ’52. After his mar¬
riage, Mr. Garvin engaged in merchandising at St. Charles, and con-
tinued in business at that city for about 16 years. He was very
successful in business and accumulated a large property. In 1872 he
retired to one of his farms in the countv, where he is now living in
comfort, and engaged in farming and managing his landed interests.
He is one of the large land holders of the county. Mr. and Mrs. G.
have been blessed with a family of eight children, five of whom are
living: Marietta, who is a graduate of the Strother Institute, at Inde¬
pendence ; William E., who is a graduate of Westminster College,
and of the Law Department of the Washington University, and is
now engaged in practicing law at St. Louis ; Ulela, a graduate of the
Synodical Female College at Fulton ; A. Boyd and Gertrude, the last
two still quite young and at home. Mr. Garvin, as the education of
his children would seem to indicate, inherited to a marked degree the
characteristic of his mother in regard to education ; and this is un¬
questionably true. He has always taken an active and public-spirited
interest in the cause of education, and has done as much as any
man in the county to bring the people up to the public sentiment that
now prevails in favor of education. His father was also a man of
more than ordinary mental force and much given to reading and
mental culture. He was a native of Richmond, Ya. , born Septem¬
ber 15, 1784. He died in this county, April 13, 1832. The mother,
born in Connecticut, April 13, 1790, died October 20, 1871. They
were married in Pennsylvania, June 7, 1810. Both were exemplary
members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Garvin, the subject of
this sketch, and his wife are also members of that church, and he
holds the office of deacon in the church.

BENJAMIN H. GERET, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeoy, St. Charles).

Dr. Geret has been engaged in the practice of his profession at St.
Charles for the past 12 years. His superior skill and attainments as
a physician and surgeon are well recognized by all who have an
opportunity of judging of his professional standing. In point of
education and a thorough knowledge of his profession, so far as light
is thrown on it by the latest and best writers, it may with all fairness
and frankness be said, and without disparagement of others, that he
• stands second to few physicians, if to any, in the State; while his
experience in the practice has been such as to make him thoroughly
familiar with the practical use of the extensive knowledge he has
obtained in the school and by private study and investigation. Edu¬
cated in Europe, both generally and professionally, he acquitted
himself with distinguished honor as a student, which means a great
deal in Germany, where the requirements of the universities are more

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

383

exacting and severe than in any other country. Such was the distine-
tion with which Dr. Geret graduated in medicine that he attracted
general attention in Bavaria, his native country, especially in medical
circles, and he was promptly offered a position as physician to the
North German line of Lloyd steamers, which he accepted. He occu¬
pied that position with great credit to himself and with eminent satis¬
faction to the steamship management for nearly three years, or until
the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war, when he resigned it to
accept a surgeon-majorship in the German army. He was specially
appointed to that position by royal commission, in recognition of his
prominence and eminent ability in his profession. Dr. Geret served
throughout the war, and fully met the expectations that were enter¬
tained of him. For his eminent services he was formally decorated
with the highest honors conferred on members of the medical pro¬
fession by both the King of Bavaria and the Emperor of Germany.
After the close of the war Dr. Geret, although offered positions of
distinction in the medical service of the army and in public and pri¬
vate institutions, decided to come to America, being ambitious to
see something of the New World, about which he had read a great
deal, and to gratify a naturally spirited, restless, enterprising disposi¬
tion, which is one of his most marked characteristics. He accord¬
ingly set sail for America, and landed at New York May 21, 1871.
His reputation in his profession had preceded him to this country,
and he was at once offered a position as physician in the German Hos¬
pital at New York. He remained there about nine months, when he
resigned to push on out West. Dr. Geret having acquaintances at St.
Charles came directly to this city, where, after debating the matter
in his own mind thoroughly, he decided to locate permanently.
Here his eminent qualifications and superior professional skill soon
became recognized, and he readily took a front position in his profes¬
sion. He has attained all the prominence that a place like St.
Charles can confer. His practice extends over a circuit of about 20
miles, and he has been very successful in the treatment of cases.
In surgery he is especially remarked for his eminent skill and abil¬
ity. Dr. Geret is a man of family. He was married September 17,
1874. His wife was a Miss Barbara Schneider, a daughter of the
late Anton Schneider, of this city. The Doctor and Mrs. Geret have
two children, Charlotte and Olga. He and wife are members of the
German Catholic Church. Dr. Geret was a son of Frederick W. and
Eleonore F. (Versmann) Geret, both born and reared in Bavaria.
The Doctor was born there December, 1841. He received a univer¬
sity education, and graduated in medicine at the Medical University
of Erlangen, in the class of ’68. His subsequent career has been
outlined above.

KEY. J. H. PH. GRAEBNER

(Minister of the German Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Mo.).

Rev. Mr. Graebner is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria, July 7,
1819. His father was Johann Graebner, and his mother Eleonore

384

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Rehm before marriage. His father was a music teacher, and died
when Philip, the subject of this sketch, was 14 years of age. Rev.
Philip Graebner was principally reared in Bavaria, and received a
good general education in the German language. In his childhood he
visited private schools ; then he obtained his theological education in
the mission seminary of Rev. W. Loehe, at Neudettelsau, Bavaria.
In 1847 he received a vocation from an emigrant colony, organized in
his vicinity for settlement in Michigan, with which colony he came
over during that year and settled in Saginaw county, Mich. September
5, 1847, after he came to America, he was regularly ordained a min¬
ister of the German Lutheran Church by the Missouri synod, Prof.
Craemer officiating. After this he was engaged in the ministry at
Frankentrost, Saginaw county, Mich., for six years, and then accepted
a call to Roseville, Macomb county, Mich., where he remained until
the year A.D., 1859, when he accepted a call from the Lutheran con¬
gregation at St. Charles, Mo. Rev. Mr. Graebner came to St. Charles
in May, 1859, and has been located at this place ever since. He has
always been recognized here as a man whose walk and talk in life are
consistent with his faith in the requirement of the holy office he fills.
He is an earnest, pious, Christian minister, a man well grounded in
theology, a pleasant, effective speaker, and profoundly zealous in the
cause of religion. In 1848 Rev. Mr. Graebner was married to Miss
Jakobine Denninger, a daughter of George Denninger and Susanna
(Itschmer), who came over from Germany and settled in Monroe
county, Mich., in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Graebner have seven children :
August, who is married and is a professor of theology in the Theolog¬
ical Seminary of the Lutheran synod of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis. ;
Conrad, who is also married and is a resident of East Saginaw, Mich. ;
Henry, who is likewise married and is a teacher at Milwaukee, Wis. ;
Frederick, who is now taking a theological course at St. Louis ; Will¬
iam, now at the seminary; Addison, Illinois; Regine, who is now the
wife of Rev. J. H. Jungkuntz, at North Judson, Ind. ; Kunigunde,
now the wife of H. H. Eggebrecht, teacher at St. Charles, Mo. They
have lost one, Adelbert.

CAPT. JOHN F. HACKMAN

(Of S. H. Merten & Co., Proprietors of the Central Roller Flouring Mills, St.

Charles).

Capt. Hackman, who has had a successful business experience in
the grain trade and in milling, is of German parentage, but was
himself born and reared in St. Charles county. He was a young
man, just past his twentieth year, when the war broke out in 1861.
Loyalty to the Union was a distinguishing and honorable charac¬
teristic of the Germans of the countrv during the great life-struggle
of the Nation. Wherever a German was found or a man of German
parentage or antecedents, a faithful Unionist, was almost invariably
found. Not only in principle and sympathy were they for the great
government, which they had come so far and endured so many hard-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

385

ships to live under and enjoy the personal liberty and benign equality
before its just laws, but they were ready and anxious to fight for its
preservation. Young Hackman was no exception to this class of his
countrymen. He promptly enlisted under the old flag before the
smoke of Ft. Sumpter had fairly cleared away, and he continued to
do his duty in the ranks of the Union until the flag that was hauled
down at Ft. Sumpter early in 1861 was unfurled in triumph at Appo¬
mattox in 1865. He entered the service as a sergeant and rose to
the command of a company, which he held during most of the war
and until its close. During this time, however, he became interested
in the grain business at St. Charles in partnership with his brother,
Wm. Hackman and Herman Mallinckrodt. This firm continued
business up to 1866, when they formed a company for the milling
business and built the present roller mills. Capt. Hackman has been
in the business ever since, though the firm otherwise has had several
changes. They have one of the best mills of the patent roller class
in the country. Their mill has a capacity of 200 barrels of flour a
day, and they do a large merchant-milling business. Capt. H. is the
book-keeper of the firm, and has discharged the duties of that posi¬
tion for the past eight years. Capt. Hackman is the mayor of St.
Charles, having been elected at the last spring election. He had for-

councilman for several years.

CHARLES F. HAFER

( Of Hafer & Sons, Dealers in General Merchandise, St. Charles).

In early manhood Mr. Hafer had a varied experience and one not with¬
out hardships. A native of Prussia, he was born September 28, 1833,
and at the age of 19 left his native land for the New World beyond
the blue mists of the Atlantic. He took passage across the sea on a
sail vessel, and, like tineas of old, was for many days tossed about
on the boundless waters at the mercy of the winds and waves. At
last making haven at New Orleans he safely disembarked and soon
proceeded up the turgid current of the Mississippi to St. Louis, where
he spent about nine months at work in a sugar refinery. He was now
employed to take control of a lot of men and to proceed to Cuba, in
the West Indies, for the purpose of carrying on the sugar refinery.
He was there successfullv engaged in that business for about nine
months, or until his men were stricken down with the yellow fever.
In this emergency he did his full duty by his men, staying with them
and waiting on them faithfully as a nurse until their recovery or death,
and those that died where given the last sad rites as best he could
perform them, a decent and Christian burial. Not until all the others
had fallen under che malady was he taken down, and then he was so
much exhausted by his labors and night- watchings for his men that no
hope of his recovery was entertained. Meanwhile, he had started to
make his way back to God’s country, the United States, and through
friends, although sick of the yellow fever, he was kindly smuggled
into New Orleans, where the change of atmosphere and surroundings

merly served as a city

386

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

soon became manifest in his rapid recovery. After his recovery Mr.
Hafer returned to St. Louis, where he had to begin life anew at the
bottom of the ladder. He learned the cooper’s trade, and in 1857
came to St. Charles and established a wooden-ware factory at this
place. In this he was quite successful and soon had a number of men
at work under him. After an experience of about nine years in the
coopering business he sold out and, with a partner, engaged in mer¬
chandising. In this he has also been successful, his house soon
becoming one of the leading houses in general merchandise of St.
Charles. He went into business with H. H. Shaberg, under the firm
of Shaberg & Hafer in 1863. In 1869 Mr. Shaberg retired, and Mr.
Mathias Sholle succeeded him. The firm then was known as Hafer &
Sholle. During this period Mr. Hafer was especially successful, as
the great railroad bridge was then built, and Mr. H.’s store being the
headquarters of the foremen and engineers, they had no difficulty in
procuring the trade of the workingmen. Mr. Sholle died in Janu¬
ary, 1872. The business was then carried on under the firm name of

Chas. F. Hafer until December, 1872, when Mr. Hafer sold out his

interest to Messrs. Geo. H. & Herman Brueggemann. In October,

CO 7

1873, he bought the interest of Geo. H. Brueggemann and was again

7 O Ou C

the leading partner of the firm under the style of Hafer & Bruegge¬
mann. In February, 1877, Mr. Brueggemann retired and was suc¬
ceeded by Mr. Hafer’s sons, under the name and style of Chas. T.
Hafer & Sons, which it is up to present date. Hafer & Sons carry a
very large stock of general merchandise, including dry goods, cloth¬
ing, boots and shoes, groceries, queen’s-ware, glassware, etc. They
are doing a business of about $55,000 to $60,000 a year. Mr. Hafer
has served twice as city councilman, once in the third and once from
the fourth wards. In August, 1855, Mr. Hafer was married to Mrs.
Mary Piths, widow of William Piths, formerly of Hanover. Mr.
and Mrs. Hafer have two sons — Christian F. W. and Henry F. —
both of whom are partners in the store. Mr. H. and family are
members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a member of the
I. O. O. F.

J. HENRY HAGEMANN

(Of Hagemann & Meiser, Carpenters, Contractors and Builders, St. Charles).

The above firm, of which Mr. Hagemann is a member, is one of
the leading firms in that line, if in fact, not the leading one, at St.
Charles. The partnership was formed in 1878 and has continued
ever since with mutual satisfaction and profit. They do a large busi¬
ness in the way of contracting* and building, and have a wide and
enviable reputation in this class of work. Mr. Hagemann was born
in St. Charles county, November 12, 1849, and was a son of John
W. and Margaret (Addelheide) Hagemann, formerly of Hanover.
They came to St. Charles county in 1847, where they made their
permanent home. The father was a brick mason by trade and
followed that at St. Charles. During the war he served with courage

V — / O

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

387

and patriotism in the Union army. He died July 30, 1880. The
mother died September 9, 1873. Both were members of the German
Lutheran Church. They had a family of nine children, the others
besides J. Henry, being William, who died in childhood ; Eliza, who
also died at a tender age, J. Hermann, Anna, Julia, Mary, Wilhelmina
and Louise. Anna and Wilhelmina reside in St. Louis. J. Henry
Hagemann, who was the eldest of the family of children, was reared
at St. Charles, and learned the carpenter’s trade as he grew up. His
education was acquired at the German Lutheran school of this place
and the St. Charles College. He has followed carpentering ever
since quitting college, and has built many of the better houses of
St. Charles, including Mittelberger’s Opera House and the Galt
Hou se. Mr. H. is unmarried and is a member of the German
Lutheran Church.

JESSE HAIGLER

(Retired Farmer, St. Charles) .

This venerable and respected old citizen of St. Charles county, a
man whose life, to a green old age, has been well and usefully spent,
and has been tarnished by no wrong, stands a worthy representative,
in the third generation, of one of the gallant old soldiers of the
Revolution who fought side by side with Washington for the estab¬
lishment of liberty and independence in the New World, and the great
nation that now stands out the brightest and most powerful in the
galaxy of peoples on the globe. His grandfather was William
Haigler, who was a member of the body-guard of Gen. Washington
throughout the Revolution, an honor that his descendants may more
justly boast of than any descendant may of his ancestor having been
a member of the “ Old Guard” of Napoleon. Mr. Haigler’s father
was Jacob Haigler, and the family is an old and respected Virginia
family. Jacob Haigler married Christiana Harper, and they reared
12 children to be grown and married. Of these, Jesse Haigler, the
subject of this sketch, is the third. He was born in Randolph county,
Virginia, November 6, 1808, and in 1831 was married to Miss Cath¬
erine Currence, a daughter of William Currence, of Virginia. Eight
years afterwards Mr. Haigler came to Missouri and settled in Frank¬
lin county where he followed farming. In 1845 he crossed over into
St. Charles county, where he opened a large farm, having some 400
acres in his tract. He also kept an extensive wood-yard to supply
river boats and for shipment. He still owns his farm, but the shipping
current of the river has swept away about half his land. In 1876 he
retired from the active work of farming and removed to St. Charles,
where he is spending the serene Indian summer of life in comparative
ease and comfort. He rents out his farm which yields him a satis¬
factory income. Mr. Haigler’s first wife died in 1847, leaving him
six children: Cyrus R., Mahulda A., who is the wife of Dr. William
West, of Chariton county; Loman H., William F., Virginia, and C.
Webster. One little girl died in infancy. Mr. Haigler’s second

388

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

wife was a Miss Elizabeth D. Smith, who survived her marriage less
than two years. She left a son, Joseph D. To his last wife, nee
Miss Mary Casey, he was married in 1851. She was a daughter of
Matthew and Margaret Casey, who came to America from Ireland in
1817 and from Virginia to St. Louis, Mo., in 1843. Mr. Haigler’s
last wife died in 1881. His son, Cyrus, was killed in Chariton county
during the war. Mr. H.’s father was one of the early Meth¬
odists of Virginia, and he remembers that when he was a boy
his father’s house was used for church purposes for the early
circuit riders, those of the ridge circuits as well as of the bottom
circuits. Ministers then were not so cultured as they are now, nor so
well dressed, but it is believed that there was far more piety and
religious zeal in the clergy than there is at the present day. Salaries
were not large, but the good sisters knew how to make good corn
bread, good butter, and prepare good meat and vegetables, while
there was a loom in every household for good, honest blue jeans, so
that the preachers were always well fed and warmly clothed, and as
a class they were generally happy and contented. Evidently those
were good old times, the like of which we shall never see again. In
fact, the writer himself never did see them, but then the worthy old
septuagenarian whose name heads this sketch has seen them and
enjoyed them, and it is a pleasure to observe with what animation and
happiness he speaks of them.

MARTIN HENNEMEYER

(Proprietor of the St. Charles Feed, Seed, and Farm Machine^ Store, St. Charles) .

Mr. Hennemeyer’s career adds another example to the many
instances of success achieved by the energetic, thrifty Germans who
have made their homes in this country. He was born in Prussia,
September 27, 1838. Reared in his native county, he came to
America in 1857 at the age of 19, and located in St. Charles county.
In 1861, having been engaged in farming in the meantime, he enlisted
in the Union service and served for about 12 months. After this he
went to work on the barracks in St. Louis, and, saving up a little
means at this, he engaged in the retail liquor trade. In 1865, how¬
ever, he returned to St. Charles and resumed farming. Shortlv he
was married to Miss Mary Miller, a daughter of Joseph and Mary
Miller, who came from Prussia in 1845. Mrs. H’s. mother died here
in 1878, and her father in 1880. Soon after his marriage Mr. Henne-
meyer started the transfer business at St. Charles, or teaming, which
he kept up continuously until 1883, when he established his present
store. He carries a full stock of feed of all kinds and seed and also a
full line of farm machinery. Mr. Hennemeyer is well-known in and
around St. Charles and has the confidence of the entire community.
He has an excellent trade and is doing well in his present business.
In 1880 he was elected a member of the city council and served with
satisfaction to the public for two years. Mr. and Mrs. Hennemeyer
have six children : George, Henry, Mary, Ida, Freddie and Frankie.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

389

They lost two in infancy. He and wife are members of the Catholic
Church, and he is a member of the Knights of America and the Catho¬
lic Benevolent Society.

THOMAS HEYE

(Dealer in Stoves and Tinware, St. Charles).

Forty-four years ago from the present fall Frederick Heye, the
father of the subject of this sketch, crossed the blue waters of the
Atlantic from Hanover bound for America. He came to this country
believing; that he could do better for himself and establish himself
more comfortably in life than was possible for him to do in the Old
World. He came directly to St. Louis. He was then a young
man and had learned the tinner’s trade in his native country. He
followed this in St. Louis for about 10 years, and then came up
to St. Charles, where he made his permanent home. Here he was
subsequently married to Miss Louisa Fetter, whose parents were
also originally from Germany. He soon opened a tin shop and
finally brought on a general stock of hardware, both of which lines
he carried on with success until his death. He died at this city
February 2, 1881, profoundly regretted by all who knew him. He
became a man of considerable local consideration and served in the
city council some 12 years. He was also vice-president of the Mu¬
tual Fire Insurance Company for a period of no less than 20 years.
He and his good wife were blessed with a family of eight children,
most of whom have become well settled in life. Thomas Heye is the
fourth in the family of children and was born October 6, 1859. He
was brought up to his father’s business, and after the death of his
father carried on business for his mother. Subsequently he secured
his mother’s interest and has ever since been sole proprietor of the
establishment. He carries a large and well selected stock of shelf
and heavy hardware, and also a full line of stoves and tinware, etc.
He likewise runs a first-class tin shop in connection with his busi¬
ness. He has a good trade and is doing well. He is a worthy mem¬
ber of the A. O. U. W.

J. PHILIPP HOEHN

(Dealer in Groceries, and Late City Treasurer; also President of the St. Charles

Mutual Insurance Company).

It has been nearly 30 years ago since Mr. Hoehn first made his
home at St. Charles. He was then a young man early in his twenties,
and had barely begun to get what may be called a foothold in life.
He had received a good practical education, however, before leaving
his native country, Germany, and what is equally as good, had learned
a good honest trade, a calling that he could always rely upon for a
comfortable support wherever his fortunes might be cast, when able
to work. He was brought up in a country where honest toil is con¬
sidered no badge of dishonor, but where all believe that only those

390

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

should thrive and prosper who do so by worthy industry. Mr. Hoehn
came to America in 1854, and after stopping for a time at New Orleans
and at St. Louis for a little while, he located at St. Charles the follow¬
ing year, where he has ever since made his home. Here he formed a
partnership for carrying on his trade, that of plasterer, with Frederick
Wilhelm, which continued until after the outbreak of the war. Hav¬
ing left Germany and come to this country on account of his admira¬
tion of the free institutions of America, it is therefore not surprising
that when the issue came whether these institutions, this free Republic,
should be broken up and destroyed or maintained for those of the pres¬
ent generation and for posterity, he promptly trained under the flag
of the Union and shouldered his musket to fight for the government
that he had left his own country and come across the sea to live under.
He was out from the opening until the close of the war, first in the
Home Guards and then in the regular State militia volunteers. Sev-
eral times he was promoted for meritorious service, and finally rose
to the rank of first lieutenant, which he held until he was mustered
out. He was once slightly wounded during the war. Returning home
after the return of peace, he resumed work at his trade, he and his
former partner then engaging in business together. They had good
success in their business. In 1871 Mr. Hoehn was elected city mar¬
shal, and was afterwards re-elected, being also during the time ex-officio
city collector. Subsequent to this he was appointed deputy sheriff,
and also about this time became secretary of the car works at St.
Charles. In 1876 Mr. Hoehn engaged in his present business, the
grocery trade, which he has ever since followed. He carries a large
stock of groceries, queen’s- ware, glassware, etc., and also a stock of
liquors. His trade is among the better class of customers, and is sub¬
stantial and fairly profitable. About three years ago, having for some
years before been a prominent member in the St. Charles Mutual Fire
Insurance Company, and a member of its board of directors, he was
elected president of the company, a position he still holds. This is
well known as one of the reliable and well conducted insurance com¬
panies of the State, and such has been the high character and integrity
of its management that it has never for a moment lost the confidence
of the public, or even allowed itself to be placed in a doubtful posi¬
tion. Mr. Hoehn has been city treasurer, a position he held for some
eight years. He has served one term in the city council, and has
held other positions of local consideration. Mr. Hoehn is one of the
substantial citizens and clear-headed business men of St. Charles, and
commands general respect and public confidence. Since 1858 he has
been blessed with a family, though his home has not escaped, through
all these long years, the sorrow of the shadow of death. His first
wife was a Miss Amelia Jung, a daughter of T. George Jung, formerly
of Alsace, France, now a German province. She survived her mar¬
riage nearly 18 years, but was at last taken away from her loved ones
on this side the silent river whose opposite shore no mortal eye has ever
seen, in 1876. She left four children : Laura L., George F., Amelia
and Emily. One besides, a son, and the eldest, G. Otto, died in

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

391

October, 1883, aged 24 years. To his present wife, Mr. Hoehn was
married in the fall of 1878. She was a Miss Adelaida Agene, formerly
of Hanover. They have one child, Veronika A. Mr. Hoehn is a
prominent member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Workingmen’s
Union.

FREDERICK W. HOLKE

(Of J. N. Mettelberger & Co., Dealers in Dry Goods, Boots, Shoes, Furnishing Goods,

Etc., St. Charles).

From the age of 18 years Mr. Holke has given his undivided

time and attention to merchandising. For 11 years he was with

one house in St. Charles, and since that time he has been continuously

a member of the present firm. That he thoroughly understands

retail merchandising it seems, in view of these facts, unnecessary to

say. As a clerk he was not only valued by his employers, but was

more than ordinarily popular with the public. The trade he brought

to the house was a not inconsiderable item taken into account bv the

firm. And when he entered into his present partnership, although
he put his capital into the firm, the custom his name demands was of
more value to the business than the capital he put in. Air. Holke is
not only a popular salesman, but a buyer of superior judgment, and
understands thoroughly the successful management of a store. He
is one of the active, energetic members of the firm, and has con¬
tributed his full share to the marked success their house has achieved.
Air. Holke was born and reared in St. Charles county and is of Ger¬
man parentage. The family came here in an early day. His
father was Herman H. Holke, and his mother nee Kate Wulfe-
kammer, both from Prussia. His father was a farmer and had a suc¬
cessful experience as such in this county. Frederick W. was the
eldest of the family of three sons and four daughters. His brother,
Henry J., is a physician at St. Paul, Ill. His other brother, John
H., is at Holstein, and also a physician. Frederick W. received a
common-school education as he grew up on the farm, and at the age
of 18 came to St. Charles and secured a position as clerk, which
he continued* for 11 years, as stated above. He not only learned
the business thoroughly, but by economy saved up some means as a
nucleus on which to begin business for himself. This he invested in
his present business. November 28, 1879, he was married to Miss
Cora H. Barron. She was educated at Lindenwood College. Mr.

and Mrs. Holke have a family of three children: Emory B., Urban
E. and Irene N. Mrs. H. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

COL. JOHN D. HOLLRAH

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, and ex-Presiding Judge of the County Court; Post-office,

St. Charles).

The name that heads this sketch is well known throughout the
county as that of one of the old and highly respected and prominent
and influential citizens of the county. Judge Hollrah has lived in

392

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

this county from boyhood, and by his own industry and good man¬
agement, his high character and usefulness as a citizen, has become
both a leading farmer of the county and one of its prominent, repre¬
sentative men. Farming has been his occupation, including raising
and handling stock, from youth, and he has devoted his entire time
and attention to it when not otherwise employed in the military or
civil service of the public. As a farmer he has accumulated a com¬
fortable property ; has become, in fact, one of the substantial property
holders of the county. His homestead contains 450 acres, which is
all under fence and well improved. He has other valuable farming
lands in the county. Judge Hollrah was born in Hanover, Germany,
September 30, 1824, and was about 11 years of age when his
father, John D. Hollrah, Sr., came to this country with his family of
children and settled in St. Charles county. Col. Hollrah is the only
one of the five children of the family living. His father died here in
1859, but his mother, nee Mary Folbush, died in Germany in 1827.
His father was a carpenter by trade, but after he came to America
followed farming. He was a gallant soldier in the German army
during the Napoleonic wars. After he grew up, John D. Hollrah,
Jr., was married in this county, December 13, 1850, to Miss Anna
Bechbrede, a daughter of Diderich and Helena Bechbrede, formerly
of Hanover. Col. Hollrah engaged in farming at about the time of
reaching his majority and has followed it ever since. At the outbreak
of the war he organized a company for the Union service, of which
he was made captain — Co. M, Twenty-seventh Missouri State militia.
In 1863 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and held
that position until the close of the war. In 1866 Col. Hollrah was
elected presiding justice of the county court, and was afterwards
re-elected to that office as long as he would consent to serve, continu-
ing in it until 1874. He and wife and family are members of the
Lutheran Church. There are eight children : Henry, who married
Miss Mary Barklage, and is engaged in farming in this county; Her¬
mann, August, Frederick, Anna, Edward and George.

JAMES C. HOLMES

(Editor and Proprietor of the St. Charles News).

Mr. Holmes was the second of eight children of Lorenzo Dow and
Margaret (Lupton) Holmes, and was born March 19, 1851, in the
residence in which he now resides, which was among the first brick
residences built in St. Charles. His father was born in St. Charles
county near where the present village of Cottleville now stands, and
resided continuously, excepting a few years in St. Louis, in St. Charles
count}r, where from a meagre beginning he amassed a fair competence
and left to his family the heritage of a good name. He was married
July 8, 1847, in St. Louis to Miss Margaret Lupton, by whom he had
eight children, of whom but two, James C. and William F. survive.
He died in Nashville, Tenn., on March 11, 1864. Mrs. Margaret
Holmes, the mother of the subject of our sketch, is still alive, and is

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

393

a woman of remarkable force of character* and yet susceptible of the
kindliest and tenderest of sentiments. She was bom in Allegheny
county, near Pittsburg, Pa., of Richard and Mary (Loughy) Lupton.
Her mother’s ancestors, who were descendants of the kings of Ire-
land, came to America during the troublous times of 1798, when
many of the Irish nobles and gentry were exiled from the land of
their birth and their property confiscated for their adherence to the
faith of their fathers. All were active participants in the War of 1812.
James C. Holmes received a good general education at the public
schools and the college of the Christian Brothers in St. Louis. Be¬
coming the proprietor of the St. Charles News in May, 1883, he has
devoted himself to the profession of journalism. The News is the
only English Democratic and is one of the leading newspapers in St.
Charles county, its circulation being nearly 2,000 copies. Its large
advertising patronage places it on a secure footing. On November 1,
1883, Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Catherine Cornwell, daughter
of James Cornwell, of Kirkwood, St. Louis county. They were
married in Bloomington, Ill., by Rev. Father Weldon, pastor of the
English Catholic Church of that city. Mrs. Holmes is a lady possessed
of many amiable traits of character, and is highly esteemed by a large
circle of friends.

FREDERICK W. HUCKER

(Baker and Confectioner, St. Charles).

Mr. Hucker has been engaged in his present business at St. Charles
for the last 20 years, uninterruptedly, and being a man who under¬
stands his business thoroughly, economical, and a good manager, he
has, of course, succeeded to the limit that could fairly be expected for
one in his line of business at a place of the size of St. Charles. He
has an old and established trade, a business that may be relied on as
long as it is attended to properly with as much confidence and security
as a pension from the government. His close attention to business,
fair dealing and good standing in the community, have brought him
success, which he justly deserves. Mr. Hucker was born in Hanover
March 25, 1830, and was married in the year 1857, to Miss Emilie
Riemenschneider, and in 1857 emigrated with his familv to the United
States, having previously learned the baker’s and confectioner’s trade.
He located there at St. Louis and carried on a bakery until 1864,
when he came to St. Charles, where he has ever since resided. His
wife was born in Prussia, September 17, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Hucker
have five children: Gustave H., in business with his father; Amanda,
the wife of Otto Kolwey, was married July 19, 1883 ; Ida, Hulda and
Emil; the two uirfnarried daughters and son being still at home.
Gustave received a high school education at St. Louis, and in October,
1883, was married to Louise Gerding, from New Haven, Franklin
county.

394

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

AUGUST R. HUNING

(Dealer in Dry Goods, Boots and Shoes, Carpets, Etc., St. Charles).

Mr. Huning is well known to the people of St. Charles and sur¬
rounding country as one of the leading business men and substantial
citizens of the county. He is a native of St. Charles county, born in
the year 1836. His father was Frederick Huning, a native of
Hanover, and his mother’s maiden name Catherine Wortman, also
from Germany ; both have long since been deceased. The father died
soon after coming to this country, in about 1837; the mother, how¬
ever, survived until 1854. August R. grew up in St. Charles county,
and had very limited opportunities for an education. The knowledge
of books he obtained he acquired mainly by self-culture, or studied at
home without an instructor. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the
Union service as a member of the Eighth Indiana infantry as a musi¬
cian, in which he served until the spring of 1862. During this time
he participated in the battle of Pea Ridge and some other engage¬
ments of less importance. Prior to the war, however, he had engaged
in the dry goods business at St. Charles, January, 1860, as a member
of the firm of Melkersman, Kemper & Co., which firm continued until
about 1865. However, they had two stores at that time. In 1867,
the firm having dissolved and Mr. Huning having been in business
alone for some time previous, he then took in a partner, A. W. Wind¬
horst, who continued with him for about 10 years. Since then he
has been engaged in business alone. He carries a large and complete
stock of goods in his line, and has an extensive business, his aggre¬
gate sales amounting to from $55,000 to $60,000 a year. He employs
four clerks in his store besides a book-keeper, and all are kept busy
with their respective duties. Mr. H. has been quite successful in
business life, and is in comfortable circumstances. He is a stockholder
in the St. Charles car manufacturing company at St. Charles, and is
also largely interested in the St. Charles tobacco factory, and is also
a director in the Union Savings bank, in which he is a stockholder.
He is a man of thorough experience in business affairs, and is justly
regarded as one of the most enterprising and public-spirited business
men of St. Charles. In 1864 Mr. Huning was married to Miss Adel-
haide, a daughter of Dr. A. Morgner, of St. Charles county, but
formerly of Germany. Mrs. II. was born in Saxony, but reared in
St. Charles. Mr. H. is a member of the Knights of Honor and of the
A. O. U. W.

REV. ROBERT IRWIN, D. D.

(President of the Linden wood Female College, Post-office, St. Charles).

Rev. Dr. Irwin is a native of Ohio, born at Oxford in Butler county,
January 1, 1833. He was a son of Rev. Robert and Mary A. Irwin,
his father originally from Kentucky, and his mother from Ohio. Dr.
Irwin’s collegiate education was received at Hanover College, Indiana,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

395

where he graduated in 1854. He studied theology at the Western
Theological Seminary of Pittsburg, Pa., where he took a course of
two years, graduating in 1856, and receiving the degree of Doctor of
Divinity. He was thereupon ordained a minister of the Presbyterian
Church, and was called to the pastorate of the Bethlehem Presbyterian
Church of Cass county, Ind. Dr. Irwin had charge of that church for
a period of about eight years, or until 1864. During this time, how¬
ever, in 1861, he entered the United States army and was commis¬
sioned chaplain, but continued in the army only little more than a
year, resigning: on account of sickness. In 1864 he was called to the
charge of the Presbyterian Church at Waveland, Ind. Four years
later he came to Kansas City, Mo., having accepted a call to the pas¬
torate of the First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Irwin occupied this
position for some five years, and was then elected to the superintend¬
ency of the Presbyterian Board of Publication for the West and
South-west, his headquarters thereafter being at St. Louis. He was
Superintendent of Publication in that city until his election to the
presidency of Linden wood Female College in 1880, which he accepted.
He has ever since stood at the head of this institution. Dr. Irwin is
a minister of learning and ability, profoundly pious and deeply
solicitous for the cause of religion, the welfare of his fellow crea¬
tures and the interests of the church. A scholar of advanced culture
and learning, and a man of untiring industry and energy ; possessed
of executive ability of a high order, and singularly gifted with the
qualities which enable one to impress upon those under his instruc¬
tion the information he desires to impart, he is at once an educator
eminently successful as a teacher and a manager of the business
affairs of the college of known and conceded superiority. Under
his administration Lindenwood College has had one of the most
prosperous eras in its career. In every desirable particular there
has been marked improvements. Throughout North-east Mis¬
souri it is recognized as one of the best institutions devoted to the
education of young ladies in this part of the State. The college
and the community are to be congratulated on the success which
has characterized the management of the institution for the past
several years. Personally, Dr. Irwin is a man of many estimable
qualities, pleasant in his address, unassuming, kind and considerate
in all he says and does, and always interesting and entertaining in
conversation. In a word, he is a man of a good head and a better
heart; one who is highly esteemed by all who know him.

LINNEUS C. JENNINGS

(Superintendent of che Gas Works, St. Charles).

Mr. Jennings is of English parentage, though he, himself, was born
and reared in this country. His parents, John J. and Henrietta
{ Avens) Jennings, came to America in 1825 and located at Philadel¬
phia, where they made their permanent home. The father, a florist
by occupation, died at the age of 74. The mother died in 1868.

396

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Linneus C. Jennings was born at Philadelphia, January 20, 1840.
Reared in the city, he received a good public school education, and
later along he learned the machinist’s trade and mechanical engineer-
ing. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the three months’
service early in 1861, and his term expired while he was at Alexan¬
dria, Ya. He then re-enlisted, becoming a member of Cameron’s
Dragoon, Co. B, commanded by Capt. Kerr of the Fifth Pennsylva¬
nia cavalry. In this command he served until the close of the war,
being orderly for Gen. Blenker. He was in the battles of Ft.
Mumford, Fairfax Court-house, Centralia (Ya.), Sharpsburg, those
in the campaign down the Rappahannock, Williamsburg, the siege of
Yorktown and many others. His branch of the cavalry service was
largely engaged in tearing up Confederate railroads to prevent the
rapid transit of the troops of the enemy. After the close of the war
Mr. Jennings returned to Philadelphia and resumed his trade as
machinist. A year later he engaged quite extensively in the manu¬
facture of cotton yarn. This he followed for two years and then sold
out and came to Missouri, locating at St. Charles. Here he was soon
employed as head machinist of the North Missouri Railroad car shops,
a position he held with satisfaction to the company for a period of five
years and until he resigned it to accept the superintendency of the
gas works. The gas company was organized in 1872, and he was
elected by the board of directors suDerintendent of the works. He
has held this position for the last 12 years and has made a popular
and thoroughly efficient officer. August 4, 1865, Mr. Jennings was
married to Miss Jane Moore, a daughter of J. W. Moore of Philadel¬
phia, but of Irish antecedents. Mr. and Mrs. J. have five children:
Fannie, Frank, Hattie, Susie and Alfred. Mr. J. is secretary of the
I. O. O. F., in which order he is vice grand master. He is likewise
collector of the Mutual Aid Association, and is lodge deputy, having
filled all the chairs.

JOHN JAY JOHNS

(Retired Farmer, St. Charles).

Forty years ago this last spring Mr. Johns first entered the borders
of St. Charles county. Since then he has been a continuous resident
of the county. A farmer by occupation, he has followed this pursuit
with little or no interruption until his retirement from the more
severe activities of life. Industrious, economical and a man of
superior intelligence, he of course succeeded in his chosen calling,
though he commenced a poor man. He has not amassed a great
fortune, for the pursuit of wealth has not been his controlling object.
He has endeavored to lead a worthy, useful life as a private citizen.
A renter when he came to the countv, he soon became able to buv land
of his own, and finally he became the owner of one of the choice
farms and comfortable homesteads of the county and city of St.
Charles. Mr. Johns is a native of the Old Dominion, born in Buck¬
ingham county, June 27, 1819. His father, Glover Johns (his wife.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

397

nee Martha Jones, having died in 1828), went to Tennessee in 1831,
and thence two years later to Mississippi, in 1833, and settled in Hines
county, near Jackson, the State capital. The father having died in
1834, J. J. went to live with his sister, Mrs. McCowan, in Memphis,
Tenn. John J. had superior advantages for an education, to com¬
plete which he went to Miami University, at Oxford, O., in 1836,
where he graduated with honor in 1840. The same vear of his grad-
nation he was married to Miss Catherine Woodruff, a daughter of
Joseph Woodruff, of Oxford, O. He then returned to Mississippi,
settled on a farm in that State and was engaged in planting in
Mississippi until his removal to Missouri in 1844. Here, two years
later, his devoted wife died. She left him two children, Louisa, who
is now the wife of William Morgan, of Carroll county, Mo., and Mary,
now the wife of Thomas J. Pearce, of Wentzville, Mo. In 1846 Mr.
Johns bought a piece of land, partly improved, situated three miles
north of St. Charles. This he finally improved into a fine farm of 250
acres, the richest land in Missouri. In 1851 Mr. Johns removed to
the city of St. Charles and bought and improved a beautiful suburban
residence, for the greater convenience of schools for his children.
The only public office he ever held was that of school commissioner,
away back in 1854, and the first school commissioner of the county.
He is an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church of long
standing, and has been an elder in the church for over 40 years. In
the fall of 1847 he was married a second time to Miss Jane A. Durfee,
daughter of Rev. Thomas Durfee and Ann G. Durfee. Her father
was an early settler in Missouri from Massachusetts, and was for a
long time pastor of the Auxvasse Church, in Callaway county. Mrs.
J. was educated at the Monticello Seminary, Godfrey, Ill. They have
reared eight chileren : Mattie, a young lady now in Philadelphia with
her uncle ; Lizzie, who is now the wife of Henry Gauss, of San
Antonio, Tex. ; Fred D., a practicing physician of Leaky, Tex. ;
Arthur C., a lumber merchant of San Antonio, Tex. ; George S., who
is connected with the Post-Dispatch , of St. Louis, and a graduate of
Princeton College, N. J. ; and Shirley Winston. They have lost five
children, three at early ages and Thomas G., a practicing lawyer, who
died in Sedalia in the fall of 1881, and Anna D., who died at the age
of 14, in 1868.

CHARLES M. JOHNSON, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, St. Charles).

One of the early families to settle in this county was that of which
the subject of the present sketch is a representative. Dr. Johnson’s
parents, Charles M. Johnson, Sr., and wife, Harriet D., nee Ficklin,
came to this county from Rappahannock county, Va., nearly 50 years
ago. Mr. Johnson bought the old Daniel Boone place, which, in the
meantime, had descended to the old pioneer’s son, Col. Nathan
Boone, from whom it was purchased. The little old cabin which the
great Indian fighter built when a white man was more of a curiosity

398

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

in Missouri than an Indian is now, is still standing, a historic landmark
of the pioneer days of the country. To the passer-by the crickets
seem to chirp as merrily now as they did in the last century, when
the old fur-clad path-finder of civilization slept lightly within its
walls, ready at the first footfall to grasp his trusted rifle for defense
against the stealthy merciless foe of the forest. Dr. Johnson’s father
resided on the old Boone place for about 30 years, or until 1865,
when he sold it and removed to Illinois. The old gentleman is still
living, and has reached his ninety-third year. He returned to St.
Charles only a few months ago, and is now living here, one of his
daughters being his housekeeper. The most perceptible mark of age
he bears is a slight deafness, but otherwise he is still quite active, in
good health, and with a memory apparently as clear as it was before
the present century was ushered in. Dr. Johnson was a mere boy
when the family came to Missouri. He was born in Virginia, Janu-
ary 28, 1826. In youth he had a course of two years at college in
St. Charles in addition to good common-school instruction previously
received. At the age of 20 he began the study of medicine under
the preceptorship of Dr. John G. Tannor, of St. Charles. His med¬
ical collegiate education was received in Philadelphia at the Univer¬
sity of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated with honor in 1850.

Soon afterwards he located at Warrenton, and a few years later at

• %/

Troy. He returned to St. Charles county in 1861, and located for
the practice at the old family homestead in this county. But about
this time the war broke out and he recruited a company for the
Southern service, of which he was made captain. In the fight at Mt.
Zion, in Boone county, Capt. Johnson, as he was then called, was
taken prisoner and kept in confinement a few months. Being
released on oath not to take up arms again, he resumed the practice
in this county, where he has ever since continued. He has been
located at St. Charles since 1865, and has been very success¬
ful in the practice. On the 6th of February, 1856, he was mar¬
ried to Miss Martha Smith, a daughter of Wright and Sarah
P. Smith, formerly of Fayette county, Va. The Doctor and Mrs.
Johnson have three children: Samuel R., Wright S. and Mary F.
They have lost one, Strother, who died in childhood in 1862.

WILLIAM W. KIRKPATRICK

(President of the First National Bank, St. Charles).

Originally of Scotch descent, the Kirkpatrick family, of which the
subject of the present sketch is a representative, early settled in
South Carolina, among the colonists of that State. From South
Carolina Mr. Kirkpatrick’s father, Wallace Kirkpatrick, became a
pioneer settler of St. Charles county when a young man. He came
here when Missouri was a part of the Territory of Upper Louisiana,
away back in the second decade of the present century, and his only
companions, with a very few exceptions, were mainly Indians and a
few Spanish and fur-trading Frenchmen. He was one of the first

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

399

merchants of St. Charles, but subsequently settled on land near the city
and became a successful and prominent farmer. He was married here
to Miss Jane F. Mudd, a daughter of Mr. Mudd, a pioneer settler
of the county. He died on his homestead, near St. Charles, in 1838.
His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, is still living at an
advanced age, and makes her home with her son, William W., at St.
Charles. William W. Kirkpatrick was the youngest of five children
in the family, two sons and three daughters, all of whom are living.
He was born on the family homestead, near St. Charles, June -11,
1837. His early life was spent on the farm, and his school advant¬
ages were very limited. Afterwards, however, he made up for this
by self-culture. He continued on the farm until 1866, meanwhile
dealing to some extent in stock, and with good success. He then
came to St. Charles and engaged in merchandising, establishing a
grocery store, in which he had a successful experience of about five
years. During this time he also continued in the stock business to a
certain extent and traded in real estate, both of which he has kept up
ever since. In 1872 he was elected county assessor and at the end of
that term of office was appointed deputy county collector, in which
capacity he served for three years. In most of his business interests
Mr. Kirkpatrick has been successful, and from the beginning has
made steady progress to the front as a leading business man and large
property holder of the county. He became a liberal subscriber to
the stock of the Novelty Manufacturing Company, of which he is
vice-president, and he is also a large stockholder in the Tobacco
Company, being a director of the company. The success of the Gas
Company is largely attributable to his enterprise and he has a large
interest in that company. He has long been a stockholder in the
First National Bank, and in 1880 he was elected vice-president of the
bank, a position he held until January of the present year, when he
was elected president of this institution. He and Mr. J. E. Stone-
braker are among the leading land-holders of the county, and they
own jointly over 2,600 acres. The present fall they are seeding
nearly 1,000 acres in wheat alone. In agriculture, as in everything
else, Mr. Kirkpatrick is a man of enterprise and progressive ideas.
He and Mr. Stonebraker are believed to be the only men in the State
who use traction steam engine gang-plows for breaking up their plow
land. By the use of these plows they have found that they greatly
economize both labor and expense, while the plows do better work
than the ordinary horse plows, and are a complete success. Novem¬
ber 29, 1866, Mr. Kirkpatrick was married to Miss Ursula Kestler, a
daughter of John Kestler, of Macon county, Ill. Miss Kestler was
partly educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, in St. Charles,
where Mr. Kirkpatrick first met her. Mr. and Mrs. K. have three
children: Angela D., Mary L. and Frances F. He and wife are
members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. K. is a member of the
Catholic Knights of America, of the local lodge of which he was
president for some two years.

400

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

HENRY LINNEMANN

(Dealer in Hardware and Farm Implements, St. Charles).

Mr. Linnemann’s parents, Carl D. and Kate (Hecker) Linnemann,
came to America from Germany in 1858, and the following year set¬
tled at St. Charles, where his father engaged in mercantile business,
which he continued until 1871, when he retired from all active business
matters. Both parents are still residing at St. Charles. Henry Lin¬
nemann, who was the eldest of his parents’ family of four children,
was 12 years of age when they came to America. He received a good
ordinary education in the schools of St. Louis and St. Charles. He
learned merchandising under his father as he grew up, and has been
engaged in the hardware business most of the time since he was 19
years of age. However, when about 19 years old, having previously
taken a course at commercial college in St. Louis, he graduated in
that city in 1865. He then located at Jefferson City and engaged in
business. In 1867 he returned to St. Louis, but after remaining there
some eight months came back to St. Charles where he has ever since
been engaged in his present line of business. He has built up a large
trade, and his sales now average $20,000 annually. In 1873 Mr. Lin¬
nemann was elected treasurer of St. Charles and held the office for
two years with entire satisfaction to the people. Miss Matilda Hauser
became his wife 14 years ago. She was a daughter of Christian Hauser,
the founder of the Spring brewery, and who died in about 1867. Mr.
and Mrs. Linnemann have five children : Alice, Laura, Hyda, Carl
and Robert. They lost two in infancy. He and wife are members of
the Lutheran Church, and he is also a member of the St. Charles fire
department.

JUDGE THEODORIC F. McDEARMON

(Late Democratic Nominee for Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals, St. Louis

District; Residence, St. Charles).

In September, of the present year, Judge McDearmon was nomi¬
nated by the Democratic party, through the convention held at St.
Louis, for Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals, the district of
which includes the city of St. Louis, and the counties of St. Louis,
St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren and Franklin, but he was defeated by a
small majority, his opponent being Judge Rornbauer. Judge McDear¬
mon is now in his forty-fifth year, and has been continuously in the active
practice of his profession since he was a young man 22 years of age.
H is progress at the bar has been one of steady advancement, and he
has attained the enviable standing he now has as a lawyer only through
solid merit, hard work, sterling native ability and strict integrity.
Judge McDearmon is well fitted for uny position which he might be
called to occupy. In cast of mind he is sober, discriminating,
just and judicial. A man of thought rather than of words, he pos¬
sesses one of those large and liberal minds that deal with everything

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

401

worthy of consideration from the standpoint of fixed and generalprin-
ciples, and that can not in any circumstances be influenced from the
course of right and justice. Clear, logical and penetrating, he exam¬
ines every question that comes under his attention with care and delib¬
eration, and when once he is satisfied as to the correctness of the premises
assumed or the principles involved, his reason is forcible, without
sophistry and convincing, and the result reached is conclusive from the
proposition stated. Few men have more just and logical minds than
he, more deliberate and penetrating, or more impossible to be influ¬
enced by anything aside from the real merits of the questions in issue.
Coming of an old and highly respected family in North-east Mis¬
souri, a family prominently represented in State affairs and in com¬
fortable circumstances, Judge McDearmon had good opportunities
in youth and early manhood for mental culture and to prepare
himself for a successful and honorable future at the bar — oppor¬
tunities which he did not fail to improve to the best advantage. He
received a college education, and afterwards took a thorough course
of preparatory study for the legal profession under Judge W. W. Ed¬
wards, one of the prominent lawyers of the circuit at that time.
Industrious, energetic and of studious habits, favored with a good
constitution and a vigorous, active mind ; ambitious to succeed, of
popular manners and irreproachable character ; gifted with much
natural eloquence, which was improved by culture and afterwards by
practice at the bar, his rise in the legal profession could not have been
a question of doubt from the first. Born and reared in this county,
those among whom he was reared are the witnesses to his steady ad¬
vancement as a lawyer in their midst, and to them his career is not
less gratifying than it is creditable and honorable to him. For years
Judge McDearmon has stood at the head of the bar in his native county
and among the first lawyers of his circuit ; and he has been justly nom¬
inated for a position on the bench of the Court of Appeals, a court
that has won an honorable distinction in the judicial annals of the State
for its dignity, wisdom and incorruptability, and for the high character
of its decisions. Judge McDearmon would have made a worthy and
honorable member of that tribunal, but it is safe to predict that in the
future his career will be not less creditable to himself and to the judiciary
of the State than as a lawyer it has been to himself and to the bar.
Judge McDearmon was a son of Hon. James R. McDearmon, State
Auditor in 1845, and an early settler of St. Charles county, from
Prince Edward county, Va. State Auditor McDearmon was of an old
and well known Virginia family, and was a man of culture. His
general education was received at St. Mary’s College in Virginia, from
which he graduated with distinction. Soon afterwards he was married
to Miss Martha A. Gannaway, a daughter of Edmond Gannaway, of
Buckingham county, Va. In 1831, with his wife and one child, he
removed to Missouri, and purchased land in Femme Osage township,
St. Charles county, where he opened an excellent farm. In a short
time, however, he became quite active and prominent in politics. He
was a man of many excellent qualities as a neighbor and citizen, and

402

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

in every relation of life. He was very popular in the county, and
although he was an uncompromising Democrat, whilst St. Charles
county was largely Whig in politics, he was repeatedly elected to im¬
portant local positions, includingthe office of county judge. After his
appointment as State Auditor by Gov. John C. Edwards he continued
to serve in that office until his death, which occurred in 1848. He and
his excellent wife, who was a lady of education and refinement, reared
a family of eight children, seven of whom were sons. Judge T. F.
McDearmon, the subject of this sketch, was the fifth in his parents*
family of children, and was born at St. Charles, June 14, 1840. His
college education was received at the St. Charles College, from which
he retired when in the senior class for the purpose of entering upon
the study of law. He read law under Judge Edwards for some¬
thing over two vears, and was then admitted to the bar. Prior to
placing himself under the instruction of Judge Edwards, however,
he had studied for some time at home for the legal profession. Ad¬
mitted to practice in 1862 times soon became so unsettled in this part
of the country on account of the war that the practice was virtually
broken up, and he decided to go further West where the effects of the
war were not so disastrous. He accordinglv went to Idaho in 1863.
There his superior qualifications for the practice and his ability as
a lawyer soon became recognized, and he was not long in building
up a good practice. In a short time he was appointed probate
judge of the county, a position he filled with great satisfaction
to he public as long as he remained in the county.

In 1866, the war being over, he returned to his old home at St.
Charles and resumed the practice of his profession in the courts of
this and adjoining counties. Here he was not less successful than he
had been in Idaho. In 1870 he was appointed city attorney, and for
eight years following he continued to hold that office by consecutive
reappointments. He has long held a leading position at the bar, not
only in St. Charles, but in the courts of neighboring counties, includ¬
ing the Court of Appeals, and in the State Supreme Court. There
has scarcely been a case of any importance tried in this county in the
last 10 years in which he has not been interested as attorney on one
side or the other. His practice has been general, including all classes
of cases before the courts, so that he is far better fitted for the posi¬
tion to which he has been nominated than any specialist in the pro¬
fession. Having had a large and varied practice, and having given
the whole of his time for the last 20 years to his profession, it goes
without saying that in view of his success and well known ability, his
qualifications for any office, are of a very high order and are such as to
recommend him to the hearty support of the public. Now in the very
prime of life, and in the meridian of mental activity and physical
vigor, Judge McDearmon has every promise of a bright future in the
judiciary of the State.

October 10, 1876, Judge McDearmon was married to Miss Fannie
H. Fielding, a daughter of Edward Fielding, deceased, an early

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

403

settler and highly respected citizen of St. Charles county. Mrs.
McDear mon’s father was a first cousin to Gen. U. S. Grant. Mr.
Fielding held several local offices in the county. Her grandfather,
Rev. Fielding:, was the first Presbyterian minister to make his home
in this county. Mrs. McD. was educated at Patapsco Female Insti¬
tute, Maryland, from which she was graduated. The Judge and Mrs.
McDearmon have three children : Madge, Theo. and Patti. Judge
McDearmon is a member of the Catholic Knights of America and
of the A. O. U. W.

JOHN K. McDEARMON

(Clerk of the County Court, St. Charles).

For 25 years, and for the last 14 years continuously, Mr. McDear¬
mon, by the vote of the people of St. Charles county, has held the
office he now occupies. This fact is shown to have more than ordinary
significance when it is considered that although he has always been a
Democrat, he has nevertheless been elected in a county which, since
the war, has generally been Republican. His repeated re-elections,
therefore, are highly complimentary to his personal popularity, aside
from his recognized qualifications for the office and his faithfulness
and integrety as a public servant. His father, James R. McDearmon,
was an early settler in this county from Virginia. He became a
prominent citizen of the county and was frequently made the custo¬
dian of important trusts. He served acceptably as county judge, and
such were his prominence and recognized integrity as well as business
qualifications, that in 1845 he was appointed to the office of State Audi¬
tor by Gov. John C. Edwards, an office he held until his death. The
McDearmon family came to America prior to the Revolution. Three
brothers came over under Col. Braddock and were with him at the
time of his unfortunate defeat at Ft. Duquesne, on the 8th of July,
1755, when every officer on the British or American side was killed
except George Washington, afterwards the “ Father of his Country.”
Mr. McDearmon is a lineal descendant of one of these brothers, who
settled in Virginia. John K. McDearmon was born in Prince Edward
county, Va., November 24, 1829. His father removing to St. Charles
county, Mo., when John K. was quite young, the latter was princi¬
pally reared in the county. His father gave him good educational
advantages, for James R. McDearmon was himself a man of culture,
having received a collegiate education (a graduate of Hampden Sid¬
ney College, Virginia), and appreciated at its full value the advan¬
tage of a thorough education. Young McDearmon took a course in
the preparatory schools and then matriculated at the State University.
But his course was broken off there on account of the death of his
father, so that he did not continue until he graduated. After his
father’s death the family returned to St. Charles. In the meantime,
however, John K. had obtained a position as assistant in the county
and circuit clerk’s offices at Jefferson City, under Gen. G. A. Parsons,
and father of Gen. Monroe M. Parsons, who was killed since the Civil

404

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

War in Mexico by Mexican soldiers ; and young McDearmon continued
at Jefferson City two years after the family returned to St. Charles.
In 1850, however, he came back to St. Charles and began the study of
law under Robert H. Parks, Esq. After a due course of study he
was admitted to the bar and thereupon engaged in the practice of his
profession at this place. Meanwhile, his brother, Thomas H. Mc¬
Dearmon, had been elected to the office of county clerk of this county,
but died before entering upon the duties of his office. Thereupon the
people elected John K. for the term for which his brother had been
elected, and which he filled out with such efficiency and so much to
the satisfaction of the public that he was elected for a second term.
Afterwards he was continuously re-elected and he held the office
until 1865, when he was removed by operation of the “ Ousting Ordi¬
nance,” presumably adopted to place the official position under the
State government and the different counties in the hands of loyal men,
but really to secure a general “ divide ” of all the offices among
those who were making a profit, as well as a virtue of loyalty. Mr.
McDearmon was an earnest, consistent, unswerving Union man all
during the war, but had to give way, nevertheless, to influences that
were interested in making it appear that he was disloyal. Though
out of office from 1865 to 1870, he never for a moment lost the confi¬
dence of the people of the county, and in 1870 he was again elected to
the position, largely by Republican votes. He has ever since con¬
tinued to hold the office. A writer in the “ United States Biographical
Dictionary ” says of him : “In all his official relations and as a man
and citizen, Mr. McDearmon stands high in the estimation of all par¬
ties in the county who entertain the earnest hope that he may be left
to serve them many years ; and his robust health preserved by tem¬
perate habits would seem to indicate that their hope is well founded.”
In 1854 he was married to Miss Lucy A. Orrick, a daughter of Capt.
John and Urilla Orrick, old and respected residents of this county,
originally from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. McD. have six children.

HENRY E. MACHENS

(Dealer in Lumber, St. Charles).

Mr. Machens has by industry and good management risen to a posi¬
tion of enviable prominence in the business affairs of St. Charles, a
position he has long and worthily held. He commenced for himself
a young man without capital or other means except his own brawn
and brain, and has made all he is worth by his own exertions and
business intelligence. He has one of the leading lumberyards of the
county, and* sells about 1,500,000 feet of lumber per year. Mr.
Machens is a native of Germany, born in Hanover, in 1829. He was
the third in the family of children of Henry and Catharine Machens.
Henry E. came to the United States at the age of 19 and located in
St. Charles county, when he went to work as a farm hand. In 1849
he be^an teaming at St. Charles, and in 1850 started a bus line to St.
Louis, which he ran with success. In 1854 he engaged in the hotel

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

405

business at St. Charles, and four years later he had control of the
transfer business for the railroad, continuing this up to 1861. He then
enlisted in Co. A, St. Charles Home Guards in which he served for
five months. From this time on, until the close of the war, Mr.
Machens was in the State militia. He served as lieutenant and quarter¬
master. Meanwhile, however, in 1863, he was appointed deputy
sheriff, and he served in that capacity for four years. He was then
elected to the office of sheriff which he continued to hold by subse¬
quent re-elections until 1871. He then engaged in his present busi¬
ness. Mr. Machens aggregate sales amount to over $30,000 a year. In
1854 he was married to Miss Mary Pieper, a daughter of Henry and Ger¬
trude Pieper, formerly of Hanover. They have four children : Hen¬
rietta, Laura, Kate and Agnes. Two are deceased — Missouri, who
died the wife of Frederick Baumer, and Henry, who died at the age
of two years. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Catholic
Church.

PROF. AUGUSTUS F. MACK

(Professor of Emmanuel’s Lutheran School, St. Charles).

Though a native of this country Prof. Mack is of German-American
parentage, and was born soon after his parents left the home of their
nativity in das land von der JSRbelungen Lied. His father, Friederich
Mack, was from Wurtemberg, but his mother, who was a Miss Regina
Baumann before her marriage, was from Bavaria. Thev came to
America in 1849, and settled at first in Cleveland, Ohio. Finally,
however, they made their permanent home at New Haven, Ind. Prof.
Augustus F. Mack was born at Cleveland, Ohio, March 12, 1851. He
was the second in his parents’ family of 15 children, and was prin¬
cipally reared at Cleveland. From the age of 14 up to 1870 he
attended the Lutheran German Teachers’ Seminary, at Addison, Ill.,
where he took a complete normal course, and at the end of his five years’
term he graduated with high honor. After this Prof. Mack taught
for two years at Beardstown, Ill., and then three years at Aurora,
Ill. In 1874 he was installed as principal of the Lutheran school,
at Proviso, Ill., where he taught for four years. At the expiration of
this time he came to St. Charles, where he accepted a call to take
charge of the Emmanuel Lutheran school at this place. Prof. Mack is
a gentleman of thorough education, a teacher ot ample and successful
experience, and a man of unquestionable moral pulchritude and worth.
Thoroughly devoted to his profession, he gives it all his best energies
and takes that extreme pride in the advancement and moral training of
his pupils which every specialist should in the success of his work.
He is popular both in the school-room and among the patrons of the
school, as well as in the community at large, for he is a man whose
purpose is manifest to do right and that which is for the best inter¬
ests to all. In 1872 he was married to Miss Sophie, a daughter of
Caspar Moorman, formerly of Prussia. They have five children :
Sarah, Mary, Louis, Henry and Hannah. He and wife are members
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

406

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

W. HENRY MAERTENS

(Manufacturer of and Dealer in Cigars, St. Charles).

Dietrich Maertens, the father of the subject of this sketch, came
from Sulingen, Hanover, with his family, including Henry, in 1846.
He stopped for about a year at New Orleans and then for about four
years in St. Louis, coming to St. Charles in 1852. He was a cabinet
maker by trade, and followed that principally until his death, which
occurred in 1865. His wife, who was a Miss Elizabeth Wieddey
before her marriage, died in St. Charles in 1858. Henry was in his
seventeenth year when he came over. He commenced working at the
cigar maker’s trade in New Orleans, and afterwards followed it at St.
Louis and St. Charles. Here, however, he started in business for
himself, manufacturing cigars, and has ever since followed it. He now
works several hands and has established an enviable reputation for his
brands of cigars. He was one of the organizers of the St. Charles
Savings Bank, and is a stockholder in the St. Charles Mutual Fire
Insurance Company, of which he was one of the first directors. Mr.
Maertens has served for twenty years as a member of the school
board. He has also served as postmaster at this place. He was ap¬
pointed in 1869 and was afterwards reappointed, but was euchered
out of the office by political skullduggery more successful than right¬
eous. He has also held some other local offices, but has never given
any time to office seeking. August 27, 1863, Mr. Maertens was mar¬
ried to Miss Emma Clauss, a daughter of William Clauss, formerly cf
Wolfenbuettel, Brunswick, Germany, where Mrs. M. was born and
partly reared.

FRANCIS MARTEN

(Grain Dealer, St. Charles).

The name that heads this sketch is another one that has been added
to the large list of German-American citizens of St. Charles county,
who have achieved abundant success in life without any means to start
on and by their own industry and good business management. Mr.
Marten is probably the leading grain dealer of the county, and ships
now about 75,000 bushels per annum. He has accumulated a good
property and is in easy circumstances. Mr. Marten was born in
Prussia, May 28, 1824, and was a son of John H. and Eliza (Kastien)
Marten, both of old Prussian families. Francis was reared in his
native countrv and received a good general education. His father
was a merchant and distiller, and young Marten learned these pursuits.
He also learned the machinist’s trade and of course served in the army
a regular term of two years. He held the position of corporal in the
army, and after his term expired was engaged in mechanical work
until he was 23 years of age. He then came to America and worked
at his trade in St. Louis for about two years. In 1849 he came to St.
Charles, where he built a business house, where he is still engaged in

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

407

business and engaged in merchandising. He continued merchandising
up to 1865, and also bought and shipped grain during this time. He
then closed out his store and bought a half interest in the flouring mills,
and assisted to carry on the mills for about seven years, continuing in
the grain business all the time. Selling out his interest in the mills,
he has ever since that time given his whole time and attention to the
grain business exclusively. In this he has had marked success, as
already stated. May 8, 1848, Mr. Marten was married to Miss Cath¬
erine Weeke. She died in 1851, leaving a son, August, now in San
Jose, Cal. To his present wife Mr. Marten was married over 30 years
ago. She was a Miss Adeline Becker, a daughter of Philip Becker,
and was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, in St. Charles.
They have five children : Edward, now a druggist of St. Louis ;
Matilda, now the Avife of Franklin Becker; Louis and Lena. Mr.
Marten has represented his city ward in the city council several years,
also served one term as school director of the public school, and during
the war was provost marshal of this city, and at the beginning of the
war was appointed captain of the Home Guard.

STEPHEN HENRY MERTEN

(Of S. H. Merten & Co., Proprietors of the Central Mills, St. Charles, Mo.).

Mr. Merten’s parents, Philip and Margaret (Priggemeier) Merten,
were early settlers of St. Charles county. They came here from
Prussia as far back as 1833, and settled three miles west of St.
Charles. There the father bought land and improved a farm; he be¬
came a well-to-do farmer and well respected citizen of the county
and died in St. Charles (as he had moved with S. H. Merten to St.
Charles in 1856), in 1862. Stephen H. was eight years of age when
the family came to America ; he was born December 23, 1825, and
was therefore principally reared in St. Charles county. He grew up
on the farm and continued at home engaged in farming until he was
26 years of age. In the spring of 1852 he was married to Miss
Catherine A. Freize and shortly afterwards he came to St. Charles,
where he was engaged in teaming for about a year. He then rented
the old familv homestead and followed farming until about 1856, when
he returned to St. Charles and resumed teaming. Three years later
he became clerk and salesman in Asa N. Overall’s lumber yard and
continued in that for about five years. In January, 1865, Mr. Merten
began buying, shipping and dealing in wheat, having formed a part¬
nership for that purpose with his present partners, William and J. F.
Hackman. Continuing this business, the following year these gentle¬
men and several others formed a company and bought the old stone
church building, which they repaired and built to and converted into
the present Central Mills. Mr. Merten has ever since been at the
head of this company in running and managing the mills. He has
also continued to buy and ship grain, and altogether has been quite
successful. He was one of the organizers of the Union Savings
Bank and is a prominent stockholder in that institution ; he is also a

408

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

stockholder and director in the car works, and a stockholder in the
tobacco factory and the First National Bank. He has served as city
councilman and as mayor, and is a man of recognized standing and
influence in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Merten have five children :
George H., now farming three miles west of town ; H. F., an enter¬
prising grocer of St. Charles ; Caroline, who is the wife of J. F.
Dinkmeyer, a teacher in St. John’s school ; Mata, a young lady still
at home ; Theodore, and an infant. They have lost five children, all
at tender years. Mr. and Mrs. Merten are members of St. John’s
Evangelical Church. The Central Mills is one of the leading mills of
the county and is supplied with a full and complete plant of the latest
and best machinery, including the patent roller process. It has a
capacity for 200 barrels of flour a day, and its flour has a wide and
enviable reputation in the markets. Mr. Merten is a pleasant, agree¬
able gentleman in personal bearing and is held in high esteem at St.
Charles. He is one of the representative, enterprising, public-
spirited citizens of the place, and does his full share for the growth
and prosperity of the city.

AUGUSTUS A. MEYER

(Merchant Jeweler, St. Charles).

All old residents of St. Charles well remember Mr. Meyer’s father,
Ludwig Meyer, who settled here from Hanover over half a century
ago. He was a jeweler by trade, and also an organ builder — of pipe
organs for churches, etc., on the same order that we now have them.
He carried on the jeweler business mainly, however, and was fairly
successful, always providing well for his family and leaving at his
death a good business and some property. He died in 1874 ; he was
a man much thought of by his neighbors and all who knew him, and
served in the office of alderman. Augustus A., the subject of this
sketch, was about six years of age when the family came over, hav¬
ing been born June 19, 1828. He learned the jeweler’s trade under
his father and attended the schools at St. Charles. Having a great

o c

taste for music and a marked gift in that direction, his talent was
encouraged by his parents and he early became a tine musician, par¬
ticularly an accomplished organist. At the age of 15 he was
employed as organist at the St. Charles Borromeo Church, and he
filled that position continuously for over 15 years. All his life he
has made the study of music a specialty, and understands it thor¬
oughly according to the teachings of the greatest and best masters.
On attaining his majority he became his father’s partner in the
jewelry store, and afterwards a younger brother, Louis E., became a
member of the firm. The latter, however, is now also retired.
Since then Augustus A. has carried on the business alone, or rather
until 1883, when Edward L. became his partner in business. They
have a full line of jewelry, clocks, watches, musical instruments,
etc., and command an excellent trade. May 2, 1854, Mr. Meyer
was married to Miss Lizzie C., a daughter of A. Steinbruegge, for-

7 O Co 7

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

409

merlv of Hanover. Mr. and Mrs. M. have five children : Katie,
Annie, Mary M., Edward L. and Martha. Edward L., the eldest
in the family of children, is his partner in business. Mr. and Mrs.
M. are members of the Catholic Church.

WILLIAM H. MEYER

(Late of W. H. Meyer & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise and Farm Implements,

St. Charles).

The career of Mr. Meyer holds a striking example of success
achieved and enviable standing in business affairs, as well as otherwise,
by industry, ambition and perseverance, from a beginning by no means
favorable. As a leading member of the above named firm, one of the
prominent and remarkable business houses of St. Charles, he held a
position of marked influence in the business affairs of the place and is
looked upon as one of its most respected and worthy business men.
Mr. Meyer, as his name indicates, is of German antecedents, and in¬
deed is a native of Germany. He was born in Hanover, November
10, 1844. When he was a lad about seven years of age his parents
came to this country and located at St. Charles. His father, Matt¬
haus Meyer, died here three years afterwards. His mother, who was
a Miss Mary Schoole, died the first year of Jier arrival here. William
H. made his home after his parents’ death in the family of Mr. Christ
Bloebaum with whom he lived until the winter of 1860-62,
when he enlisted in the Union Army, Co. A, First battalion Missouri
State militia, in which he served for a term of 10 months. He then
shortly enlisted in Co. H,' Second Missouri artillery, and later along
became a member of Co. C, where he served until after the war. He
was not mustered out at the close of the war, but was sent for service
against the Indians in which he took part in a very severe and hazard¬
ous campaign in the North-west. He was in two fights with the
Indians, but the greatest danger he underwent was that of starvation,
the base of supplies being so far away that it was impossible to get
provisions with regularity, so that more than once the troops came
very near perishing of hunger. Late in 1865, however, he was hon¬
orably discharged and at once returned to St. Charles. For a couple
of years he worked at farm labor and, feeling the want of a better edu¬
cation than he had, he employed what means he had to attend school.
Obtaining a fair general knowledge of the ordinary English branches,
he was then offered and accepted a clerkship in a store at Oden, Ill.,
where he learned the practical details of merchandising. In 1870 he
returned to St. Charles and secured a situation here in a store, where
he clerked for about 12 months. Expecting to make merchandising
his permanent occupation he determined to qualify himself thoroughly
for it, and went to St. Louis to attend commercial college where he
took a complete course of instructions. Out of employment and out
of means by this time, he accepted a position temporarily on the'police
force of that city. In a short time, however, he returned to St.
Charles, and he and Mr. Buermann formed a partnership and began

410

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

merchandising in a small way, where business succeeded and with in¬
crease of their trade they steadily increased their stock until their
house became one of the leading business houses of St. Charles. The
firm continued thus until 1879 when John A. Meyer stepped in with
Messrs. Buermann & Meyer, and the style of the firm became as it
now is, W. H. Meyer & Co. On October 1, in 1881, Mr. Buermann
retired. This firm carries a very large stock in their lines and has an
extensive trade ; their sales aggregate perhaps over $40,000 a year.
Mr. Meyer is in comfortable circumstances, and is now just in the
meridian of a successful career. He is of course a man of family.
June 30, 1875, he was married to Miss Lizzie, a daughter of John
Meyer, formerly of Hanover. Mr. and Mrs. M. have three children :
John C., Leta and Hugo. He and wife are members of the
Lutheran Church, and Mr. Meyer is a prominent member of the
order of Odd Fellows.

JOHN A. MEYER

(Of W. H. Meyer & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise and Farm Implements,

St. Charles).

Like his partner, Mr. Meyer, the subject of this sketch, is a self-
made man, having commenced for himself without anything and
accumulated all he has by his own energy and good management. He
was only about six years of age when the family came to America,
having been born in Hanover January 12, 1854. His father was John
Meyer, and his mother’s maiden name Mary Boess. They came over
and settled in St. Charles in 1860. Earlv in the following vear his
father enlisted in the LTiion armv, and served until he was discharged
for disability in 1864. He died two years later. Principally reared
in St. Charles, John A. had the benefit of instruction in the public
schools of this place, and he also attended night school. However,
when 14 years of age he entered a printing office to learn t}rpe setting,
at which he worked for about four years. After this he engaged in
farming in the country, which he carried on until 1877. Making now
a prospecting tour through Iowa and Minnesota, which lasted about
four months, he then returned to St. Charles and became clerk for
Buermann & Meyer, and afterwards succeeded Mr. Buermann as a
member of the firm which took its present name of W. H. Meyer &
Co. Mr. Mej^er is a man of good business habits and thorough busi¬
ness qualifications. By his energy and enterprise he has added very
materially to the success of the firm. October 22, 1879, he was
married to Miss Julia A., a daughter of Frank Hackman, a live stock
dealer of St. Charles. Mr. and Mrs. M. have three children : Edward
F., Julius F. and Otto C. Mrs. M. is a member of the Evangelical
Church and Mr. M. of the Lutheran Church.

JOHN N. MITTELBERGER

(Of J. N. Mittelberger & Co., Dealers in Dry Goods, Boots and Shoes, Furnishing

Goods, Etc., St. Charles).

No complete or just sketch of the business growth of St. Charles,
covering the period of the last twenty or twenty-five years, could be

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

411

given without bearing witness to the activity and enterprise shown by
the subject of the present sketch and his father, John C. Mittelberger,
in the business affairs of this place. Throughout all, or nearly all, of
this period one or both of them have occupied prominent positions in
developing the trade of St. Charles and in movements calculated to
advance its material and general interests. There has perhaps not
been an enterprise calculated to benefit the place in the last twenty
years in which one or both of them have not taken an active interest
and leading part. Abundantly successful as business men themselves,
the whole community as a business and trade-center has felt the bene¬
ficial and stimulating influence of their success and enterprise. The
Mittelberger family came to St. Charles county from Virginia over
half a century ago. John C. Mittelberger, the father, was born in
Virginia and came to this county with his parents while he was still a
youth. Here he subsequently married Miss Lucinda Mallerson and
settled on a farm in the county, where he continued to reside, suc¬
cessfully engaged in farming, until 1860. He then removed to the
town of St. Charles and formed a partnership with Christopher Weeke
in the milling business. They built the Northern mills, which they
ran as partners for four years. Mr. Mittelberger then retired from
the firm and subsequently established the business of which his son,
John N., the subject of this sketch, is now at the head?* Indeed, John
N. was his father’s partner in the establishment of the present busi¬
ness, the style of the firm then being J. C. Mittelberger & Son. The
store was carried on thus until January, 1881, when their house and
stock were burned, on account of which the partnership was dissolved.
The father then retired from merchandising, but not from all other
business. Having had a successful business career, he had of course
accumulated some means, which he had invested in various interests.
He was a large stockholder in the St. Charles Car Works, of the board
of directors of which he was also a member. He was largely instru¬
mental in establishing the car works at this place, being one of the
first to suggest the enterprise and one of the most active and energetic
in carrying it forward to a successful issue. He was also a large
stockholder in the Union Savings Bank, and had valuable real estate
interests at this place, all of which required his attention and good
management. In 1872 he was elected mayor of St. Charles, an office
he filled with ability and to the satisfaction of the public for two years.
He died here January 1, 1882, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, pro¬
foundly mourned by the entire community, for he was a man who was
much esteemed personally, and whose life had been of great value to
St. Charles. He and his son built the opera house at this place, a
handsome structure that did great credit to the city. He was also
identified with various enterprises, public and private, conducive to
the growth and best interests of St. Charles. He was one of that
class of men, enterprising, public-spirited and liberal, that always
build up the place in which they live, and give it whatever prominence
it obtains in business affairs and otherwise. John N. Mittelberger was
born on his father’s farm, February 7, 1845. He was about 15 years

412

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUXTY.

of age when the family came to the city, and the only son in the
family. His father gave him good school advantages, giving him the
benefit of a course at the St. Louis University and also a course at
commercial college. From early manhood he took an active part with
his father in business and in the various enterprises in which the latter
was engaged. From the very beginning Mr. Mittelberger, Jr., had
charge and the management of the store. After the fire of 1881 he
rebuilt and organized the present firm, composed of himself, J. L.
Patterson and F. W. Holke. This firm has continued in business ever
since that time and is one of the leading houses, outside of a large
city, in North-east Missouri. All are thoroughly experienced, pro¬
gressive business men, with established reputations for fair dealing,
and always courteous and accommodating to the public. Personally
popular as men and as citizens of the county, their house is liberally
patronized, for they always keep on hand a large stock of the best
classes of goods in their lines, which are sold at figures marked down
to the lowest point that good business management allows. They of
course do not give their goods away, for they expect to do business a
long time still at St. Charles, and carry no goods bought either at
fraudulent bankrupt sales, stolen, or bought on a credit never to be
met and paid. They buy their goods at responsible houses and at
honest, fair prices, and make a rule of selling them in the same fair,
honest way. Thus they have won public confidence and thus their
large trade has been built up. August 17, 1870, Mr. Mittelberger
was married to Miss Mary A., a daughter of John Boyse, deceased,
late of St. Charles. Mrs. M. is a ladv of marked intelligence and
culture, and was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart.
There are six children: J. Austin, Agnes C., Mary E., Anna R.,
Angeline K. and Hattie E. Mr. and Mrs. Mittelberger are members
of the English Catholic Church. Mr. Mittelberger is prominently
identified with various business interests at St. Charles. He is a
member of the board of directors of the Union Savings Bank, and
also a director of the St. Charles tobacco factory. He is a prominent
member of the Merchants’ Exchange, and is now serving his second
term as a member of the city council.

WILLIAM MOENTMANN

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Charles).

Germany is the country of Mr. Moentmann’s nativity, and he came
from there to America when two years of age with his parents, in 1840.
Thev settled in St. Charles countv and lived here until their deaths.

•j %/

His father was Rudolph Moentmann and his mother’s maiden name
was Margaret Dras. Both were members of the German Lutheran
Church. The mother died, however, before coming to this country,
and the father was afterwards married twice. He died in 1878. Will¬
iam Moentmann was the vounger of two children bv his father’s first
marriage, and was reared in this county. On the 15th of March, 1865,
he was married to Miss Henrietta Moellenbrock, formerly of Germany.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

413

Before his marriage Mr. Moentmann had engaged in farming for him-
self in this county and he afterwards continued it. He now has 150
acres of good land, one of the comfortable farms of the county. Mr.
and Mrs. Moentmann have nine children, live of whom are living,
namely : Amelia, Louis, Mena, Martha and Louisa. He and wife are
members of the German Lutheran Church.

JAMES A. MOORE

(Market Gardener, St. Charles).

For the last 27 years Mr. Moore has been engaged in market gar¬
dening for the trade of St. Charles, and he also ships his products
occasionally to other markets. He has 15 acres of good land devoted
exclusively to raising market products in the line of garden farming,
and he has had satisfactory success in this branch of horticulture.
He is a native of England, born in Yorkshire, February 18, 1819.
When he was about 10 years of age his parents came to America with
their family of children and located in Canada. In 1840 they crossed
over, into the States and settled permanently in Hancock county,
Ill. The father, a farmer by occupation, died there in February,
1859. The mother died September 22, 1879. They reared six chil¬
dren, three of whom were sons, and of the family of children, James
A. was the second ; he was 20 years of age when the family located
in Hancock county. In 1852 he went to California ; he had been pre¬
viously married to Eliza Jane Long, of Dayton, Ohio, and she died while
crossing the plains, with the cholera, and left one child, a little boy, 12
months old. Mr. Moore took him through to California, and upon start¬
ing to return home in the spring of 1855, took passage on the steamship
Yankee Blade, which was wrecked about 24 hours after starting ; she
had over 1,100 passengers on board, of whom about 300 were lost.
Mr. Moore lost his little boy and was picked up himself insensible by
a lady on the beach, where the breakers had washed him; he lost
everything he had, not having even a coat and hat left. After remain¬
ing on the beach three days, he was taken off by the steamer Goliah,
that ran between San Francisco and Los Angeles, in nearly a famishing
condition ; he was taken back to San Francisco, staved there about
one week and went again to the mines, where he soon began to do
well, but having become discouraged, in six weeks he once more
started home and in due time, without anv serious accident,
reached Hancock county, where he resided until 1857. On the 28th
of June, that year, he was married to Miss Arianah, daughter of
Frederick and Mary (Little) Lorine, of Hancock county, where she
was reared, being educated in the schools of Carthage, Ill. Mrs.
Moore is a lady of superior intelligence and marked strength of char¬
acter and business aptitude and energy. She is in fact more
enterprising and a better manager of business affairs than the
general average of men. To her industry and business acumen is
argely due the success which she and her husband have had in their
present business, to which also Mr. M. has contributed the full share

414

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

of a go-ahead man, a capable and energetic manager. They came to
St. Charles in 1857, and have been in their present business ever
since. They have a family of four children: Maria L. Mary E.,
John and George. He and family are members of the Trinity Epis¬
copal Church.

JAMES K. MUDD, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, St. Charles).

The family of the above name, and of which Dr. Mudd is a repre¬
sentative, has long been well and prominently known in North-east
Missouri, particularly in the medical profession. The family came
originally from England, and settled in Maryland among the first
colonists of that grant. The founder of the family in this country
came over with Lord Baltimore. From there it has become dispersed
over different States, particularly the South and West. Dr. M.’s
father, James H. Mudd, was a native of Kentucky, his father in turn
having immigrated to the Blue Grass State from Maryland. The Doc¬
tor’s mother was a Miss Elizabeth Janes before her marriage, also a Ken¬
tuckian by nativity. The family came to Missouri in 1849, and settled
in Lincoln county, where the father followed farming for many years.
In 1869 he removed to Montgomery county, where he is still living
at the advanced age of 85 years, and makes his home with his son,
Samuel Mudd. The old gentleman, although a patriarch in years as
well as appearance, is still quite vigorous, and in mind and conversa¬
tion betrays but little the great weight of years he bears. His mem¬
ory is still clear, and to hear him speak of the every-day affairs of life at a
time when Kentucky was still a wilderness and Missouri was considered
the far West, almost sounds like a voice from the grave of the distant
past, bringing up circumstances and events that seem to have been
long buried. Dr. Mudd was in childhood when his parents came to
Missouri, having been born in Kentucky, Washington countv, August
10, 1844. He was therefore reared in Lincoln county, this State.
Dr. Mudd was brought up to a farm life, but early displayed a
preference for the medical profession. While yet a youth he decided
to make a physician of himself, and accordingly subordinated every
other consideration to the attainment of that object. At the age of
18, having already received a common school education, he entered
college at St. Charles, in order to take a course in more advanced
studies. He had previously taught school for a year, and appreciating
fully the advantage of a good education, he studied with more than
ordinary zeal and assiduity at college. After a general college course
of three years he began the study of medicine, and as a means of
defraying his expenses while prosecuting his medical studies he taught
school about five years in all. His preceptor in medicine was Dr.
Samuel Overall, a leading physician of St. Charles county. In 1870
he entered the St. Louis Medical College, and graduated from that
institution in the spring of 1872. Dr. Mudd then began the practice
at Boschertown, on the Marais Croche lake in this county, about three

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

415

miles north of St. Charles. Having good success in building up a
practice which soon extended itself to St. Charles and vicinity, he
removed to this place about six years ago, where he has ever since
continued to practice. Dr. Mudd occupies a position of one of the
leading physicians of the place, and is highly respected as a citizen.
October 10, 1875, he was married to Miss Mary C., a daughter of
John Boschert, of Boschertown. Mrs. Mudd was educated at St.
Charles. The Doctor and Mrs. M have three children: Eugene J.,
Leo C. and Arthur D. They have lost two, Augustus and Claudine.
In 1876 Dr. Mudd was elected coroner of the county and he has ever
since continued to occupy that position by re-elections. He is also
physician and superintendent of St. Charles county asylum for the
poor, by employment of the county court.

FRANCIS OBERKOETTER

(Dealer in Boots and Shoes, St. Charles).

For 42 years Mr. Oberkoetter has been a resident of St. Charles,
and for the last 32 years continuously he has been engaged in his pres¬
ent line of business at his present stand. He commenced for himself a
poor boy at the shoemaker’s bench, and worked his way up from the
last to the present enviable position he occupies as a business man,
citizen, and substantial property holder, a position he has long and
worthily held. Mr. Oberkoetter was born in Hanover, April 19, 1819,
and was a son of Frederick and Mary (Stoelmeyer) Oberkoetter, both
of old Hanovarian families. He grew up in Hanover and learned the
shoemaker’s trade, at which he worked in that country until 1842,
when he came to the land of the free and the home of the brave and lo¬
cated at St. Charles. Here he resumed his trade and worked at journey
work until 1845, when he began for himself in a small way. Close
attention to business, fair dealing and industry prospered him from
the beginning, and step by step he has progressed on a successful busi¬
ness career until he is now one of the substantial property holders and
prominent business men of St. Charles. In 1849 he bought a busi¬
ness house, where he carried on a store until 1852, when he bought
the building he now occupies, where he has ever since continued it.
In 1867 he built one of the best business houses in St. Charles, a large
handsome structure, with two sales rooms on the ground floor and
offices above. This building he still owns, and he also has several
valuable residence properties in town built for renting. He was one
of the first stockholders in the car works, and helped to organize the
fire insurance company, of which he was the first president, a position
he held for seven years. He is also a large stockholder in the gas
company and in the Union Savings Bank. He has held the office of
councilman for several terms, but has made no object of the pursuit of
office. In 1846 Mr. Oberkoetter was married to Miss Julia Yeager,
formerly of Hanover. His wife died early in 1881, and Mr. Ober¬
koetter himself is quite feeble, having received a stroke of paralysis a
short time ago, but he still superintends his business, and is a

416

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

man of great vitality and energy. He and his good wife reared two
children : Mary, now the widow of Daniel Reinschmidt ; Anna, a
young lad}' who is still at home ; and Valentine, now 18 years of age.
Their other children died at tender ages. The family are Catholics in

religious faith.

CAPT. JOHN ORRICK

[Contributed].

The following is the report of the committee appointed by Palestine
Lodge No. 241, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, to prepare a
minute concerning the death of Capt. John Orrick. The report was
prepared by Jos. H. Alexander, YV. M. of the lodge and chairman of
the committee, and adopted by the lodge at a meeting held on the 19th
day of August, 1879 : —

John Orrick, the eig-hth of 12 children of Nicholas Orrick and Mary
Pendleton, was born in Berkeley county, Va., January 5, 1805, and
died in St. Charles, Mo., July 4, 1879, reaching an age of just 74
years and 6 months.

His early years were spent on a farm ; in 1818 he became a mer¬
chant’s apprentice in Reading, Pa., where he remained nine years ; in
1827 he removed to Lancaster, Pa., where he remained three years,
afterwards engaging in business at Pottsfield, Pa.

September 22, 1833, he married Urilla Stonebraker, of Washing¬
ton county, Md., immediately coming West and settling at St. Charles,
where he has resided ever since.

His business was merchandising, and in conjunction with his
brother, Benjamin, who still survives, he soon established an extensive
and profitable trade ; but meeting with heavy losses in the fur trade
and otherwise, the firm suspended, coming through the trying ordeal,
however, with credit and honor.

Soon afterwards he filled the office of justice of the peace at St.
Charles ; from 1840 to 1844 he was sheriff of St. Charles county ; in
1844 he represented the county in the Lower House of the Missouri
Legislature. He, for about two years, resided on the farm now owned
and occupied by E. C. Cunningham, Esq., after which he engaged in
steamboating, being in command of the steamer Fayaway, plying
between St. Louis and St. Charles.

In 1851 he took the United States census for St. Charles county,
soon after which he engaged in the grain business with Judge Yosti.
The firm of Yosti & Orrick continued in business about six years,
Judge Yosti then withdrawing. The business was continued by Orrick
& Barklage till Mr. Barklage’s death in 1861, after which it was con-
tinued bv Orrick & Stonebraker for about six years, when Mr. Orrick
finally ceased from active business, spending the last 10 or 12 years of
his life free from business cares.

This verv brief statement shows that Mr. Orrick was actuallv en-
gaged in business, from first to last, for about 49 years. In all this
extended career he was scrupulous in all his dealings and transactions,
and showed energy, perseverance, industry and faithfulness in the dis-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

417

charge of duty and the fulfillment of obligation, coming through all
these years and ending his business career without a stain upon his
honor or reproach upon his character.

What an amount of labor and toil is represented by a human life
extending across three-quarters of a century ! What an amount of
energy and industry, especially in a life of unceasing activity, such as
was Mr. Orrick’s ! What an amount of character must have been
developed by a business career of 50 years. And yet, the truth is,
that his life was much more than all that has been mentioned.

He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and his zeal in that
relation is shown by the fact that in 1836, when he had been in St.
Charles but a short time, a church of that denomination had been
organized here, and he became one of its first vestrvmen, and so con-
tinued ever afterwards. He maintained his connection with that
church to the day of his death, a period of 43 years, and served it
with his best and most unselfish service, and gave to it freely of his
time, means and his heart’s best affections.

He was for many years captain of the St. Charles First Troop, a
military company organized and maintained here for many years, and
served its interests faithfully and well, giving it much of his care and
attention and accustomed energy.

He was for some time a director of the North Missouri Railroad Com¬
pany, and gave diligence to the discharge of his high and responsible
duties in that connection.

And last, but not least in his estimation, he gave many of his
thoughts and much of his time to the ancient and honorable frater¬
nity of Free Masons — “ ancient, as having existed from time imme¬
morial, and honorable, as tending so to make every one who will be
conformable to its precepts.” His devotion to this order is shown
in his early connection with it, his steadfast adherence to it and his
faithful service of it.

The writer has now lying before him Brother Orrick’s “ mark ” as
a Royal Arch Mason. It reads: “John Orrick, Schuylkill Mark
Lodge, No. 138, June 30th, A. L. 5826,” and has on it a representa¬
tion of a ship in full sail surrounded by the Royal Arch letters “ H.
T. W. S. S. T. K. S.” Brother Orrick attained the age of 21 years on
the 5th day of January, 1826. The date given on the “ mark ” shows
that within less than six months after becoming of age he had not
only taken the three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, but had also
attained the degree of Mark Master.

When he came to St. Charles in 1833, there was no lodge working
here ; but in 1837 he and others petitioned for authority to open a
lodge, which was given, and Brother Orrick was appointed first Jun¬
ior Warden of the newjlodge, which was called Hiram No. 23. In
1838 and 1839 he was its Senior Warden, and in 1840 became its
Master. In 1841 he occupied no position but the honorary one of
Past Master, which he had well earned ; but in 1842, called again
into active service, he became J. D. for two years and S. D. for one
year. Hiram Lodge No. 23 ceased work about 1845, but another,

418

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

called Hiram No. 118, was established in 1849 ; and in the first return
made by the new lodge, Brother Orrick’s name is enrolled as a Past
Master. He continued a member of this lodge until its dissolution in
1861. After the organization of Palestine Lodge No. 241, in 1865,
he became a member of it, and so continued until his death.

The records of these several lodges and the Grand Lodge of Mis¬
souri bear testimony to his zeal for the fraternity and his faithful¬
ness as a craftsman. Diligently and faithfully he served the
brotherhood in his early manhood, in his riper years and in old age.
He met the brethren of this lodge as often as his increasing infirmi¬
ties would permit, and his connection with the fraternity was never
severed till the bowl was broken at the fountain and the wheel broken
at the cistern.

Thus briefly recapitulating the best known events of his life, we
would record our appreciation of him as a man and a Mason — as a
man, filling up the measure of his days with usefulness, faithful in
things, diligently discharging his duties in all the relations of life ;
as a Mason, earnest and zealous for 53 years, never forgetting his
high and solemn responsibilities, furnishing only true work and
square work for inspection, honoring his brethren and honored by
them. If he had faults let us forget them and bury them forever.
He had many virtues ; let us imitate them. And now that he has
gone — the very oldest among us at the time of his death — let us
cherish his memory while life shall last, remembering that we, too,
young and old, must soon follow him into the unseen world.

DR. SAMUEL OVERALL.

. [Contributed].

The following is the report of the committee appointed by Palestine
Lodge No. 241, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, to prepare a
minute concerning the death of Dr. Samuel Overall. The report was
prepared by Joseph H. Alexander, W. M. of the Lodge and chairman
of the committee, and adopted by the lodge at a meeting held on the
19th of August, 1879 : —

The names of Overall and Griffith have been familiar to the records
and identified with the history of St. Charles county for three-quarters
of a century, ever since American immigrants began to find their way
into the Territory of Louisiana. The Overalls and Griffiths emigrated
from Nashville, Tenn., and settled in St. Charles in 1809, shortly
after which Maj. Wilson L. Overall and Mary Griffith were united in
marriage.

Dr. Samuel Overall was the fourth son of this marriage, and was
born December 10, 1821, resided in the county of St. Charles all his
life, and died August 3, 1879. His early years were spent upon a
farm ; he attended such country schools as those early years aflorded,
going one vear to St. Charles College. Coming to manhood’s vears
and choosing for his life-work the profession of medicine he entered
upon its study, and in due time was graduated at the Ohio Medical

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

419

College in 1846. His diploma is dated on the 4th of March in that
year.

Immediately upon his graduation he returned to St. Charles and
commenced the practice of his profession, in which he achieved more
than ordinary success.

In 1851, October 8th, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A.
Robinson — she and four children survive to mourn the loss of a kind
husband and father.

His chief attention was given to the practice of his profession —
that was his life-work, and he never relinquished it ; but in the midst
of his absorbing duties and unceasing labors as a physician he found
time for other things. In 1854 he served one term as mayor of the
city of St. Charles, and did his work well. From time to time he
gave his attention to various matters as a citizen — he was alive to all
matter affecting the public good.

He was for many years a member of the Methodist Church, and gave
freely of his talents, his means and his time to the advancement of
the interests of that church and of pure religion generally in this
community.

In 1849 he became a Free Mason, completing the three degrees of
Ancient Craft Masonry on the 4th day of August, 1849, precisely 30
years before the day on which his body was consigned to the grave by
his brethren of the M}^stic Tie.

In both these relations — as a member of the visible church, and as
a Mason — he served long and faithfully, obtaining official position
and doing diligent service in both church and lodge, and discharging
with conscientious fidelity every duty required of him by his brethren.

He was a Christian — none who knew him ever doubted the fact.
He did not so much speak religion as live it, though if occasion re¬
quired he could defend it by word as well as show forth its excellency
and power by a godly walk and conversation.

The writer of this notice has been with him in religious meetings
and been struck with the evident sincerity and child-like simplicity of
his prayers as he pleaded with God for mercy on those who were
perishing.

I have also been with him in Masonic convocations, and remarked
his honesty of purpose, his sound sense, his superior judgment
and his readiness to forget self where the welfare of others was con¬
cerned.

I remember well — indeed, while memory continues I can never
forget — the last time the lodge had the privilege of seeing Dr. Over¬
all within its doors. He was suffering with disease, and a very little
exertion wearied him. Unknown to the Master, he had been notified
to attend a meeting of the lodge. Weak in body and suffering at
every step he slowly and painfully ascended the two flights of stairs
leading to the lodge-room. At the proper time he asked why he was
wanted. He was told that he had been notified without the knowledge
of the Master, and that the Master, knowing the state of his health,
would not have had him called, but that as he had come all the

420

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

brethren were glad to see him and welcome him once more among
them. He then remarked : “It was hard work for me to come, and
I was about exhausted and nearly out of breath when I reached the
top of the stairs, but I had been notified that I was wanted and I sap-
posed the lodge was in distress and wanted help , and 1 thought it my
duty to come .” The world would be better and happier far than it is
if there were in it more examples of such self-sacrificing devotion to
duty. It was a little thing it is true, but it showed the principle that
actuated the man — a principle that ruled his life.

But it was as a physician that he was best known by the largest num¬
ber, and as such that his character shown with a peculiar luster. He
was in many and many a family in this community “ the beloved phy¬
sician,” visiting them in their sicknesses, taking upon himself, as it
were, their weaknesses, suffering with them in their afflictions, admin¬
istering healing remedies to their bodies, refreshing their spirits and
comforting and consoling their weary souls. Though oftentimes
wearied in body and overburdened with the exacting cares of his pro¬
fession he was always ready with a word of cheer for the despond¬
ing — his very presence seemed to dispel the gloom of the sick
chamber and infuse new life into the wasting body and new hope in the

despairing soul.

He sympathized with suffering always and everywhere ; and I have
heard him say that perhaps it would have been better for him if he
could have been less sympathetic, for it often happened that his
anxiety for his patients fairly consumed him.

He was my family physician for 24 years, and he was, in my judg¬
ment, an excellent physician for children ; and yet I have heard him
remark that he dreaded to undertake the treatment of their cases,
because they could not inform him of their ailments, and it was more
difficult to diagnose their cases and prescribe for them, and it troubled
him exceedingly, and often filled him with anguish of spirit to see the
little things suffer and yet he be powerless to relieve them.

I know of no word that more exactly expresses my idea of Dr.
Overall than the word sunny — he seemed to bring the cheerfulness of
sunshine with him. When one is sick it is a time of clouds and gloom
with him, and Dr. Overall seemed to have the happy faculty of scat¬
tering the clouds and dispelling the gloom. His patients have been
known to lie on their beds of sickness, weary and helpless, while the
hours seemed to draw their slow length along, waiting and watching
for the time when the Doctor would come again, so that they might
hear him talk and that they might feel the magnetism of his presence ;
and many and many are the times when his cheerful voice, his kind
salutation and his hopeful conversation have done as much as his
skillfully-administered medicines to restore the sick and dying to
health and life.

And this was the feeling and fact with all. It mattered not whether
he was entering the mansion or the hut — whether he made his arrival

known by the costly knocker on the richly grained door or by a rap
with the knuckles on a door innocent of plane or smoothness — whether

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

421

he came to see the rich, on rich beds, in richly furnished rooms,
or those lying on straw pallets in the abodes of poverty ; everywhere
it was the same — the same heartfelt sympathy, the same kindly
greeting, the same cheerful smile. He entwined himself in the love
of those to whom and among whom he ministered to a very remark¬
able degree ; and this was demonstrated on the day we buried him.
The spacious rooms were filled with sorrowing and sympathizing
friends, while many more on the grounds could not gain admittance
into the house at all. The large assemblage had come to weep with
those who wept, and to look upon the features of him who had been
their true friend in sickness and in health and in all the changing
scenes of life, and dropped the tear of sincere affection as they gazed
upon his countenance now still and cold in death. Not only the
children and mothers of the households where he had so often visited
as friend and physician, but strong men, unused it may be to tears,
had the fountain of emotion 'broken up, and their frames shook and
their tears flowed as they stood by the bier of him who had so long
been their strong reliance and support in the days when affliction had
come to them and theirs.

As a husband, as a father, as a man, as a citizen, as a friend, as a
neighbor, as a civil officer, as a Mason, as a physician, as a Christian —
in all the relations sustained to others in the course of a long and
useful life — he was true , diligent and faithful in the discharge of
duty and in meeting the full measure of his obligations. He was
aware of the nature of the malady that was threatening him, and for
the last 10 years of his life lived from day to day as not knowing at
what hour he might be called away. His lamp was kept trimmed and
burning, and when at last, in the still watches of the night, the mes¬
senger came and almost literally snatched him away, he closed a useful
life by a peaceful death.

How impressive the remark made by Mrs. Overall: “ Oh, how we
miss him ! We thought we would be prepared for his departure when
it should come, for we had long warning of it ; but now that it has
come, how we do miss him ! ” Ah, yes, and how truthfully that
remark can be made, in greater or less degree, by all who knew him !
We do indeed miss him, and shall miss him for many a day to come.
Till I stood beside him as he lay there so peacefully in his coffin, I did
not know how great was our loss, nor had I realized how greatly I
loved him. I have, indeed, lost a friend, and with tearful eyes and
out of a full heart, I have penned these lines to testify in some meas¬
ure my appreciation of his character and my love and affection for
him as a man, a friend and a brother. It was no mean honor to have
the esteem and confidence of such a man.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed
are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the
spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow
them.”

422

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

CAPT. AUSTIN OWEN

(Proprietor of the St. Charles Ferry).

The name that heads this sketch is not an unfamiliar one to old citizens
of St. Charles county and among river men of old times, on nearly all
the Western rivers. Capt. Owen has been engaged in steamboating in
one capacity or another for nearly 40 years, and has had a varied ex¬
perience. He was born in New York City, September 9, 1826, and
is the son of John and Jemima Lear Owen. His father was a manu¬
facturer of stoves and grates in that city, and when the son was a
mere lad, moved to Louisville, Ky., where he carried on a foundry, in
which industry young Owen received practical instruction. The hither
died in 1849, but Capt. Owen’s mother is still living, being a resident
of St. Louis, which has been her home since 1845. At the age of 22
the subject of this notice began life on the river. He followed steam¬
boating as an engineer on the Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri and
other rivers, during which time he met with many narrow escapes,
several of the boats on which he was employed, having been accidently
burned or sunk. He was also one of the few who went down with the
excursion train in the Gasconade bridge disaster, in 1856, that escaped
without serious injury. In 1862, he removed to Brotherton, St. Louis
county, to take employment with the St. Charles Ferry Company, and
had charge of the North Missouri Railroad transfer boat at that point
for several years. In 1876 he purchased an interest in the St. Charles
ferry, and in 1880 he became sole owner in it. His house and grounds
at Brotherton were swept away by the encroachment of the Missouri
river in the spring of 1881, and since that time he has resided in the
city of St. Charles. He still owns the ferry at St. Charles, which
makes its regular trips every day in the year, when the river is not
blockaded with ice. In 1856 he was married to Miss Adaline Couzins,
daughter of Maj. J. E. D. Couzins, in St. Louis, aud a sister of Miss
Phoebe Couzins, well known all over the country as one of the
brightest and most brilliant of American ladies. Capt. Owen’s wife
died in 1870. Four of their children are living: George W., nowin
St. Louis ; John C., also in St. Louis ; Addie C. and Austin, who re¬
side with their father. Capt. Owen is one of the most substantial cit¬
izens of St. Charles. He is genial, clever and popular with all classes.
His residence is on Clark and Fifth streets.

JOSEPHUS L. PATTERSON

(Of Mittelberger & Co., Dealers in Dry Goods, Boots & Shoes, Furnishing Goods, Car¬
pets, Etc., St. Charles).

Mr. Patterson of the above named firm is a native of Missouri, born
in St. Louis county, September 14, 1842. His father was John Pat¬
terson also born and reared in St. Louis county, and his grandfather,
Elisha Patterson, was one of the early settlers of that county from
North Carolina. The subject of this sketch being reared in St.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

423

Louis county, enlisted there in 1862, in the Southern service, becoming
a member of the 9th Missouri infantry in which he served until the close
of the war. While in service he participated in the following battles,
Milliken’ Bend, Pleasant Hill, Jenkin’s Ferry and numerous less
engagements ; in both of the first named battles he was wounded but
not permanently injured. After joining the army and prior to leav¬
ing St. Louis county he was taken prisoner and was held for about
three months when he was exchanged and resumed his place in the
Southern ranks. After the war he returned to St. Louis county, but
in the spring of 1866 went to Montana where he contiuued to make his
home for about 14 years. He was in the mines about five years of
his time, and then for some six years was engaged in freighting — the
balance of the time he followed ranching. Mr. Patterson was quite
successful in his affairs in Montana and made considerable money but
as times were flush out there and the people generally by no means
economical, they usually spent their money as liberally as they made
it, and Mr. Patterson was no exception to this rule, though he saved
up some means. After returning from Montana he located at St.
Charles and became a member of the present firm. They carry a
large and complete stock in their line and are doing a good business.
June 2, 1880, Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Elizabeth, a daugh¬
ter of John C. Mittelberger, mentioned elsewhere. They have
two children : Howard P. and Pansy N. : one, besides, Frederick,
the oldest, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of the
M. E. Church South.

AUGUST PAULE

(Florist, St. Charles).

The love of music and flowers, and in fact everything that appeals to
the finer sensibilities of the heart and mind, is one of the most marked
characteristics of the Teutonic and Gallic races. Wherever the Ger¬
mans settle music and flowers, and all that is pleasing to the ear and
eye, flourish; and hardly less so where the French settle. St. Charles
is largely peopled by Germans, and it is therefore not surprising that
a taste and demand prevails for flowers and floral decorations on all
public occasions. Recognizing this want, Mr. Paule, very intelli¬
gently, came to the conclusion that a good flower garden could not
fail to be a profitable investment. In 1879, therefore, he engaged in
the florist business and has since continued to carrv it on with excel-
lent success. He has about two acres devoted to the business, which
he has finely improved. He has every variety of indigenous and
exotic plants, flowers, shrubs, etc. Mr. Paule makes a specialty of
floral ornamentations and decorations of halls, churches, etc., for all
public occasions, and has acquired a wide and enviable reputation for
his skill and good taste in works of this kind. In 1884 he was elected
a member of the city council, having previously held the office by
former election. Mr. Paule was born and reared in St. Charles city ;
he was the fifth, in a family of nine children, of John and Caroline

424

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

(Mangold) Paule, formerly of Alsace. His father was a tailor by
trade, and the family came to America in 1838, residing for a time at
Pittsburg, then locating permanently in St. Charles. August Paule was
educated at Milwaukee and St. Louis, and while still a youth began
clerking in a store which he followed, exclusively, until he engaged in
the floral business.

ALFRED H. PAYNE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, St. Charles).

Mr. Payne’s father was Benjamin H. Payne, who was brought out to
Missouri by his parents from Kentucky, who removed to this State in
an early day. He afterwards grew up in St. Charles county, and
was married to Miss Anna M. Luckett, a daughter of Rev. H. F.
Luckett, formerly of Virginia. Alfred H. was born of this union
Februaiy 11, 1854. He was the eldest of four children, the others
being Nellie L., now the wife of James A. Richardson, an attorney
of Memphis, Mo. ; Robert H., now of the firm of Ford & Payne, promi¬
nent lawyers of St. Louis, and Florida and Belle, the last one
deceased. The mother of these died in the spring of 1861, and the
father was subsequently married to Miss Adelia R. Gray, a daughter
of James S. M. Gray, former sheriff of St. Charles county. The
father died in 1867, but his second wife is still living. There are still
two children of their marriage, Jefferson and Fanny F. The father
was a farmer by occupation, and a substantial citizen of St. Charles
county. During the Mexican War he served with fidelity and courage
under Gen. Doniphan until its close. Alfred H. was reared a farmer,*
and when he attained his majority inherited 116 acres of good land
in this county, apart of his father’s estate. Agriculture has been
his permanent occupation, and, owing to the able assistance of Mr.
Ezra Overall ( who administered on his father’s estate), is rapidly
coming to the front as one of the successful, enterprising farmers of
the county. In 1876, at the age of 22, he was married to Miss Cor¬
delia V. Goddard, a daughter of John A. Goddard, now a merchant
of St. Charles. Mr. and Mrs. P. have two children: Pearl G. and
Anna M. Mr. Payne, by industry and economy, has been able to add
to his landed estate until he now has about 340 acres. This is a
record of exceptional success, considering that less than 10 years ago
he started with little over 100 acres of land. He is a member of the
Knights of Honor, the A. O. U. W., and he and his wife are members
of the Chosen Friends.

HENRY F. PIEPER

(Of Pieper & Co., Grocers and Dealers in Farming Implements; also, County Treas¬
urer of St. Charles).

In 1836 Mr. Pieper’s parents, Henry and Mary Pieper, came to St.
Charles county directly from Hanover, Germany. His father bought
land near St. Peter, where he improved a farm, and in course of time

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

425

lie became one of the successful, well-to-do farmers of the county ;
he died in this county in 1856, widely and profoundly mourned, for
he was well known and highly respected. Henry F. Pieper was born
after the family settled in St. Charles county, August 3, 1840 ; his
youth was spent at work on the farm and in attending the occasional
neighborhood schools that were in reach. When 18 years old, how¬
ever, he came to St. Charles, and entered upon an apprenticeship at
the carpenter’s trade, in which capacity he worked three years ; he
then did journey work at carpentering and in 1861 secured employ¬
ment on the government barracks at St. Louis, where he worked
until they were completed. Returning to St. Charles, he shortly en¬
listed in the home guards, Union service, recruited for home protec¬
tion. After his term of service in the home guards, he formed a
partnership with H. B. Denker in merchandising, under the firm
name of Denker & Pieper. Subsequently he had different partners,
and was at different times in the grain and grocery business, respect¬
ively, up to 1868, when John H. Gruer became his partner in the
grocery trade. They have ever since continued the business together
under the name of Pieper & Co. They have had good success in
business and have one of the leading grocery houses of St. Charles.
They also carry a large stock of farm implements, including steam
threshers, and have a good trade in this branch of business. Mr.
Pieper has become well and favorably known as one of the substantial,
reliable business men of the county. For six years he was city treas¬
urer, from 1868 to 1872, and for six years he served the people of the
county as county treasurer, from 1878 to 1884. His repeated elections
render any remarks as to his efficiency, fidelity and popularity as a
public officer entirely supererogatory. His successor was Henr}^
Angert. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Pieper was married to Miss
Caroline Boschert, a daughter of Joseph Boschert, late of this
county, but now deceased, and originally from Germany. Mr. and
Mrs. P. have two children: Henry A., now entered upon his college
course at St. Mary’s, Kan., and Celia, a bright little girl some 10
years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Pieper are members of the Catholic
Church.

REV. FATHER VICTOR VAN DER PUTTEN

(Rector of the St. Charles Borromeo Church, St. Charles).

One of the grandest and noblest features of the Holy Apostolic
Church is the profound and lasting influence she exerts, and through¬
out its history has ever exerted, upon the hearts and consciences of
all peoples among whom she carries the standard of the Cross. i Wher¬
ever the holy men and devoted sisters of her following go, there is
Christianity carried, pure and true and simple, to remain until the
sun shall cease to shine and the order of the visible universe shall be
no more. Everv where, where the Catholic Church obtains, men and
women, of whatever race or condition, are attracted to her by the
irresistible power of her own truth, purity and righteousness. Some

426

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

are raised up for the priesthood and others for the holy orders of
noble sisters in which she abounds, — all devoted to an undivided life
for the service of the Church and the cause of the religion of Christ.
No alleged church, among all the multiplicity of denominations, fur¬
nishes an example to be compared to that presented by the Holy
Catholic Church, of thousands and hundreds of thousands of men
and women throughout the Christian world eschewing, altogether,
secular life, divorcing themselves entirely from the world, taking the
vows of lasting celibacy, and committing themselves finally and con¬
clusively to Christian work alone. Such a church and such a faith
must possess something that finds a deep and lasting lodgement in
the hearts and consciences of mankind ; such men and women as
these must be earnest, sincere and true. Only one among tens of
thousands in this country to devote themselves to the service of the
church is the subject of the present sketch, Rev. Father Putten.
And like the others, his life and works illustrate the truth and value
of the doctrines of his church. Devoted to his church, to his Maker
and to the temporal and eternal welfare of his fellow-creatures, he
has labored at the altar and among the people, amidst whom he has
lived, in season and out of season, to forward the cause of righteous¬
ness. An earnest priest, and zealous in his great life work, he is at
the same time a kind and generous-hearted man and is esteemed by
the community at large for his many estimable qualities only less than
he is loved by the members of his own church. Father Putten was
born in the Netherlands, February 26, 1845. He was the second of
a family of four children of Francis and Mary (Keys) Putten, both
also natives of the Netherlands, his mother, however, being of French
descent. Father Putten was educated in his native province of North-
Braband, where he also received the priestly ordination in the mag¬
nificent cathedral of Boise-le-Duc. In 1868 he came to America to
enter the Society of Jesus, and, after two years of novitiate at Floris¬
sant, Mo., went to the College of the Sacred Heart, of Woodstock,
Md., where he devoted two years more to theological studies. Father
Putten now became Professor in the St. Ignatius College, at Chicago,

o o 7 o 7

but on account of ill health was ordered, a year later (1873), to join
the famous Father Damen in giving missions in various parts of this
country. He continued in this office three years, and in 1876 took
charge of a colored church at Cincinnati, teaching at the same time
at St. Xavier’s College in that city. Six years later, on July 27,
1882, he was appointed rector of the St. Charles Borromeo Church,
and ever since that time he has continued to exercise the duties of
rector at this church.

JULIUS F. RAUCH

(Express Agent, St. Charles) .

The second eldest in a family of seven children, young Mr. Rauch
was only five years of age when his parents came to St. Charles in
1865. His father, Bernard Rauch, was a native of Germany, and liis

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

427

mother’s maiden name was Mary C. T. Beck, who was born in
Northern France, and came to America when two years of age. They
were married in St. Charles in 1856, and located at St. Louis, Mo.
Later along, they removed to Evansville, Ill., and during the war
they again returned to St. Louis, and lived there three years, and
thence to St. Charles, Mo. The father was a saddler by trade, and
died here March 20, 1872, at the age of 39 years. The mother is
still living, a resident of St. Charles, and with her family of children.
Julius F. was born at Evansville, Ill., on the 13th of September, 1859.
Principally reared at St. Charles, he received a good education in
English and German in the Catholic schools of this place. At the
age of 17 he began work in the express office, having previously had
some experience in mercantile clerking. He worked for the express
company at this place for about two years, and then was promoted to
a position at Moberly in the service of the company. Later along
he received an appointment on the railroad for the express company,
running between Kansas City and Chicago, and afterwards was trans¬
ferred to the route between Chicago and St. Louis, being the express
messenger on the road. In 1881 he received his present appoint¬
ment at this place, and has been the express agent here ever since.
These facts show that by his own merit he has risen from the bottom
round of the ladder to his present enviable position. He is a young
man of fine business qualifications, and is quite popular with all who
know him.

CHARLES RECHTERN and BENJAMIN F. BECKER

(Of Rechtern & Bicker, Dealers in Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots, Shoes, etc., etc.,

St. Charles).

The house of the above named firm is one of the old and leading
houses of St. Charles. They occupy a large building, their sales¬
room being 90x45 feet, in which is displayed one of the best and most
complete stocks of goods in their lines in the country. An old and
established house, they of course command a large trade. Their
sales annually aggregate an average of over $40,000. Certainly this
is a business that is worthy of more than a passing notice in the
present volume. Nothing throws a truer light on any business than a
correct understanding of the lives and character of the men who are
at the head of it and control it. It is therefore entirely proper to give
here a brief sketch of each of the partners of the above named firm.
Charles Rechtern is a native of Prussia, born near Bremen, May 14,
1845. He was of a well respected family in the vicinity of Bremen,
and had more than average advantages as he grew up in his native
country to fit himself for a successful and useful career. His parents,
Henry Rechtern and wife, Charlotte Haveker, were born and reared
near where Charles, the subject of this sketch, was brought up, and
where they continue to make their home. The father is a man of in¬
dustry and a good manager, and provided well not only for the sup¬
port but the education of his children. Charles took both a general

428

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

course in the German branches and the sciences and a thorough clas-
sical course. In 1863 he came to America and located first at Belle¬
ville, where he obtained a situation as clerk in a store. From there
he came to St. Louis and was a salesman in a wholesale store until
1867. He then resigned and engaged in business for himself at East
St. Louis, establishing a dry goods and clothing house. Two years
later he sold out and came to St. Charles, where he formed a partner¬
ship in business with Valentine Becker, an old and popular merchant of
this place, and the father of Benjamin F. Becker, Mr. Rechtern’s
present partner. Mr. Becker, Sr., retired from the firm in 1873, and
his son, Benjamin F., succeeded to his interest. Mr. Rechtern is a
capable, energetic and popular business man, and has achieved success
by his own enterprise and business ability. November 4, 1869, he
was married to Miss Ellen Becker, a sister to his present partner.
Mrs. R. was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart. They
have five children: William H., Adelia, Blanche, Charles E. and
Ellen.

Benjamin F. Becker, the second of the partners in the firm, is
a son of Valentine Becker. As has been said, his father came from
Darmstadt, Germany, when a young man, in 1840, and settled at St.
Charles. He was married here to Miss Adelheid Dennv, a daughter
of Charles Denny, formerly of Germany. About the time of his mar¬
riage he engaged in merchandising at St. Charles and continued in
active business at this place for about 30 years. He was very suc¬
cessful and built up a large business. He erected a business house
which his son now occupies, and had previously built a business house
at this place. In 1873 he retired on a competence from all active
business. Benjamin F., the second in their family of children, was
born at this place December 29, 1851. He was educated at college in
St. Charles and in the Christian Brothers’ College in St. Louis. Sub¬
sequently he took a course at commercial college. After this he wa9
in the store with his father until the latter retired and he became a
partner in the business. November 23, 1878, he was married to Miss
Matilda, a daughter of Francis Martin, a well known grain dealer of
St. Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Becker’s only child, a bright little
daughter, died in her third year, February 19, 1884.

EBENEZER C. RICE

(Sheriff of St. Charles County, St. Charles').

Mr. Rice is a native of this count}', born in St. Charles, June 6,
1844. His parents were Caleb and Nancy (Bacon) Rice, his father a
native of Connecticut, and his mother originally from Maine. His
father was principally reared in Ohio, and came to Missouri when a
young man, in about 1836. His mother came to Missouri before her
marriage in company with her brother, William Bacon. The parents
first met in St. Charles county and were married here in about 1839.
The father was a physician by profession, a licentiate of the Botanic
School of Medicine. He practiced his profession in this county for

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

429

many years and until his death, which occurred January 1, 1865. His
wife died in June of the same year. They left a family of six chil¬
dren, namely: Mary E., who is now Mrs. John Adams, of St. Louis ;
Ebenezer C., the subject of this sketch; Caleb W., a physician of
Louisville, Kv. ; Samuel A., of New York city ; John T., a physician
of San Antonio, Texas ; George H., a physician of Castroville, Texas ;
Edward B., a druggist at San Antonio, Texas ; Josephine, the wife of
a Mr. Smith, a successful merchant of New York city. Ebenezer C.
Rice was reared at St. Charles, and educated in the St. Charles Col¬
lege, although he did not complete the full course except in mathe¬
matics. In 1860 he obtained a clerkship in the store of Love & Co.,
in which his father was a silent partner, and he continued in that
employment until about the time of the outbreak of the war. He
then went to Montana and was engaged in mining and farming at Vir¬
ginia City and in Helena for some five years. He was there during
the exciting times of the reign of vigilance committees, and relates
many thrilling experiences through which he passed. In 1864, his
brothers, Samuel and William, joined him in Montana and the three
remained there together for two years. Mr. Rice returned to St.
Charles county in 1866 and shortly afterwards established a broom
factory at St. Charles. He carried that on with success for five or six
years, and then engaged in merchandising with his brother-in-law, G.
P. LaBarge, as partner. A year later, however, he resumed the
manufacture of brooms. In 1875 he was appointed deputy sheriff
under J. W. Ruenzi, and he continued in that office until 1882, when
he was elected sheriff himself without opposition. He is now serving
his second year, and will probably be re-elected without opposition
for the next term. His deputy is Mr. Charles G. Johann. In 1866,
May 8, Mr. Rice was married to Miss Margaret LaBarge, a daughter
of Charles and Estella (Cote) LaBarge, both of early French families
in Eastern Missouri. Her father was an old river pilot and died during
the war. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have seven children : Mary, Ida, Jose¬
phine, Florence, Alfred, Augustus and Ella. Mrs. Rice is a member
of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Mr.
Rice assisted in his official capacity at the executions of the murderers
John Bland and William Barton, colored.

THOMAS J. ROBBINS

(Proprietor of the Galt House, St. Charles).

Under the proprietorship and personal management of Mr. Robbins
the Galt House has achieved an enviable reputation among the better
class of interior hotels of the State. He took hold of it with the
determination to run it as a first-class cosmopolitan hotel or to have
nothing to do with it. He rightly judged that if it would not pay to
run it as a first- class house it would not pay to run it at all, and he
therefore started out to succeed on the right principle, or, if fail he
must, to fail without any fault of his. His experience thus far has
more than justified his belief that a first-class hotel can be made to pay

430

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

at St. Chatles. The Galt House under his management has grown
rapidly in reputation and patronage, and its good name and success
are steadily increasing. He sets a first-class table, regardless of cost,
and keeps as neat, comfortable and desirable lodging rooms as can
be found in the country. Every thing is clean and attractive and
presents the air of home-like comfort. The servants are all under
strict instructions to be polite, courteous and accommodating at all
times and in all circumstances, and he has educated himself up to the
point of keeping his physiognomy in the presentment, as the French
would say, of a perpetual perennial smile, the like of which it is a very
joy to see. The traveling man, especially, delights to revel in the luxu¬
ries of his bounteous epicurean table and to stentorate circumtononically
snugly tucked away within the folds of his immaculate sheets. In a
word, he has made Galt House a first-class hotel in every respect.
Mr. Robbins was born and reared in this county, his primal natal day
being the 4th of May, 1854. His father was Thomas J. Robbins,
formerly of Ohio, and his mother’s maiden name Elizabeth E. Ewing,
of the well known and prominent Ewing family of that State. They
were early settlers in St. Charles county, and the father was a suc¬
cessful farmer and stock-raiser of this county. He died here April
7, 1859. The mother died January 5, 1875. Thomas J., the subject
of the sketch, was educated in St. Charles county and at Blackburn
University of Carlinville, 111., February 2, 1875, he was married to
Miss Nettie Stonebraker, a daughter of Oliver and Catharine A.
(Becklev) Stonebraker, formerly of Hagarstown, Md. Mrs. Robbins
was educated at Lindenwood College and at Dulin’s Female College
at St. Joseph, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. R. have five children: Ralph S.,
Lynn M., Lucy M., Edward T., and an infant, innominate.

JAMES SHORT

(Contractor for Stone-Building Work, Macadamizing and Grading, St. Charles).

The career of Mr. Short presents an example of industry, perse¬
verance and good management, rewarded by substantial results, well
worthy of imitation by young men who start out as he did without a
dollar to begin on, or the influence of wealthy friends to help them
along. He came to this country a poor young mechanic, from Ire¬
land, in 1862, and was practically without a dollar. He worked at
his trade for about a year in New York, and then spent a year at
work in Chicago. From there he came to St. Charles, and has
resided here ever since. He has become comfortably situated in life,
and is one of the substantial men of the county. Besides valuable
town property, he owns a handsome farm of nearly 300 acres in the
county, and also has about 100 acres in Warren county. He does a
large contracting business for stone-work in buildings, and also for
macadamizing and grading. August 25, 1867, Mr. Short was mar¬
ried to Miss Anna Boil, a daughter of William and Mary (McGuire)
Boil, formerly of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Short have eight children :
Mary, John, William, Kate, Ella, Anna, Lizzie and James. He

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

431

and wife and their children are members of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Short was born at Limerick, Ireland. His parents were John
and Mary (Hungrolin) Short, both of ancient Irish families. The
family came to this country in 1864 and settled in St. Charles county,
where the father followed farming: until his death, which occurred in

O 7

January, 1879. The mother died in December, 1882.

MILTON SPENCER

(Farmer, St. Charles) .

Born in St. Charles county, October 13, 1847, Mr. Spencer was a
son of Robert and Anna (Cayce) Spencer, both also native of this
county. His father was a soldier in the Mexican War, and during
the Civil War served in the Confederate army. He died in 1864. The
mother had preceded him in 1856. Five of their family of children
are living, namely: Ellen, Virginia, Sarah, George and Milton. Mil-
ton was reared in this county and partly educated in the schools of
St. Charles. He then entered Blackburn University of Carlin ville,
Ill., where he took a course in the higher branches. In 1880 he was
married to Miss Julia Zull, a daughter of Abner and Agnes Zull, of
Lockport, Ill. She died July 1, 1883. She was a worthy member of
the M. E. Church, and died as she had lived, fixed in the faith of her
Redeemer. After leaving the university Mr. Spencer taught school
for a time and then engaged in farming in this county, which he has
ever since followed. He has a good farm of 120 acres.

J. H. SPINKS

(Proprietor of Spinks’ Barber Shop and Cold and Hot Bath-house, St. Charles).

Mr. Spinks was born in St. Louis county, March 18, 1840, and was
the oldest of five children of John H. and Louisa (Barady) Spinks.
His father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1849 went to Califor¬
nia, where he remained engaged principally in mining for about 12
years ; he died at Salt Lake on his return home in 1861. Mrs. Spinks
is still living and makes her home with one of her children. John H.,
Jr. , was reared in St. Charles and educated in the Catholic schools at this
place. In 1861 he commenced the barber’s trade, but shortly after¬
wards enlisted in the Southern army under Gen. Price. In 1864 he
was taken prisoner and not released until the following year, when he
was set at liberty under general orders from Gen. Grant. He *
then came home to St. Charles and has continued to reside in this
city ever since engaged all the time at his trade. He stands at the
head of his business in St. Charles, and is conceded to be one of the
best barbers in the county. He has a good shop which is liberally
patronized, and also has a complete system of hot and cold bath¬
rooms in connection with his shop. In 1857 he was married to Miss
Julia Pallarsie, a daughter of Basil Pallarsie, of this county, but now
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Spinks have seven children : Venie, Nora,
John, Edgar, Stephen, Allison and Antone L. He and wife are

432

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

members of the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Catholic
Knights of America.

ANTONE STOLZ 1

(Proprietor of Stolz’s Hotel and Saloon, St. Charles).

Mr. Stolz is a native of Alsace, Germany, born January 17, 1844.
His parents were Balthasar and Susan (Weber) Stolz, both born and
reared in Alsace. Antone Stolz grew to manhood in his native prov¬
ince and received a common school education ; he was brought up on
the farm under his father and remained with him until 1865, when he
came to America. Here he hrst located at St. Charles and was subse¬
quently at other points engaged in various occupations, including rail¬
roading, farming, the saloon business, etc. In June, 1871, he returned
to St. Charles and was a bar-tender here for Wm. Suermer for about
eight months ; he then formed a partnership with Ignatz Behnert and
engaged in the saloon business himself. Two years later his partner
retired from the firm and he continued the business alone. He has
been verv successful in business, and has the largest saloon in the
city; he also has a hotel in connection with his saloon, which is liber¬
ally patronized. Mr. Stolz justly prides himself on the quiet, orderly
house that he keeps, everything about his premises being so conducted
that any gentleman may enter at any time without seeing or hearing
anything to give offense or out of taste and decency. Mr. Stolz was
married September 20, 1873, to Miss Magdaline Weber, a daughter of
Lawrence Weber, of St. Charles county, but formerly of Alsace,
Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Stolz are members of the Catholic Church,
and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of America. Mr. Stolz
is a prominent stockholder in the tobacco factory of St. Charles. He
is a pleasant, agreeable gentleman, well respected and quite popular
among his friends and acquaintances. He is a man of good business
energy and is steadily coming to the front as one of the substantial
citizens of St. Charles.

JOHN E. STONEBRAKER

(Cashier of the First National Bank, St. Charles).

In business affairs Mr. Stonebraker’s career has been one of marked
activity, not unattended with substantial success. He has long occu-
* pied a well recognized and enviable position among experienced and
successful bank officials. Prior to becoming interested in banking, he
had had a successful experience in general business life, well calculated
to prepare him, so far as training outside of a bank could serve in that
direction, for the general banking business. Mr. Stonebraker is well
known to the people of St. Charles and throughout the surrounding
country, as not only a thoroughly qualified bank official, but as a citi¬
zen of business enterprise, public spirit and much usefulness to the
place and the entire community ; so that it is unnecessary to speak
here of his standing and the influence he exerts. One of the worthy,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

433

active business men of the place, and having been closely identified
with the material and other interests of St. Charles for many years,
the intimate association of his name with the many enterprises con¬
ducive to the growth and prosperity of this city, afford the best record
that could be given of the value of his services to the place. Known
and recognized as one of the old and substantial citizens of St. Charles,
always active and liberal in all movements of a public nature, designed
to promote the business and general interests of the place, his name,
even were it not borne on these pages, will go down in the history of
the county as one of its worthiest and best citizens. Mr. Stonebraker
is a native of Maryland, born in Washington county, on the 1st day of
June, 1826. The grandfather has long been settled in Maryland and
emigrated there direct from Germany. Mr. Stonebraker’s father was
John Stonebraker, and resided near Hagarstown. The mother was a
Miss Naomi McCoy, and in 1843, when John E. was about 17 years of
age, the family, including himself, removed to Missouri and settled at
the village of St. Charles. It was then but little more than a small
French trading post. However, the father improved a farm near this
place, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred in
1859. John E. remained on the farm until he completed his majority.
Meanwhile he had had fair educational advantages. Before the family
left Maryland he had, in addition to attending the ordinary schools,
taken a course at the Franklin Institute, of Pennsylvania. Before
reaching his majority he had also studied book-keeping, and was there¬
fore more than ordinarily well qualified for those times, to begin a
business career. When 21 years of age he obtained employment in the
Collier flouring mills at St. Charles, as book-keeper. Mr. Stone¬
braker remained in that position until 1851, when he bought an inter¬
est and became an equal partner with Mr. Gibbs in the St. Charles
woolen mills. For five years following he was an active partner in
these mills, and had mainly the business management of them. Their
success was unquestioned while he was connected with them, and in
1856 he sold out to good advantage, having already made some money.
About this time the walnut lumber industry began to attract attention
and offered a profitable field of enterprise. He therefore engaged in
it, and for three years ran a mill for the manufactory of walnut lum¬
ber, and also did something in manufacturing other lines of native
hard-wood lumber. Peter Hausam was his partner, and they did a
heavy business in lumber industry. This was continued until shortly
prior to the war, when, having accumulated some considerable means,
Mr. Stonebraker decided to engage in the banking business. Recog¬
nizing his qualifications for the position, the board of directors of the
St. Charles Branch of the Southern Bank of St. Louis, in which he
was a prominent stockholder, appointed him cashier of the Branch.
The Southern was the original of the Third National Bank of St. Louis,
of which Mr. Tutt is now president. He was cashier of the Branch for
about four years. In 1863 Mr. Stonebraker was instrumental in or¬
ganizing the First National Bank of St. Charles. This proved a suc¬
cessful enterprise, and has become one of the solid banking institutions

434

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

of the State. He was elected cashier of the First National immedi¬
ately after its organization, and has ever since continued to hold that
position. There is no one to question that the success of this bank
is very largely due to his ability and enterprise in bank man¬
agement and the high character for business integrity, which has
ever been shown in all its affairs. No bank in the State stands higher
than the First National of St. Charles, in the confidence of its patrons
and the community where it does business, or in banking circles, gen¬
erally. Mr. Stonebraker is a man of family, having married many
years ago, when a young man. His wife was a Miss Julia E. Griffith,
a daughter of Capt. Asa Griffith, late of this county, but now deceased,
and originally from Tennessee. Mrs. S. was educated at Lindenwood
College, and is a lady of superior culture and refinement. Mr. and
Mrs. Stonebraker have never been blessed with a family of children of
their own, but have reared several who are relatives of hers, namely :
Samuel Parker Griffith, now a bank cashier at Bowling Green, Mo. ;
John Fielding Riggs, now a physician of Texas, and Eliza G. Twyman,
who is the wife of John W. Cox, all of whom were given good advan¬
tages, both educational and otherwise, the same as if they had been
the natural children of their generous and true-hearted foster-parents.
The honorable settlement of each in life, and the worthy name all three
bear, show that they have not failed to appreciate the kindness with
which they were cared for in their early years. Mr. and Mrs. S. are
members of the church, he of the Presbyterian, and she of the M. E.
Church South. He has been elder in the church for over 20 years.

JUDGE JOHN B. THRO

(Of J. B. Thro & Co., Proprietors of the St. Charles Roller Mills).

Born and reared in France, Judge Thro came to America before he
had reached his majority and located at St. Charles. On both the
agnate and cognate sides of his parental family he is of German de¬
scent, and in France received a good ordinary education in both the
French and German languages. His father was Jacob Thro and his
mother’s maiden name Mary A. Miller, both born and reared in
France. John B. was brought up and employed in a woolen factory
from about the age of 12 years, his duty mainly being to assist in
devising and making designs or patterns for weaving purposes, etc.,
for cotton goods. He was in this employment until he came to the
United States. Here he learned the painter’s trade, which he followed
for about two years, and then engaged in merchandising in partnership
with his uncle, Melchior Thro. In about 1858 he sold out his interest in
the partnership with his uncle, and formed a partnership with his father-
in-law, Wendell Hodapp, in the same business, continuing in with his
father-in-law and brother-in-law for about five years. He then made a
visit to Europe, spending a short time in both France and Germany, and
after his return engaged in the dry-goods business with his cousin,
Joseph H. Thro, now deceased. They were together until 1868, when
the latter sold out, and Judge Thro, later along, also sold out his inter-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

435

est in the store. In a short time he engaged in the clothing business as a
member of the firm of Thro, Pritchett & Co. Retiring from this in
1872, he bought a third interest in the roller flouring mills at this
place, with which he has ever since been connected. He now owns a
half interest in the mill. The firm put in the roller process in 1881.
This mill has a wide and enviable reputation for the superior excel¬
lence of the flour it makes. It has a capacity of 130 barrels of flour
a day. It does a general merchant business and has a large trade in
North-east Missouri, particularly along the line of the Wabash -Rail¬
road. Judge Thro has been very successful in his business affairs.
He has always been one of the enterprising and public spirited citizens
of St. Charles. In almost every enterprise of the place he has taken
an active and useful part. He is a stockholder in the car works and
also a stockholder in the Union Savings Bank, of which he is a direc¬
tor. To the stock of the St. Charles Mutual Fire Insurance Company
he was a liberal subscriber, and is one of the directors of the com¬
pany. He is also president of the St. Charles Novelty Works and is
a stockholder in the tobacco factory. He was one of the organizers
of the Board of Trade at this place, and is a member of its directory.
Judge Thro was the presiding justice of the county court some years
ago, and at another time held the office of city register for a period
of four years. He was also city assessor for a number of years.
These facts show that he has long been a man of marked considera¬
tion and influence in the community. Judge Thro has been married
twice. To his first wife, formerly Miss Catharine Hodapp, he was mar¬
ried November 11, 1856. She was a daughter of Wendell Hodapp,
of this place, but formerly of Germany, and died in 1865. To his
present wife, nee Mary A. Hodapp, a sister to his first wife, he was
married April 10, 1866. The Judge had seven children : Edward H.,
now in Minnesota ; Adolph, Joseph, Emma C., John W., Mary L.
and Frank X. One, Louis P., died in infancy.

WILLIAM L. VICK

(Dealer in Agricultural Implements aud Farm Machinery, St. Charles).

Mr. Vick was born and reared in St. Charles and is of English
parents, his father, Henry L. Vick, and mother, whose maiden name
was Emily Phelps, having both been of English birth ; or rather his
mother was a daughter of ’Squire Phelps, who came from England in
an early day. His father became a well-to-do farmer of this county,
and died when William L. was quite young. William L. was born
November 22, 1855, and was the fourth in a family of five children.
He was reared on the farm in this county and after attending the
ordinary schools, took a course at Blackburn University, in Illinois.
Concluding his course at the university in 1876, he subsequently taught
school for several terms, principally during the winter months. In a
short time, however, he became traveling salesman for a wholesale
agricultural implement house, and followed this up to the time he
engaged in business at St. Charles. He established his present house

436

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

at this place last spring and has a large stock in his line. Mr. Tick
has met with much encouragement in his business and justly feels
gratified at the success he has had. He has received a liberal patron¬
age and his business is believed to be well established under sure and
prosperous footing. In 1879 he was married to Miss Mary G. Evelen,
a daughter of Alonzo Evelen, of this county, but formerly of Virginia.
Mr. and Mrs. V. have two children: Edgar and Johnnie. He and
wife are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Vick is a member of
the Catholic Knights of America and of the Western Commercial
Travelers Association. He is also a member of Fire Company No. 1.

JULIUS WAYE

(Proprietor of the St. Charles Marble Works).

Mr. Wave, a throughly skilled artificer in plain and ornamental
marble cutting, indeed an artist in his trade, is at the same time a
business man of superior qualifications, a regular graduate of com¬
mercial college and with a successful experience in business life.
Combining, as he does, these qualities and qualifications, it is, perhaps,
as should have been expected, that he has had unqualified success in
his present business. At his yards he is prepared to fill all kinds of
orders for marble work, even on the most difficult patterns, both tor
general use and for cemeteries. Of the latter branch of marble work
he makes a specialty, and in this line does a large business. Mr.
Wave, it is gratifying to be assured, is a St. Charles boy — to the
manor born, as it were. The light of the sun, ascending up the
Orient heavens, first gladdened the disc of his mortal ocularies at this
place, on the 9th of January, 1857. He was the fifth in a family of
eight children of Christian and Lizette (Kuhlhofif) Waye, his father
and mother natives of Germany. Julius was reared at St. Charles
and educated at the German Lutheran school at this place. Subse¬
quently he took a course at Jones’ Commercial College in St. Louis,
graduating in 1872. He then learned the marble-cutter’s trade and
acquired the finest retouchers de grace of the art, making himself
able to cut even the most delicate flowers to such a degree of perfec¬
tion that they seem to smile like their sisters of the garden when the
sun shines with gentleness and sweetness upon them. He continued
as a regular workman at his trade until 1879, when he engaged in
business for himself, establishing a marble yard of his own. Mr.
Waye has been entirely successful in business and has a yard that is
liberally patronized by the friends of the fortunate dead, whose lives
are commemorated by the immaculate marble from his classic chisel.
October 19, 1882, Mr. W. was married to Miss Emma Bucher, a
daughter of Francis and Mary Bucher, of St. Louis. They have one
child, Frank W.

HERMANN WAYE

(Tonsorial Artist, Artiste de Tonsure, or Bartscheerer, St. Charles).

There can be little doubt that the art de tonsure is justly entitled
to a representative position among the fine arts, for when properly

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

437

practiced nothing requires greater skill or a finer, more aesthetic and
cultivated, refined taste. The mere mechanical part of the work is
nothing compared to those higher requirements of fine discriminating
judgment necessary to dressing one’s head and face so that the more
agreeable features of his physiognomy maybe brought out to the best
advantage. Then, too, some considerable knowledge of pharmacy
and the art of chemical combination should be had, so that the char¬
acter and purpose of cosmetics may be understood, while a knowledge
of hygiene and physiology is also necessary in order that the influence
and effects of cosmetics on the skin and of oleaginous preparations
and the different powders, etc., on hair may be properly appreciated.
In Europe high schools of the art de tonsure are established for the
education of young men to this profession. In this country, however,
it has never been carried to that* high point of culture and advance¬
ment witnessed on the other side of the Atlantic. Still, we have some
very able representative artists in this profession and most of its
members, who are men of intelligence, are striving to advance them¬
selves to the utmost point of excellence in it attainable. Among this
class is the subject of the present sketch, Mr. Waye, a young man
of marked intelligence and thoroughly devoted to his profession.
Already he has become a most skillful barber and has won an enviable
reputation in St. Charles for the degree of perfection to which he has
carried his art. His shop is extremely popular, or, rather, to speak
more technically, his tonsorial parlors stand very high in popular
esteem, and he receives a large patronage. Mr. Waye is a native of
St. Charles county, born November 3, 1852. He was the second
eldest in a family of six children of Christian and Leiste (Kuhlhoff)
Wa ye, both formerly from Germany. Young Mr. Waye was reared
and educated at St. Charles and commenced his profession at the
early age of 13. In 1873 he opened a tonsorial establishment at the
city of Moberly and conducted it with success some four years. He
then returned to St. Charles and has been in the practice of his pro¬
fession at this place ever since. He has built up a successful estab¬
lishment and is doing extremely well. In 1879 he was married t©
Miss Minnie Wesemann, a daughter of Conrad Wesemann, of this
city, but formerly of Hanover. Mr. and Mrs. W. have two children :
Robert and Hugo.

THOMAS L. WHITE

(Farmer, Post-office, Harvester.)

Mr. White has a good farm of 165 acres, on which he has resided
for the last 20 years. He is a native of Virginia, born in Henrico
county, April 6, 1821, and a son of Judge John P. White and wife,
her maiden name having been Miss Elizabeth B. Royal. They removed
to Missouri in 1841, and Thomas L. came with them. They first
located in St. Louis county, where Thomas L. engaged in the carpen¬
ter’s trade, and followed it there for over 20 years. The family, how¬
ever, came on up to St. Charles county in 1843 where they made their

438

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

permanent home. The father was a farmer by occupation and died
here in 1864. He had been sheriff of Henrico and Hanover counties,
in Virginia, before coming to Missouri, and after coming here was a
judge of the county court. Mrs. White died in 1872. He died, how¬
ever, in 1864. Thomas L. was the second of six children. After the
family located at St. Louis he worked at his trade there until 1864,
when he came to St. Charles county. He was married October 31,
1850, to Miss Elizabeth Leak, a daughter of Emanuel and Sarah Leak,
formerly of England. She died in 1883, leaving eight children:
Laura E., Thomas P., James E., Harry M., William B., Joseph H.,
Sadie M., Charles and Lee, the last two deceased. Laura E. is the
wife of Oliver Cottle, a farmer of the vicinity of Gainesville, Tex. ;
Thomas P. is a photographer and a crayon artist of portraits, of
Quincy, Ill. The others are still at home. Mr. W. is a member of
the I. O. O. F.

JEROME WHITE

(Stock Dealer, Post-office, St. Charles) .

Col. John P. White, the hither of the subject of this sketch, removed
to Missouri from Henrico county, Va., in 1841, and located first in
St. Louis county. He came to St. Charles in 1844, and followed
farming and dealing in stock here until his death. He was a man of
fine mental culture and received a thorough military education, grad¬
uating at the National Military Academy of West Point in early man¬
hood. Col. White served with gallantry and distinction in the War
of 1812. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth B. Ryall before her marriage,
and both were natives of the Old Dominion. They reared a family of
six children, five sons and one daughter. Jerome White came to
Missouri with his parents when he was 19 years of age, aud had
received a good general education, principally from a private tutor
employed by his father. He remained with his family until he was
26 years of age, and then married a Miss Laura E., a daughter of
Thomas Batt, from Petersburg, Va. She died in 1854 at the age of
21. In 1855 Mr. White was married to Miss Marcia L., a daughter
of William Luckett, deceased, and they have had five children; the
two older ones were bo vs and are both dead ; the surviving three are
Laura E., Lucy V. and William B. In 1857 he, bought a farm for
himself six miles from St. Charles where he engaged in farming and
raising and dealing in stock. He has made handling of stock a spe¬
cialty for the last 14 years. His present residence is just outside the
city limits of St. Charles, and is a well improved, comfortable home¬
stead. He stall feeds from 25 to 100 head of cattle annually and buys
and ships large numbers besides. Mrs. White is a member of the
Methodist Church.

REV. FATHER PETER WIGGER

(Assistant Priest of the St. Peter’s Catholic Church, St. Charles).

Father Wigger was born in Westphalia, Prussia, December 24,
1857, and was a son of Johann Wigger and wife, nee Regina Woest-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

439

hof. His father was a farmer by occupation. Father Wigger was
one in a family of 10 children, and was educated in the local schools
in his native vicinity up to the time of entering upon a course of study
for the priesthood. However, while yet a youth he came to the
United States. Here he took a course at the Salesianum, St. Francis
Station, Milwaukee, Wis. Following this he went to Austria and
studied for two years at Insbruck, Tirol. He was now duly ordained
a priest and in June, 1883, he was made assistant priest at St. Charles,
having returned to the United States after his course at Insbruck.

JOHN W. WILKIE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, St. Charles) .

When 25 years of age Mr. Wilkie was working out on monthly
wages as a farm hand. Now hardly past the middle age of life, he is
in easy circumstances, having several good farms, embracing over 600
acres of land, and all made by his own honest industry and good
management. Every dollar he has made has been obtained by his
own honest exertions and nearly everything he has is the fruit of his
own hard work. Such a record would be a credit to any man and is
well worthy a place in this volume. Mr. Wilkie was born in Hanover
August 12, 1823, and came to this country with his mother and her
family of children in the fall of 1842, his father having died several
years before. They settled in St. Charles county and John W. went
to work at farm labor. He continued at this on monthly wages,
economizing his means all the time until 1851, when he was able to
buy a tract of 140 acres of land, which he accordingly purchased.
Here he made a good farm and since that time has been engaged in
farming for himself. From time to time he has added to his landed
estate until now he has nearly a section of fine land, most of which is
improved and in several farms. In 1852 he was married to Miss
Laura Boemer, a daughter of Casper Boemer, formerly of Germany.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilkie have eight children: Henry, who resides on one
of his father’s farms ; Herman, William, Margaret, Frederick, Julius,
Louisa and Lillie. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Lutheran
Church. Mr. Wilkie served in the militia for a time during the war.
He now resides on lot 17 and 18, in the suburbs of St. [Charles, where
he has a comfortable homestead and is pleasantly situated.

REV. REINHARD WOBUS]

(Minister of the St. John German Evangelical Church, St. Charles).

After a thorough course of preparatory study, Rev. Mr. Wobuswas
duly ordained a minister of the German Evangelical Church of North
America at Washington, in Franklin county, Mo., July 5, 1874. He
had only a few days before graduated at the German Evangelical
Seminary near Marthasville, Mo., and before entering that institution
had taken courses of study in both Europe and America. Rev. Mr.
Wobus was born in the canton of Base, Switzerland, April 20, 1853,

440

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

and was a son of John D. and Sophia (Heinimann) Wobus, his father
a farmer by occupation and a native of Prussia. His father died in
Switzerland in 1865, but his mother is still living, and returned home
to Switzerland in the fall of 1883, after a stay here of nearly six years.
Bev. Mr. Wobus had excellent school advantages in his native coun-
try. Before coming to America he had passed through all the school
and college grades uo to the university, graduating in each. He came to
this country in 1869 and located in Illinois, where he entered Elm¬
hurst Seminary. After two years spent there he matriculated at the
German Evangelical Seminary near Marthasville, Mo., where he grad¬
uated July 2, 1874. His ordination as a minister followed a few days
afterwards, as stated above. After he was ordained Rev. Mr. Wobus
was called to a charge in Naperville, Ill., which he kept for two years.
In 1876 he was appointed as a teacher of ancient languages in' the
German Evangelical Seminary near Marthasville, where he stayed till
June, 1877, resigning then to return to Switzerland. On the 25th of
September, 1877, he and Miss Adele Bricar were happily united in
marriage. She was a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Schneider)
Bricar, both old and respected families in Switzerland. After his
marriage Rev. Mr. Wobus returned with his young wife to his new
home in America, and was shortly appointed to the pastorate of the
church of which he still has charge. Mr. and Mrs. Wobus have two
children : Adele and Reinhard. Mr. Wobus is prominently connected
with various book, newspaper and periodical publishing houses of his
denomination, and does a great deal for the distribution of church
literature and the dissemination of useful knowledge of a religious
class. Some idea of his work of this kind may be formed from the
fact that in the course of the preceding year he received and attended
to over 8,000 letters, and in three months of the present year over
3,300, mainly in the interest of the German Evangelical Synod of
North America.

JUDGE JACOB ZEISLER

(Presiding Justice of the County Court of St. Charles).

Less than 28 years ago, Judge Zeisler came to St. Charles,
practically a stranger, without a dollar, and as an employe for
monthly wages. These years, however, have been actively and hon¬
orably spent. Being a man of marked intelligence, steady, economi¬
cal habits and irreproachable character, there could hardly be but one
result expected from his industry, good management, and honorable
bearing among those around him — the result that has followed — sub-
stantial success in material affairs and enviable prominence in public
affairs. Judge Zeisler has accumulated a good property and is
comfortably situated, has a profitable business, and has, from time to
time, filled, with great credit to himself and to the public, different
official positions. He was a son of Jacob Zeisler, Sr., and wife Cath¬
erine Halblaub, both of Baden, Germany, but who immigrated to
this country in 1839, and located in St. Louis. The mother died

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

441

there in 1853, but the father survived until 1877, dying at the home
of his son, the Judge, in this city. Judge Zeisler was born in Baden,
April 18, 1833. Reared in St. Louis, he early worked at the cooper’s
trade, and subsequently ran the river for a time as cabin boy. In
1849 he was employed in a soda-water factory, and learned the pro¬
cess of manufacturing soda water, and has been principally employed
in this industry to the present time. In 1860, with H. D. Korp, an
old friend of his, he started a soda-water factory at St. Charles with¬
out a dollar. The partnership existed two months. He has con¬
tinued the manufacture of soda-water at St. Charles ever since that
time alone, and has built up a large business. He makes the water
not only for the local trade of this place, but for a large custom at
other points up the river and in the interior of the State. In 1869
Judge Zeisler was elected a member of the city council from the first
ward, and subsequently represented that ward for three terms. He
then resigned to accept the office of Mayor, in which he served for
two terms. Following this, in 1878, he was elected an associate jus¬
tice of the county court, in which office he served for four years*
He was then elected presiding justice of the county court, the posi¬
tion he now holds. Judge Zeisler is prominently mentioned for
Representative in the Legislature, but has not thus far given his con¬
sent to accept the place, if it were tendered him. Certain it is that
in every position he has ever held he has proved even more than
equal to the capable and efficient discharge of the duties of his office,
and has invariably added to his standing and popularity as a worthy
official. Unquestionably there is no office in the gift of the people
of the county to which he might not justly aspire with almost certain
assurance of his election. Judge Ziesler has been married twice.
His first wife died in Mav, 1864. She was a Miss Sarah Sears,
formerly of Port Mahon, Isle Minorca, but reared in St. Louis.
Three children are the fruits of this union : Sarah, who died at the
age of 18, Isaac, also deceased, and Anna L., who died in infancy.
The Judge’s present wife was a Miss Margaret E. Bruns, of this
county. They have seven children: Helen M., Charles E., William,
Joseph, Henry (deceased), Alice, Ida and Cora.

GEORGE ROBARIS BUCKNER, M. D.

(Postmaster, St. Charles).

The Buckner family, one of the old and distinguished families of
Virginia and Kentucky, is of English origin, though it has been set¬
tled in this country for many generations. Branches of the family
are found in many of the Western and Southern States, and wherever
any of the name reside they almost invariably occupy prominent and
enviable positions in life. The subject of the present sketch is a
representative of the Kentucky branch of the family. His father,
Judge Richard A. Buckner, Sr., came out to Kentucky from Fauquier
county, Va., and located at Greensburg, Green county, where he was
subsequently married to Miss Elizabeth Lewis Buckner, a daughter

442

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

of Col. William Buckner, also from Virginia, but an early settler in

Green county, Ivy., and one of the wealthiest planters and slave

holders of that county. He came to Kentucky when a young man

as a surveyor and afterwards acquired large tracts of land in Green

county. At the time of his death he owned a vast estate in lands
%/

and also had about 100 negroes.

On his father’s side, Dr. Buckner’s grandfather, Aylett Buckner,
was one of the leading planters of Virginia and an extensive slave
holder. Late in life he also removed to Kentucky in order to be near
his children in his old age, several of whom had preceded him to the
Blue Grass State.

Dr. Buckner’s father, Judge Richard Aylett Buckner, Sr., became
one of the most distinguished lawyers and jurists of Kentucky.
Whilst yet a very young man he was honored with the office of county
attorney of Green county and afterwards was made Commonwealth’s
attorney for his judicial district. His deep and comprehensive mind
and profound knowledge of the law together with his rare legal
acumen, brought him prominently before the people, and public honors
were literally showered upon him. He was a number of times elected
a member of the Legislature, and in 1822 he was sent to Congress,
where he was continued by the people in the service of his State for
a period of six years. He was then elevated to the bench of the
Court of Appeals of Kentucky, the highest judicial tribunal in the
State. He soon resigned this exalted office, however, to resume the
practice of his profession, which for him was more lucrative than any
public station. Several times afterwards he was elected to the Legis¬
lature, but always with some important special object in view. Space
forbids the mention of the purposes for which he was elected each
time. One instance, however, may be given. The Charleston (S.
C.) & Ohio River Railroad Company were endeavoring to obtain a
charter from the legislatures of South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee
and Kentucky, authorizing the construction of their road through
these States and particularly conferring upon the company full bank¬
ing privileges. The latter feature of the proposed charter was strenu¬
ously opposed, especially in Kentuck}', and Judge Buckner consented
to serve in the Legislature as the leader of the opposition in order to
defeat this gigantic and overshadowing inter-state bank scheme.
Gen. Memenger, one of the foremost men of South Carolina, was
sent on to Kentucky by the railroad company to work the Legislature
for the charter. Judge Buckner opposed the measure in that body in
a speech which not only killed the bill for all time, but obtained a
wide celebrity for its masterly arguments, convincing conclusions and
great eloquence. It was specially printed by the opposition to the
bill and scattered far and wide in every city and hamlet, and almost
in every home, in the State. In 1833 Judge Buckner was the nom¬
inee of the Whig party for Governor of Kentucky, but was defeated
by a small plurality against him almost exclusively on account of his
position on the slavery question. Though a large slave-holder him¬
self, he had even in that early day warmly advocated the gradual

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

443

emancipation of the slaves. Nevertheless his race for the Governor¬
ship precipitated one of the most exciting and memorable campaigns
ever witnessed in the State of Kentucky, a State famous for the
spirit and general interest which characterize its political contests.
He was twice Presidential Elector for Kentucky, and for many years
adorned the circuit bench of his district by his learning, high charac¬
ter and courtly bearing. He died at his home in Greensburg, Decem¬
ber 8, 1847, while still an occupant of the circuit bench. By the bar
of the State he was universally regarded as one of the brightest and
ablest of the profession, and was especially distinguished for the
rare logical and analytical powers of his mind.

Dr. Buckner’s mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis Buckner, died at
Memphis, Tenn., March 8, 1868, while on a visit at the residence of
her daughter, Mrs. Allen. She was a lady of rare refinement and
culture and a devout Christian . She was a constant attendant of the
Presbyterian Church, of which she was for many years an earnest and
exemplary member. She was always among the foremost in charitable
works, and frequently at the bedside of the suffering, administering
to their wants. She was a lady of superior intelligence, and did much
to sustain her eminent husband in his social relations.

Dr. Buckner was one in a family of nine children.

The eldest was Hon. Aylett Buckner, a lawyer of eminence who
served his county twice in the Legislature, and in 1847 was elected to
Congress. He there boldly and fearlessly advocated the “Wilmont
proviso,” and on account of this, his strong free-soil tendencies were
defeated for re-election, which was to have been expected in a district
composed largely of slave-holders. He removed then to St. Louis,
where he was engaged in the practice of law with success until 1864,
when, on account of failing health, he was induced to abandon his
profession and make his home with Dr. Buckner, of St. Charles
county. But two years later he returned to Kentucky, and died at
the residence of his brother, Richard A. Buckner, Jr., after a long
and severe illness. He was never married. He was a man of fine
talent and great courage.

William Buckner, the next of the family, married Miss Jane
Robards, a daughter of Maj. James Robards, of Mercer county, Kv.
In early life he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and died
at Greensburg, Ky., in 1859, being at the time the leading merchant
at that place.

Richard Aylett Buckner, Jr., after completion of his primary edu¬
cation was sent to Centre College at Danville, Ky., and afterwards
St. Joseph’s College, Bardstown, Ky., graduating with high honors
at the latter institution in 1831. Shortly after his admission to the
bar he settled in Lexington, Ky. He was appointed Commonwealth’s
attorney for the district, which position he held for several years,
gaining considerable reputation as a fearless and able prosecutor.
He also received the appointment of circuit judge, and for nine years
fulfilled the arduous duties of this office with great ability and learn-
ing. In 1859 he was elected to the Legislature, and took an active

444

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

and distinguished part in the exciting and memorable transactions of
that body, and to him as much as any other man in the State, is due
the credit of having prevented Kentucky from seceding from the
Union. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives of his
State in 1861. He was a strong Union man during the rebellion,
and waged a bitter and successful war in the Legislature of 1859
against men who attempted to draw Kentucky into the rebellion.
He has never sought any political honors since that time. He was
one of the commissioners appointed by Gov. Leslie in 1876 to edit
the code of practice of Kentucky. No man in Kentucky is more
highly esteemed as an accomplished lawyer and learned jurist than
Judge Buckner.

Arthur Presley Buckner, the fourth son, graduated at St. Joseph’s
College, of Bardstown, Ky., in the same class with his older brother,
Richard, attaining the highest honors of the class. He studied law
with his father, and immediately after obtaining his license to prac¬
tice, removed to Benton, Yazoo county, Miss., and whilst engaged
in the practice of his profession at that place, died in 1833, in the
twentieth year of his age. He was regarded as one of the brightest
and most talented men of his age in that day.

Anthony Thornton Buckner, the fifth son, studied law with his
father, and after several years of practice in his native place received
the appointment of major in one of the Kentucky regiments, and
landed at the seat of war about the time the City of Mexico was sur¬
rendered, and he went from that place to California, landing there in
the gold excitement of 1849. He was, for a time, judge of the cir¬
cuit court, but died soon after election to office. He was a man of
intellect, great force of character, and had he lived a few years
longer would undoubtedly have attained an exalted position in his
profession.

Luther Arthur Buckner, the sixth son, also studied law with his
father, and began the practice of his profession in his native county.
He was, also, the proprietor of Green Spring Furnace, in Green
county, Ky., but disposed of the business and removed to St. Louis,
Mo., but after a short stay in that place as a partner of his elder
brother, Aylett, in their profession of law, he left for California.
Losing his riding horse on his way out he traveled the last six hun¬
dred miles of the distance on foot and landed at Sacramento after a
long and tedious trip in 1852. After several years’ residence in that
State engaged in his profession and mining, he removed to the State
of Nevada, where he is now a prominent and distinguished lawyer,
having recently been Attorney-General of that State and now engaged
in the practice of his profession and in managing a mine which he
owns in that State.

Maria L. Buckner, the oldest sister, married Dr. Richard F. Barret,
of Green county, Ky. ; he removed first to the State of Illinois and
some vears after to St. Louis, Mo., and engaged in banking. He was
a man of rare executive ability and amassed a large fortune. Though
he had ceased to practice his profession to aid in building up the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

445

institution, he accepted a professorship in the McDowell School of
Medicine in St. Louis, the duties of which he discharged with
marked ability.

Elizabeth Robards Buckner, the youngest sister, married Dr. John
R. Allen, who was also a native of Green county, Ky. Dr. Allen
represented his native county in the Legislature in 1843. While there
he was appointed one of a committee to visit the Eastern Lunatic
Asylum, at Lexington, Ky., becoming much interested in cases of the
insane, he was appointed by the Legislature superintendent of that
asylum. From a prison for the insane — for at that time it could be
regarded as nothing better — he raised the institution into a great
State Asylum, and in place of the harsh and vigorous treatment of
the inmates he inaugurated a system of kindness and humanity,
accompanied with his skillful medical treatment and care, which
rapidly increased the number of patients who were cured, making the
asylum a source of pride to the State. From Lexington he went to
St. Louis, Mo., where he filled a chair as professor in the medical col¬
lege. He removed to Memphis, Tenn., where he rapidly rose into
distinction as a physician and acquired a large and lucrative practice.
He died in Memphis in 1877. He was a man of fine talent, a grace¬
ful speaker, and a learned and accomplished physician. His widow
is now residing in Memphis with her son-in-law, Judge M. J. Green.

George Robards Buckner was the seventh son and ninth child of R.
A. Buckner, Sr.s and Elizabeth Lewis Buckner. He was born in
Greensburg, Green county, Ky., on the 16th day of May, 1823. After
education in that place, in his sixteenth year he attended Centre
College at Danville, Ky., and from that place went to the private
residence of Dr. Lewis Marshall, of Woodford county, Ky., to take a
course of study under that eminent teacher, who had but recently re¬
tired from the chair of professor of languages in Transylvania Uni¬
versity at Lexington, Ky., a position he filled for many years. He
was the father of the great Kentucky orator, Thomas F. Marshall,
and a younger brother of Chief Justice Marshall. After the return
of Dr. Buckner to his native place he studied law with his father.
However, after he obtained his license and before he be^an the
practice he abandoned law for medicine, and studied with Dr. John
Hardin, who was a professor in the Louisville Medical College at
Louisville, Ky., where Dr. Buckner attended his first course of
lectures. After the close of the session he returned to Greensburg,
and in the same year on the 17th day of September, 1845, he
married Harriet A. Creel, the daughter of Elsy Creel, a merchant
of Greensburg, with branch stores at Columbia in the adjoining county
of Adair, and also at Creelsburg on the Cumberland river, Cumber¬
land county, Ky. A few weeks after his marriage he was appointed
clerk of the circuit court for Owen county, the largest county in the
northern part of Kentucky, by Judge Mason Brown, the father of B.
Gratz Brown, of Missouri. A short time before he returned from
this office which he filled for about six vears, he took his second course
of medical lectures at the school in Lexington, Ky., and immediately

446

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

thereafter he began the practice of medicine in Owenton, Owen county,
where he continued until November, 1859. Shortly previous to this
time from typhoid fever his health was shattered, and in March, 1857,
he left Kentucky with his negroes and white foreman and settled them
on a rented farm at the head of Loutre Island in Montgomery county,
Mo. After a short stay with them he returned to Kentucky, and in
the fall and following spring he spent several weeks on his farm in
Missouri, and in the fall of 1858 he purchased a farm of about 900
acres of land in Dardenne township, St. Charles county, Mo., to
which he removed his negroes in charge of the foreman, and returned
to Kentucky, and in the latter part of the succeeding year he gave up
his residence in Kentucky and with his white family and house
servants removed to the farm in St. Charles countv. He brought
with him a large number of horses and other stock purchased in Ken¬
tucky, devoting his farm almost entirely to raising stock, especially
trotting horses, which were greatly in demand at that time. He paid
for his farm $17,500, and after the liberation of the negroes, finding
the occupation unpleasant, he sold his farm in three parcels for about
$34,000 ; the last parcel of 652 acres he sold for $2,600. He had a
large number of fine horses and other stock at the time he sold, and
to the purchaser of the land he disposed of $10,000 worth, including
three at $1,000 each.

After Dr. Buckner sold his farm he removed to St. Louis, Mo.,
where he remained about a year and in April, 1870, he removed to
the cit}r of St. Charles where he now resides. He was appointed
postmaster of St. Charles, Mo., in December, 1870, and continued in
office until the expiration of his commission in May, 1881, continu¬
ously for more than 10 }rears. He was again appointed to the same
position and took possession of the office in April, 1883, which he now
holds. Dr. Buckner was the owner of a large number of slaves (32),
but he was a stanch Union man from the inception of the war. He
had been so thoroughlv inculcated with the Whig doctrine bv a
father, prominent in politics in Kentucky, that he immediately joined
the Republican party and has acted with that party up to the present
time.

He has been noted in politics in Missouri and has held many places
of honor. He was the first person named in the act of the Legislature
of Missouri establishing the State Board of Agriculture, and lie served
his people as curator of the State University, supervisor of registra¬
tion, member of the State Republican committee and in other public
duties, all of which have been administered with ability and marked
integrity. His wife was a woman of fine attainments, well educated,
devoted much of her time to reading and educating her children in
their younger life. She was a woman of great energy and ambition,
looking forward to a high degree of attainments of her children, to
whom she devoted much of her time in instructing. She died at
Denver, Col., on the 1st day of September, 1882, while on her way
to visit her youngest son ; he resided at the time at Eagle Rock,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY. 44 7

in Idaho Territory. Her remains were interred in the cemetery at
Kansas City, Mo.

Dr. Buckner has three sons and a daughter. Richard Aylett Buck¬
ner, the oldest son, resides in Greensburg, Ky., where he is engaged
in the practice of law ; he married Anna C. Crenshaw, a daughter of
R. A. W. Crenshaw, a commission merchant, of St. Louis, Mo. In
the court district (circuit) in which he practices, and especially at his
home, he is regarded by the profession as equal to any. He is a man
of marked ability. His wife died at Greensburg, Ky., in the month
of June, 1884, leaving an infant daughter, only a few days of
age. She was a graduate of a Catholic school, in St. Louis, “ Sisters
of the Visitation.” She was a woman of fine mental and social cul¬
tivation.

Charles Creel Buckner, the second son, is a resident of Arkansas
City, Ark., and now engagedin the practice of medicine at that place ;
he is also engaged in cotton planting with his younger brother, Luther
Arthur Buckner, also a physician, who resides at Dermott, Chicot
county, Ark., near which place they own a plantation of 800 acres
of land. Charles graduated in dentistry in St. Louis, Mo., and in
medicine in Louisville, Ky. Luther graduated in dentistry and medi¬
cine in St. Louis, Mo.

Elizabeth Allen Buckner, the only daughter and third child, was
educated at the “ Convent of the Visitation,” in St. Louis, Mo. She
married George Fielder Ballingal, now residing in Kansas City, Mo.,
where he is engaged in the practice of law. He is one of the leading
men in his profession of that place and has acquired a considerable
fortune in real estate at Kansas City. He was recently a Senator
of his State from Kansas City, and is at this time attorney for the
Wabash, ;fSt. Louis and Pacific Railway. He is a man of ability
and untiring energy and zeal in his profession. His wife is a woman
of rare social and mental attainments. She is a natural artist. She
has the walls of her residence covered with a number of oil paintings
the production of her own genius.

CHAPTER XIII.

HISTORY OF DARDENNE TOWNSHIP.

Area — Early Settlers — Autobiography of Mr. Howell — O’Fallon — St. Peters —

Mechanicsville — Hamburg — Weldon Springs — Cottleville — Gilmore — Peruque

Fort — Churches — Biographical.

This township occupies the central position of the county, and
extends from the Missouri to the Mississippi rivers, embracing about
100 square miles.

Peter Audrain was a native of France, but came to America at an
early date, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he married Margaret
Moore. He subsequently moved to Detroit, Mich., where he became
an influential citizen and was marshal of the Territory at the time of
his death. He had seven children, three of whom, James H., Peter
G. and Margaret, settled in Missouri. James H. was born in Penn¬
sylvania, December 29, 1782, and was married to Mary E. Wells, of
Louisville, Ky., December 23, 1806. He settled at Fort Wayne,
Ind., and engaged in merchandising. During the War of 1812 he was
commissioned captain of volunteers, and saw some hard service. He
was afterward appointed colonel of militia. In 1816 he moved his
family to Missouri in a flat boat, and after remaining a short time at
St. Louis he settled on Peruque creek, in St. Charles county, where
he soon after built a mill and a distillery. The mill was run by a
tread-wheel, on which he worked young bulls, and he often had as
many as 20 of these animals at one time. This led a loquacious citi¬
zen of the community to give it the name of “ Bull’s Hell Mill,” by
which it became generally known. In 1830 Col. Audrain was elected
a member of the Legislature, and died November 10, 1831, at the
house of Gov. Clark, in St. Louis. His remains were conveyed to
his home in a hearse, which was the first hearse ever seen in St. Charles
county. When Audrain county was organized, in 1836, it was named
in honor of Col. Audrain. Mrs. Audrain died about three years after
the death of her husband. Their children were: Samuel W., Peter
G., James H., Margaret, Benjamin O., Ann A., Francis B., Thomas
B. and Mary F. The latter was born on the flat-boat, in 1816, while
they were ascending the Mississippi river. Col. Audrain and his wife
were baptized in Peruque creek below his mill. The Colonel was a
(448)

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

449

very stout man, and won a wager of $10 in St. Charles one day, by
carrying eight bushels of wheat, at one time, up three flights of stairs.

Randall Biggs settled in St. Charles county, in 1799. He mar¬
ried Susan Perkett. They were both of German descent. Their
children were : William, Malinda, Lucretia, Elvira, Mary and Silas P.

Boyd came from the Northern part of Ireland, and settled in Vir¬
ginia at a very early date. In 1772, he was killed by the Indians and
left a widow and three children : William, Margaret and John. Will¬
iam was appointed Indian agent for the State of Mississippi, where
he lived and died. Margaret married Garvin, and settled in Pennsyl¬
vania, where they raised a large family of children. Three of their
sons, Alexander, John and Benjamin, settled in St. Charles county,
in 1822. Alexander married Mattison, and their children were : Mar¬
garet, Anna, Permelia, Jane, Alexander and Fannie. John Boyd
was quite young when his father was killed, and he was raised by a
Mr. Gordon of Virginia. During the Revolutionary War he served as
a ranger and scout in the American army. He was married in 1800,
to Elizabeth Davis of Virginia, and they had nine children : Gordon
D., Cary A., William A., Margaret E., James H., Mary S., John N.,
Amasa P. and Maria. Gordon D. was a physician and moved to
Mississippi. He died of cholera, in New Orleans, in 1832, while on
his way to Texas. Cary A. married Elizabeth Bailey, and settled in
Pike county, Mo. William A. settled in St. Charles county, in 1837.
He married Elizabeth Poague, of Keutucky, and she died, leaving
eight children. Her father was a justice of the peace in St. Charles
county for ten years. Margaret E. married Maj. James G. Bailey,
a soldier of the War of 1812, and they settled in St. Charles county,
in 1830. She died leaving four children. James H. lived' in Jackson,
Miss., where he engaged in mercantile business, and was elected
Mayor of the town. Mary S. married Edmond P. Mathews, of Ken¬
tucky, and they settled in St. Charles county, Mo., in 1836. She
had five children, and is still living in Pike county, Mo. John N.
settled in St. Charles county in 1839. He married Mahaley Hughes,
and thev both died, leaving two children. Amasa died in Missis-

a/ ' O

sippi. Maria died while a child.

The Baughs were doubtless of German descent ; but there is no au¬
thentic record of the origin of the family, beyond the fact that three
brothers of that name settled near Jamestown, Va., at an early date.
Abram, a son of one of these brothers, married Judith Column, of
Powhatan county, and by her he had Joseph, Thomas M., Edsa,
William, Alexander, Abram, Jesse, Mary, Judith and Rhoda.

450

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Joseph married Nancy Gentry, and settled in Madison county, Ky.,
in 1781, and in 1816 removed to St. Charles county, Mo. He
served five vears in the Revolutionary War. His children were:
William, Benjamin, Judith, Alsey, Nancy, Mary, Patsey and Lu¬
cinda. William married Susan Carter, of Kentucky, and settled in
St. Charles county, Mo., but removed from there to Montgomery
couuty in 1832. His first wife died, and he was married the second
time to Mrs. Nancy S. Haslip, whose maiden name was Chambers.

Robert Baldbridge was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to America
and settled in Kentucky, where he married Hannah Fruit. He subse¬
quently moved to Missouri, and was one of the first settlers of St.
Charles county. He obtained the Spanish grant of land on which
Pond Fort was built. His children were Daniel, James, Malachi,
John, Robert, Jr., Alexander, Elizabeth, Mary, Grace and Nancy.
Malachi and two companions, Price and Lewis, were killed by Indians
while hunting on Loutre Prairie. Shortly after, Daniel, in order to
have revenge for his brother’s death, tracked a party of Indians to
their camp at night and shot their chief as he sat by the camp fire.
He then concealed himself in the tall grass and watched the Indians
searching for him; but thev failed to find him. James and John
were successful business men, and always had money to loan. A
man named Hutchins once borrowed $300 in silver quarters from
John, and carried the money home in a calico bag. Finding that he
would not need it, he returned the money at the end of three mouths
and offered to pay interest. But Balbridge said he could not think
of accepting interest from a man who had kept his money safe for
him that length of time ; “ because,” said he, “ if I had kept it some
rascal would have stolen it.” When James died he had several boxes
filled with gold and silver money. Robert, Jr., planted a cherry tree,
and when it grew large enough, he had it manufactured into lumber,
from which he had his coffin made, and when he died, he was buried
in it. Robert and John were rangers in Callaway’s company during
the Indian War. After the close of the war John moved to the Gas¬
conade country and built a large saw mill in the pineries ; but it did
not prove to be a paying investment and subsequently passed into the
hands of other parties. Elizabeth Balbridge married John Scott, and
their son, Hiram, was killed at Callaway’s defeat. He was a man of
great daring, and Callaway placed much confidence in him. Daniel
married Kate Huffman; James, Margaret Zumwalt; Robert, Jr.,
married Peggy Ryebolt ; Grace married John Howell, and Nancy
married Frederick Price.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

451

John Boyd, of Ireland, came to America before the Revolution.
He had two sons, John and William. The latter was a gunsmith, and
in the War of 1812 he was commissioned captain of volunteers. In
his company were six of his apprentices, all of whom were killed in
the same battle. Capt. Boyd married Ruth Carr, of Pennsylvania,
and settled in Spencer county, Ky., in 1792. In 1829 he came to
Missouri, and, selecting a location in St. Charles county for his future
residence, he returned to Kentucky, but died before he had completed
his arrangements for moving. His widow and children came to St.
Charles county in 1830. The names of the children were : Elizabeth,
John, Elijah, Hiram, Jane, James, Emeline, William, Ruth, Alexander
T. and Thomas C. John married a Miss Clemens; Elijah married
Fannie Thomas ; Jane was married in Kentucky, to Joseph Brown ;
Emeline married James Cochran ; Aleck T. married Medora Roberts;
Thomas C. married Ruth Allen ; Ruth married Wade Monday ; Will¬
iam went to California and died there ; James never married, and died
in St. Charles county; Hiram married Rebecca Datson, of Lincoln
county ; Elizabeth married Alexander W. Thomas, and settled in
Kentucky.

Dr. Samuel Campbell and his wife, Sally Alexander, were natives
of Rockbridge county, Ya. They had 10 children, of whom William
M., the subject of this sketch, was the fifth. He was born in January,
1805, and after having received a fair education at home was placed
under the instruction of Rev. William Graham, at what was then
called the “ Cog College,” but which was subsequently named Wash¬
ington University, and is now known as Washington and Lee Univer¬
sity, at Lexington, Ya. Here he qualified himself for the practice of
law, and at the age of 24 came to Missouri with his brother-in-law.
Dr. Robert McClure, who settled in St. Charles county. Young
Campbell remained two years with his brother-in-law, hunting and amus¬
ing himself, and then went to St. Charles and commenced the practice of
law. He remained in St. Charles until 1843, when he removed to St.
Louis, where he died January 2, 1850. Mr. Campbell wielded a large
influence in his adopted State, and served as a member of the Legisla¬
ture during the greater portion of his residence here. He was the
editor of the St. Charles Clarion for some time, and also of the St.
Louis New Era , by which means his influence and reputation were
greatly extended.

Warren Cottle, of Yermont, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He
had six children : Warren, Ira, Oliver, Stephen, Marshall and Letitia.
Warren was a physician, and came with his father to Missouri in 1799.

452

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

He married his cousin, Salvine Cottle, and they had eight children:
Oliver, Alonzo, Fidelo, Alvora, Lorenzo, Paulina, Ora and O’Fallon.
Ira also married his cousin, Susan Cottle, and they had six children :
Levi, Harriet, Warner, Ira, Joseph and Mary J. Oliver married
Charity Lowe, and they raised 13 children: Royal, Leroy, Oliver,
Mary, Orville, Priscilla, Lethe, Juliet, John, Ira, Julius, Ellen and
Cordelia. Stephen married, but died without issue. Marshall died
single. Letitia married and died childless.

Lorenzo Cottle, son of Dr. Warren Cottle, founded the town of Cot-
tleville, in St. Charles county, in 1840.

Charles Denny, of Germany, settled within the limits of the State
of Missouri while the country belonged to Spain. He married Rachel
Clark, and they had eight children : Christine, Magdaline, Mary, Ann,
Charles, John and Raphael. Mr. Denny was an herb doctor, and
treated the simple classes of diseases. He was also something of a
dentist, and pulled teeth for the people when they came to him for
that purpose. He lived on Dardenne creek, where he built a water¬
mill, which supplied the people of the vicinit}r with meal and flour for
many years. He finally grew tired of milling, and erected a distillery,
but this did not pay well, and he went back to his former occupation.
In the meantime, his wife had lost her eye-sight, but could recognize
her old acquaintances by their voices. She could still give the history
of every person in the county, and it was quite interesting to hear her
converse about early times in Missouri. Denny finally sold his mill
and removed to the Fever Rivet lead mines, where he was unfortu¬
nate and lost all his property. He then returned to Dardenne, and
with the assistance of his old neighbors repurchased his mill.

Benjamin Emmons and his wife came from one of the Eastern States
and settled on Dardenne prairie, near the present town of Cottleville,
in St. Charles county. Several years afterward he removed to the
town of St. Charles and opened a hotel. He was also elected justice
of the peace, and being a man of education and intelligence was chosen
by the people of his county to represent them in the first State Con¬
stitutional Convention, which met at St. Louis in 1820. He afterward
served in both houses of the Legislature for several terms, to the en¬
tire satisfaction of his constituents. In 1832 St. Charles was visited
by that dreadful pestilence the Asiatic cholera, and many persons were
swept into untimely graves. Mr. Emmons fearlessly offered his assist¬
ance to the afflicted, and nursed the sick night and day, thereby
saving many lives. He was assisted in this good office by a Mr.
Lovering Lawson, proprietor of the ferry at St. Charles. Mr. Em-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

453

mons had two children: Daphney and Benjamin, Jr. Daphney
married a Mr. Cloud, who was the first editor of the St. Charles Mis¬
sourian. He died, and she afterward married Alonzo Robinson, a
school teacher, who moved to California and died. Benjamin, Jr.,
was county and circuit clerk of St. Charles county for many years,
and is now circuit clerk.

Benjamin Ferrell, of Mecklenburg county, Ya., had two children:

Hutchings and Martha. Hutchings was a merchant, and married

Mary Pennington, of Virginia. They had four children : Frederick,

Benjamin, Martha and Hutchings, Jr. Frederick settled in St.

Charles county in 1833, and never married. Benjamin P. came with

his mother to St. Charles countv in 1832 and married Sallie Hutch-

ings, and they had two children : Ann and Alexander. Martha died
single, in 1828. Hutchings, Jr., married Ann Hutchings and set¬
tled in St. Charles county in 1832. They had four children :
Martha S., Robert W., William P. and Benjamin H. Mrs. Ferrell
died and he was married the second time to the widow of John
McClenny, who had one child, Redman M. By his last wife
Mr. Ferrell has had six children : Mahala, Henry, Drucilla, Susan and
Jennie.

James Green emigrated from North Carolina in 1797 and settled
first in St. Louis county, where he remained two years. In 1799 he
removed to St. Charles county and settled on what has since been
known as Green’s Bottom, where he obtained a Spanish grant for 800
arpents of land. Mr. Green, who was a plain, honest farmer, had a
passion for running for office, and was a candidate at nearly every
election. He was always defeated, but did not seem to mind that,
being satisfied, apparently, with the pleasure it afforded him to be a
candidate. The largest number of votes he ever received at any elec¬
tion was 70, and the smallest 11. He married in North Carolina and
raised five children : Robert, John, James, Squire and Elizabeth.

The next settler in Green’s Bottom was James Flaugherty, who
came there in October, 1799. He received a Spanish grant for 600
arpents of land.

The next settlers in Green’s Bottom, that we have any record of,
were Peter, Joseph and James Jernev, who came there with their
families at a very early date. All received grants of land, and the
liberality of the Spanish authorities soon filled the bottom with enter¬
prising settlers.

Robert Guthrie was a native of Scotland, but emigrated to America

3 O

and settled first in Virginia,, from whence he removed to Williamson

454

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

county, Tenn. He had five children: William, David, Samuel T.,
Robert and Finley. Samuel T. and Robert settled in St. Charles
county, Mo., in 1819, and the former assessed the county in 1820.
In 1821 he removed to Callaway county. Robert married Matilda H.
Maury, a sister of the celebrated Lieut. M. F. Maury, of the U. S.
navy. They had nine children: Diana, Eliza L., Harriet, Richard
M., John M., Mathew F., Robert M., Cornelia J. and Mary. These
are all dead except Eliza, Mathew F., Robert M. and Mary.

John Gill, of Scotland, married Margaret Pitner, of Cumberland
county, Ya., and they had four children: Mary, Elizabeth, Sally and
John. Mary married Archibald Bilboa, of Kentucky, and after their
deaths their children moved to Indiana. Elizabeth married James
Martin, and they removed to Missouri and settled in St. Charles
county ; they had five children. John married Mary Watts and settled
in St. Charles county, Mo., in 1821. He was a carpenter and worked
two years in St. Louis before he went to St. Charles. They bad 10
children: Margaret A., Peter W., Sarah A., Elizabeth M., William
I., John P., Bently T., Adam F., Lucy G. and Mary B. Mrs. Gill
had a sister (Mrs. McFall) who was scalped by the Indians, but
recovered.

A Mr. Heald, of England, settled in Massachusetts at a very early
date. He was married twice, and by his first wife he had two sons,
Nathan and Jones. Nathan was born in April, 1775. He received a
military education, and entered the army as lieutenant, but was soon
promoted to the rank of captain, and at the commencement of the
War of 1812, he was placed in command of Fort Dearborne, where
Chicago now stands. Here they were attacked by a large body of
Indians, who captured the fort, murdered the garrison, and carried
Capt. Heald and his young wife away as prisoners into their own
country. During his captivity he was promoted to the rank of major,
but did not receive his commission until after he had been exchanged.
In 1827 Maj. Heald came to Missouri with his family and settled in
St. Charles county, not very far from the town of O’Fallon, where he
spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1832 leaving a widow
and three children : Mary, Darius and Margaret. Mary married David
McCausland. Darius is now living on the old place. He was married
twice ; first to Virginia Campbell and second to Mattie Hunter. He
had seven children. Margaret died unmarried in 1837. Jones
Heald, brother of Maj. Nathan Heald, never married. He lived in
St. Louis until after the death of his brother, when he went to St.
Charles county, and lived part of the time at the house of his sister-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

455

in-law and part at Judge Balis\ He died in St. Louis not many
years ago.

George Huffman was a native of Pennsylvania, but removed to
Buckingham county, Va., where he married and lived until 1789,
when he brought his family to Missouri. He had five children : Peter,
Christiana, George, Catherine and Elizabeth. Peter was a soldier in
the War of 1812. He married Susan Senate, of Kentucky, and they
had 13 children (the names of 11 of them were Elizabeth, Mar¬
garet, John, Sarah, George, Abraham, Maria, Lucinda, Lucretia,
Elijah and Cassander). Christiana married Daniel Baldridge: George
married Catharine Wolf, and they had five children : Peter, Elizabeth,
William, Abraham and James ; Catharine married Henrv Haver-
stakes; Elizabeth married John Weldon.

Charles and Peter Hutchings lived in Virginia. Peter married
Elizabeth Brim, and they had eight children : John, Peter W., Eliza¬
beth W., David, Washington, Charles, Ann and Sally. David,
Washington, Charles, Ann and Sally all came to St. Charles county,
in 1831. Susan married William Peebles, and settled in Williamson
county, Tenn. The other two children remained in Virginia. David
married twice, first to Sally Butler, and second to Polly Lett. Wash¬
ington also married twice, first to Nancy Wooten, and second to the
widow Brumwell, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Harris. Ann
married Hutchings Ferrell. Sally was married twice, first to Ben¬
jamin Ferrell, and second to Robert McIntosh.

John Howell was born in Pennsylvania, but moved to North Caro¬
lina, where he had three sons: John, Thomas and Francis. John
moved to Tennessee, where he died, leaving a widow and four children.
Thomas lived in South Carolina until after the Revolutionary War.
He married a Miss Bearfield. Francis married Susan Stone, dauodi-
ter of Benjamin Stone, of South Carolina, and emigrated to what is
now the State of Missouri in 1797. He first settled 30 miles west of
St. Louis in (now) St. Louis county, where he lived three years, and
then removed to (now) St. Charles county and settled on what has
since been known as Howell’s Prairie. Soon after his settlement
there he built a mill, which was called a “ band mill,” because it was
run by a long band. This was doubtless the first mill erected north
of the Missouri river, except perhaps a small one at St. Charles. Some
time afterward Mr. Howell built another mill on his farm, which was
run by a large cog-wheel, and was called a “ cog mill.” His place
was a noted resort during early times. Musters and drills were fre¬
quently held there, and Indian agents, in conducting Indians to and

^ 24

456

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

from St. Louis, often stopped there for supplies. Mr. Howell died in
1834, iu his seventy-third year, and his wife died eight years afterward.
They had 10 children : John, Thomas, Sarah, Newton, Francis, Jr., Ben¬
jamin, Susan L., Lewis, James F. and Nancy. John was married three
times, and died in his eighty-seventh year, leaving nine children. He
was a ranger in Capt. James Callaway’s company. Thomas married
Susannah Callaway, sister of Capt. Callaway, in whose company he
also served as a ranger. They had 14 children. Mr. Howell died in
his eighty-fifth year. Newton married the widow Rachel Long. They
had 10 children, and he died in his seventv-fourth year. Francis,
Jr., married the widow Polly Ramsey, who was the daughter of
James and Martha Meek. He died in his eighty-second year,
and his widow is still living in her eighty-seventh year. They
had no children. Mr. Howell served as a ranger two years,
part of the time in Capt. Callaway’s company, and was colonel of
militia for five years. Benjamin married Mahala Castilo, and they
had 12 children. He died in his sixty-third year. He was captain
of a company of rangers for two years. Susan married Larkin S.
Callaway, son of Flanders Callaway, and died at the age of 33 years.
She had seven children. James F. married Isabella Morris, and died
in his thirty-third year. Nancy was married twice ; first to Capt. James
Callaway, and after his death married John H. Castilo. Lewis re¬
ceived a classical education and followed the profession of a teacher
for many years. Some of the best educated men and women of the
State received instruction from him. His life has been an eventful
one, dating back to the very earliest period of our Commonwealth,
and as it cannot fail to be of interest to the reader we here present the
following autobiographical sketch, which he kindly prepared for this
work at the solicitation of the compilers : —

“ When I was eight or nine years old, I went to school to an Irish¬
man, about a year and a half, who taught school near where I lived.
In about a vear and a half after this, I went to school a few months
to a gentleman named Prospect K. Robbins, from Massachusetts,
and when I was nearly 12 years old I went to the same gentleman
again for a few months and made considerable progress during this
term in arithmetic. The War of 1812 then came on, and I was
nearly stopped from pursuing my studies. I studied as I had an
opportunity. After the war, I was placed by my father in a school
in the city of St. Louis, taught by a Mr. Tompkins, who afterward
became one of the Supreme Judges of this State. I did not continue
in this school long, but was brought to St. Charles and placed in care

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

457

of Ml*. U. J. Devore, with whom I remained several months. En¬
glish grammar was my principal study while at St. Louis and
St. Charles. I was now about 16, and when about 17, as
my old teacher, U. J. Devore, had been elected sheriff, he selected
me for his deputy. I was accordingly sworn in and entered the
service, as young as I was. There were but two counties at this
time north of the Missouri river — St. Charles and Howard — 'the
former of which embraced the counties of St. Charles, Warren, Mont¬
gomery, Lincoln and Pike. There were no settlements any further
west at this time until you came to the Boone’s Lick country, em¬
braced in Howard. I had to ride over the five counties before named,
collecting taxes, serving writs, etc. I continued in this business a few
months, when I relinquished the office of deputy and entered the store
of J. and G. Collier, in St. Charles, as one of the clerks. I remained
with them a few months, and as my father and Mr. John Collier, the
elder of the brothers, could not agree on the terms of remaining with
them, I went back to my father’s farm, where I labored a short
time, when my father, having some business in Kentucky, took me with
him to that State. On our return to Missouri, we overtook a small
family on the road, moving to our State, by the name of Reynolds,
originally from the city of Dublin, in Ireland. Reynolds and my
father got into conversation, and he appeared so well pleased with the
description my father gave him of this section, that he determined,
before we separated, to come to the neighborhood where we were liv¬
ing. With this gentleman, whom I believe was a profound linguist,

I commenced the study of the Latin language. I can say without
egotism, that I am very certain I was the first person that commenced
the study of Latin between the two great rivers, Missouri and Missis¬
sippi. I found it very difficult to get the necessary books, and had to
send to Philadelphia for the author my teacher recommended. With
him I read Ovid, Caesar, Virgil, Horace and a few others. Shortly
after this (as Mr. Reynolds had left the State) I went and spent a few
months wfith my old teacher, Gen. P. K. Robbins, where, and with
whom, I studied a few mathematical branches, and this closed my
literary studies at school. I finally gave up studying medicine, which
I had long contemplated, and came home to my father. I was now
about 21 years of age, and several of the neighbors and some of my
relations being very anxious that I should teach school for them, I at
last yet somewhat reluctantly consented, and accordingly taught school
a few months, and was not very well pleased with the avocation.

“About this time there was considerable talk about the province of

458

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Texas, and about the inducements that were held out for persons to
emigrate to that country. In consequence of this stir about Stephen
F. Austin’s colony, a company of us agreed to pay it a visit and ex->
amine the country and ascertain the prospects of getting land ; but
finally gave out going except my brother Frank and myself. We,
therefore, alone left Missouri, January 22, 1822, for the Spanish prov¬
ince of Texas, which, however, we never reached. Having gone 50
or 60 miles south of Fed river, my brother, who was seven or eight
years older than myself, and of more experience, thought it was im¬
prudent to proceed further, on account of the difficulties in the way.
We therefore retraced our steps and arrived home between the first
and middle of March. I labored on my father’s farm until fall, and
in October, when a few months over 22, I left home for the State of
Louisiana. I took a steamboat at St. Louis and landed at Iberville
early in November. This place was about 90 miles above New Or¬
leans, where I remained until spring, having been employed by a
physician (a prominent man of the parish) to teach his and a neigh¬
bor’s children, and to regulate his books, etc., he having an extensive
practice. I was treated rather badly by him, and in the spring I went
down to the city of New Orleans and took passage on a steamboat,
and returned to Missouri and commenced farming, my father having
given me a piece of land which I commenced improving. A year or
two previous to this, I went a session to a military school, taught by
an old revolutionary officer. I took, at this time, a considerable
interest in military tactics, and a year or two after this, was appointed
and commissioned adjutant of the St. Charles militia, my brother
Frank being colonel of the regiment. This office I held for several
years, when I resigned, it being the only military office I ever held;
and the only civil office I ever had was that of deputy sheriff, as
already stated. After this time, I turned my attention to farming
and teaching, and in June, 1833, I married Serena Lamme, the daugh¬
ter of William T. and Francis Lamme, and great-grand-daughter of
Col. Daniel Boone, the pioneer of Kentucky. I was then in my thirty-
fourth year. 'We have had six children, three of whom have already
gone to the grave ; the youngest of those living being now about 31
years old. I still continued teaching, and kept a boarding school;
and had my farm also carried on, until the close of the Civil War when
I stopped farming, as the servants I owned had been liberated. I
therefore rented out my farm, moved to the little village of Mechan-
icsville, where I built and commenced a boarding school, being assisted
by an eminent vou ng ladv, a graduate of one of the female seminaries

HISTORY OF $T. CHARLES COUNTY.

459

of Missouri. This school was carried on for five sessions, the last two
or three mostly by the young lady before named, as my health had
somewhat failed. I have relinquished all public business whatever ;
I cultivate my little garden with my own hands ; am now in my
seventy-sixth year; enjoy tolerable good health for one of my age;
can ride 35 or 40 miles in a day, and I believe I could walk 20. I
am a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which I have belonged
for upwards of 50 years. I attribute my health and advanced age to
my temperate habits, having never yielded to dissipation of any kind.”

John Hatcher was a soldier in the ^Revolutionary War, and after¬
ward served 21 years in the Legislature of Virginia. He married
Nancy Gentry, of Cumberland county, Va., and they had 16 children
of whom the following lived to be grown : Nancy, Susan, Polly,
Joseph, Samuel, John, Elizabeth, Martha, Henry and Frederick. John
and Henry came to St. Charles county in 1837. John had previously
married a Miss Flippin, and after remaining in St. Charles county a
short time he returned to Virginia. Henry married Susan A.
Spears, daughter of John Spears .and Margaret Bates. They had
12 children: Ann M., Caroline, Charlotte V., Frederick, Martha,
Mary E., Sally M., Permelia, Wortley, John H., Henrietta and
Samuel. Ann M. married Strother Johnson ; Caroline married Hon.
Barton Bates, son of Hon. Edward Bates ; Charlotte V. married
Daniel H. Brown ; Frederick never married ; Martha died in child¬
hood ; Mary E. married George W. Jackson ; Sally M. married Pey¬
ton A. Brown; Permelia married William E. Chaneyworth ; Wortley
died when she was a young lady ; John H. married Caroline Harris ;
Henrietta and Samuel are unmarried.

John Hendricks was a blacksmith, and had a shop, first at
Audrain’s mill on Peruque creek, but afterward removed to Mr. David
K. Pittman’s. He married a daughter of Phillip Sublett, and sister
of William Sublett, the noted mountaineer. Hendricks was an eccen¬
tric genius and fond of playing pranks on other people. While he
was living at Audrain’s mill he played a trick on his neighbor, Mr.
Robert Guthrie, that came near being the cause of his death. A
stream of water ran through Mr. Guthrie’s farm, across which he had
felled a log that he used as a foot bridge. One night Hendricks
sawed the log nearlv in two, from the under side, and next morning
when Mr. Guthrie went to cross the creek upon it it suddenly sank
with him into the water, and he had a narrow escape from drowning,
as the water was very deep at that place. At another time Hendricks
found some buzzards’ eggs and sold them to Mrs. Felix Scott for a

460

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

new kind of duck eggs. She was very proud of her purchase, and
took a great deal of pains to hatch the eggs under a favorite old hen.
But when the “ducks” came, and she saw what they were, she
passed into a state of mind that might have been called vexation.
Hendricks had a large wen cut out of his hip, and during the opera¬
tion he coolly smoked his pipe, as if nothing unusual was trans¬
piring.

Jacob, John, Joseph, Daniel and Samuel Keithley came from North
Carolina, and settled in Bourbon county, Ky. John married and raised
a large family of children, some of whom settled in Texas and Cali¬
fornia. Joseph married in Kentucky, and had but one son, John, who
settled in Boone county, Mo. Daniel married Mary Mooler, and the
names of their children were: Joseph, John, Isaac, Daniel, Jr., Will¬
iam Iv. and Katy. Samuel lived and died in Tennessee. Jacob
married Barbara Rowland, and moved to Warren county, Ky., where
he died. His children were : Absalom, Jacob, John, Samuel, Obadiah,
Rowland, William, Levi, Daniel, Tabitha, Isaac, Polly, Elizabeth,
Katy, Patsey, Sally. Daniel Keithley, son of Daniel, Sr., married
Miss Hostetter, and they had a daughter named Kate, who was the
largest woman in the world, weighing 675 pounds. She died when
22 years of age (children of Jacob Keithley, Sr.). Abraham married
Tennie Rowland, and settled in Missouri in 1806. He had four chil¬
dren, and was killed by his horse in Cuivre river, in 1813. His widow
afterward married John Shelley. John married Polly Clay pole, and
lived and died in Kentucky. Joseph married Elizabeth Burket, of St.
Charles county, Mo. Samuel settled in the city of St. Charles in 1808.
He was married twice, first to Polly Burket, and second to Mrs. Nancy
Pulliam. He had 22 children by his two wives, and shortly before he
died he gave a dinner to his children and grand-children, of whom
there were 82 present. He died in 1871. Rowland was married twice.
He settled in St. Charles county in 1816, where he remained two
years and then removed to Pike county. William came to St. Charles
county in 1812. He joined the Rangers under Nathan Boone, and
served with them one year, when he joined Capt. Callaway’s company.
He was married first to Charlotte Castlio, who died in 1857, and he
then married the widow Duncan, who was a daughter of James Loyd.
Mr. Keithley was still living, in his eighty-fourth year, in 1875. He
had eight children, four of whom are living, viz. : Mrs. Pauline Sharp
and Mrs. Elizabeth Wray, of St. Louis ; Mrs. Ruth Savage, of Wentz-
ville, and Mrs. Adeline Ward. The names of those who are dead,
were: John, Samuel W., Lucy and Francis M. Samuel came to St.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

461

Charles county in 1818, and died in 1862. He was married twice ;
first to a Miss Owens, and second to Emma Wellnoth. He had six
children. Absalom settled in St. Charles county in 1818. He mar¬
ried Cenia Cast.lio, and they had 11 children. Obadiah settled in St.
Charles county in 1825, and moved to Texas in 1869. He was married
twice. Polly married Isaac Hostetter, of Kentucky, who settled in
St. Charles county in 1806. Elizabeth married Joseph Rowland, who
came to Missouri and remained one year, and then returned to Ken¬
tucky, where he died. Katy married Peter Graves, and lived in Ten¬
nessee. Patsy married Alfred Dithmyer, and settled in Illinois.

o’ FALLON.

This town was laid out in 1857, and named for Mr. O’Fallon, a well-
known capitalist of St. Louis, who at the time was a member of the
board of directors of the old North Missouri Railway. Nicholas
Krekel, a brother of Judge Arnold Krekel, personally superintended
the survey and platting of the village, and Mr. Krekel was appointed
postmaster in 1857, and still occupies that office. The first church
was built in 1857, it being Assumption Roman Catholic, of which
more extended mention is made hereafter. The first public school was
opened in 1869, by a Mr. A. Bradley.

A Catholic convent is located here. The institution is a very flour¬
ishing one, containing upon an average about one hundred sisters of
the society of the “ Precious Blood,” many of whom are continually
engaged in teaching throughout the country districts about O’Fallon.
The first Mother Superior was Sister Augustina, who, some years ago
went to Europe, being succeeded by Sister Armella. The institute of
learning, formerly connected with the convent, has been removed to
St. Louis, and no scholars are now instructed at the convent, the
commodious brick buildings, erected at a cost of about $35,000,
being devoted exclusively as a headquarters for the sisters of the
order.

O’Fallon is one of the most flourishing towns in the county, and
contains many fine stores and residences, being an extensive shipping
point.

ST. PETERS.

The town of St. Petefs is located in Dardenne township, 10 miles
west of St. Charles, on the low lands adjacent to Dardenne creek.
The first settler was Joseph Trenly, who came into the vicinity
in 1823, although there was no effort made to create a village

462

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

until 1868, when the present plat and survey was perfected by
Henry Reineke and H. Deppe, who laid out the town. Tradition
has it that as far back as 1819, the Jesuits established a mission
school on the hills, now included in the town, but it is not posi¬
tively known where the school was located. Connected with the
flourishing Catholic church, mentioned hereafter, is a large and
successful parish school, and the town also has the advantages of
a good graded public school system.

The various branches of mercantile business are well represented,
it being at the junction of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific, and
St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern Railways.

The vicinity of St. Peters has alwavs been an attractive locality

%J V

for hunters. Four miles north of the town is located the club
house, owned by the Dardenne club, of St. Louis, and about eight
miles east, the Richfield Club, of St. Louis, have erected a fine
headquarters, whither, in the shooting season, the resident mem¬
bers, with their friends, repair to enjoy the finest of field sport.

In 1882 the village was literally overflowed by the waters of
Dardenne creek. The event resulted in considerable damage to
property, and created a sudden demand for high residence property ►

MECH ANICSVILLE .

The village of Mechanicsville is situated in Dardenne township,
and is comparatively a new town, having been laid out in 1866, by
John H. and Fortunatus Castilo, who were natives of Tennessee,
and who lived for years before the town was founded on a farm just
north of the village. The town has a small population, yet it
rejoices in being a seat of learning. Owing to the munificent gener¬
osity of Francis Howell, “ Howell Institute ” was founded and loca¬
ted at Mechanicsville. Mr. Howell came from North Carolina at an
early day and settled in what has since been known as Howell’s Prai¬
rie, in Dardenne township. He was the father of the Mrs. Callaway
whose husband -was killed at the battle of Loutre Lick. During his
life he had taken great interest in all educational matters, and dying
in 1874, left a fund for the establishment of a school for the higher
education of the youth of the country. A very neat and attractive
building has been erected, and its reputation as an excellent school is
rapidly becoming known. It is strictly non-sectarian, which fact
largely adds to its usefulness.

Mechanicsville Lodge No. 260 , A. F. & A. M. — Was organized
in 1867 under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State of

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

463

Missouri. The following were its first officers : John L. Martin, W.
W. : Mortimer Stollard, S. W. ; William McClure, J. W. ; Alfred
McClure, Treas. ; F. M. Audrain, Sec. ; John Swearer, S. D. ; Theo¬
dore Diehr, J. D., and P. H. Fulkerson, Tyler. The lodge now has
40 members.

About Mechanicsville there is a very fine farming country, mostly
prairie land. The soil is adapted to all kinds of crops, and large
quantities of grain are annually harvested and shipped from 'this
vicinity.

HAMBURG.

The town of Hamburg is located about two miles from the Mis¬
souri river in this township, and is 16 miles from St. Charles.
The town was laid out and platted in 1840, by Henry Schneider, who,
assisted by Jacob Smith and William Koenig, built the first house in
the town. Like all country villages Hamburg has had to depend upon
the country about it for all its business, and in every respect it has
held an enviable position with its sister towns. The usual number
of churches, and the best educational privileges are enjoyed by its
inhabitants.

WELDON SPRINGS.

Weldon Springs is a small hamlet in Dardenne township, situated
about 10 miles from St. Charles. The town is beautifully located in
a charming valley, and possesses all the interesting features of an old-
fashioned German village. A neat brick church and several stores
constitute the town, which was settled by German immigrants about
the year 1849.

COTTLEVILLE.

The first settler at Cottleville was Lorenzo Cottle, who secured a
grant of land from the Spanish government previous to 1803. The
town which takes its name from Mr. Cottle is located in Dardenne
township, about 10 miles west of St. Charles. For many years the
town did not progress very rapidly, and it was not until the advent of
the Pitman family, who came from Kentucky, that the place began to
take a position as one of the leading villages of the county. John
Pitman came to the county in 1810, and settled on the present family
homestead, situated about one and a half miles west of the town proper.
He purchased the farm from George Huffman who came prior to 1803,
from Kentucky, the place being part of the original Spanish grant,
and included in the property ceded to the Cottles and Huffmans.

Aaron Rutger, a Hollander, was one of the early settlers of the

464

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

vicinity. He came prior to 1809, and afterwards built two water¬
mills on Dardenne creek, a few miles west of the village. Nathaniel
Simons came from New England at an early day, and at one time
owned a portion of the village site.

Nicholas Countz, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, moved into the county
about the same time, and with his two brothers resided about one
half mile south of Cottleville. The town is located on the old Boone’s
Lick road, and there is a landing on the Missouri river, distant about
three miles.

Any historical reference to Cottleville, without mention of the Pit¬
man famity would be incomplete, for to the efforts of this family is due
much of the prosperity that has marked the history of the town. Mr.
David K. Pitman, the last of the family living in St. Charles county,
has left the impress of his broad character and sterling integrity upon
everything connected with the place. He was always renowned for
his hospitality, being for many years an active member of the South¬
ern Methodist Church, in which organization he has repeatedly filled
many responsible positions.

The town has the usual complement of business houses. Good
schools and churches of the various denominations have always been
maintained, and there is an air of comfort and reliability pervading
the quiet but enterprising little town.

GILMORE.

Gilmore is a new town, located at the crossing of the Wabash, St.
Louis & Pacific, and the St. Louis, Hannibal & North-Western Rail¬
ways. The latter company have a repair shop and engine house here,
outside of which the place as yet, possesses but little of particular
interest. One or two business houses and a few dwellings comprise
the town. The location is excellent, and in time Gilmore will un¬
doubtedly become quite a thriving place.

PERUQUE FORT.

During the War of the Rebellion, the long trestle work over Peruque
creek, on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, a tew miles west
of O’Fallon station, was menaced by Marmaduke’s army of Confeder¬
ates, and a block house or fort was erected for the accommodation of
Union soldiers, placed there to guard the trestle. The old log fort still
stands near the track. It is built in a particularly strange and attrac¬
tive style, the upper story consisting of logs, laid in the shape of a
diamond across the square story arising from the ground. On both

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

465

sides of the points of the diamond were cut small windows and loop
holes, and from this elevated position a full view of the trestle could be
had, and the entire property was within range of the guns of the
soldiers quartered there. Small detachments of Union troops garri¬
soned the fort until after the close of hostilities, and Peruque Fort
became quite a noted and historical point.

CHURCHES.

Davdenne Presbyterian Church — One mile east of Dardenne, was
organized in 1818 with seven members, Beverly Tucker, John Naylor
and wife, Mrs. Mary Howell and others. The present membership
numbers 80. Thomas Watson, William Lacy and Hiram Chamber-
lain are the ministers who have for 40 years had charge of this con¬
gregation. The present church was built in 1868, a stone structure,
at a cost of $3,200.

Oakland ill. E. Church South — Located in section 8, township
47, range 1, was organized in 1870 by Rev. Tarwater. Its original
members were Edward Morman and wife, B. T. Ball and J. C. Keith-
ley and others. The membership is now 24. The present pastor is
the Rev. J. H. Collett. Their place of worship is a frame church
building built in 1873 at a cost of $1,000.

Cottleville M. E. Church South — Was organized in 1854, a frame
church being built the same year at a cost of $1,600. The constituent
members were William C. Ellis, S. R. Watts, James T. Sanford, R.
H. Pitman and D. K. Pitman. The present membership numbers
20. The pastors who have served this congregation are Revs. E. M.
Muron, R. N. T. Holliday, J. F. Riggs and William Penn.

Emanuel Evangelical Church — Located at Weldon Springs, was
organized in 1866. Its original members were Louis Werler, Jacob
Schneider, John Yaeger, William P. Farr and John Miller and wife.
The present membership is 33. The names of those who have been
pastors are A. G. Holtz, C. Dorenenburg and W. Gaertner. The
present brick church was built in 1874 at a cost of $3,500. The num¬
ber of scholars in the Sunday-school is 60, and W. Gaertner, the
pastor, is the superintendent.

South Dardenne Presbyterian Church — Located at Mechanics-
ville, was organized and the building erected in 1867. It is a frame
structure and was built at a cost of $1,400. Its original members
were John H. Castlio and Len Howell. The present membership is
40. Thomas Watson is the present pastor. There are 75 scholars
in the Sabbath-school, Robert Dunlap being its superintendent.

Olivet Presbyterian Church — Located in survey 950, township 48,

466

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

range 1, was organized in 1836 by Rev. John S. Ball. The constit¬
uent members were : William C. Logan, Milton McRobert, Thomas
Hill, William Porter, Sarah B. Logan, Harriet McRoberts, Elizabeth
Lee, Ann Porter, Diana Hamilton, Gracy Linn, Elizabeth Linn, Mary
Linn and Ann Ball. The present membership is 80. The different
pastors who have served this congregation are Revs. John S. Ball, R.
G. Barret, H. Blackwell, J. V. Barks, William J. Lapsley, E. M.
Palmer, O. S. Thompson, William H. Parks, B. Y. Wilkey, C. R.
Dudley, T. C. Smith, A. A. Pfan Stiehl, who is the present pastor.
The present frame church was built in 1874, costing in the neighbor¬
hood of $1,200.

St. John German Evangelical Church — Located at Cottleville,
was organized in 1870, its original members being Henry Slamn,
Henry Pepeper, John Simon, John Gutermuth, Adam Rueffer, John
Phillips and John Huser. The present membership is composed of 27
communicants. The pastors who have served this congregation are
James Hutz,Gotfried Daernenburg, Richard Henschel, William Adoniet,
DanielTrion. The present frame church was built at a cost of $2,500
in 1871.

St. Joseph Catholic Church — Located at Cottleville, was organ¬
ized in 1873. Its original members were John Bose, John G. Phaff,
Frank Mene, Antone Hester, George Raab, Bernard Mene. The
present membership numbers 28. Rev. Father Joseph Reisdorff is
the present rector. This frame church was built in 1873 at a cost of
$6,000.

St. Paul Catholic Church — Was organized in 1858 with Stephen
Marrett, Walter Bows, William Haelen, Martin Menings and oth¬
ers as its original members. The present membership is com¬
posed of 100 families. The names of the pastors were Edward
Hamil and Conrad Tintrup. This is a stone church, being built
the same year of its organization (1853), at a cost of $2,000.

Assumption Roman Catholic Church — Of O’Fallon, was organized
in 1870, the present brick church being constructed the following year,
at a cost of $20,000. The present membership is 350. The original
members were: Antoine Mispagel, Joseph Pieper, Henry Boegel,
Henry Mispagel, F. Westhoff, Henry Hunnies, F. Hockelman, Theo.
Westhoff, Martin Bushmeier, John Genteman, Fritz Schmidt, E.
Garrs, Theo. Burkhoff, Gertrude Roper, Frank Schone, H. Kirch-
hoff, Sr., H. Eike, Joseph Bogel and H. Ahrens. The rectors who
have administered to the spiritual needs of this church have been :
Rev. Father W. Sonnenschein, one year, followed by the Franciscan
Fathers, one year, and the Rev. H. Brockhagen, who is the present

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

467

rector. The parochial school has an attendance of 80, Rev. Father
Brockhagen being its superintendent.

All Saints' Catholic Church — Of St. Peters, was organized some
time previous to 1820. Its constituent members were John Barnard
and family, Isador Barnard and family, two DuBois families, Joseph
Trendley and family, John Gatty and family, John Denne, Mrs.
Denne and sons, and a few others. The present membership is com¬
posed of 104 families. The names of the different pastors who have
served this congregation are : Bishop DuBourke, C. W. Walters, S.
J. ; V. Saillison, H. Van Mierlo, S. J. ; A. Eysvogels, S. J. ; J. Cot-
ting, S. J. ; N. Busschots, S. J. ; J. Schoenmakers, S. J. ; P. M.
Seisl, S. J. ; F. R. Huebner, S. J. ; De Coen, S. J. ; P. Meier, S. J.;
P. Iten, S. J. ; S. Wisniewski, Neuman, Rutkowski, H. Boetzkes,
Charles Wapelhorst, Charles Kellner, George Brucner, M. Staudinger,
W. Sonnenschein, A. Mayers, C. Rotter and M. Staudinger. The
corner-stone of the present brick church was laid in 1874, the edifice
being completed in 1882, at a cost of $60,000. The parochial school
is composed of 125 scholars, conducted by the Sisters of the Precious
Blood. The present rec or is Rev. Father Staudinger. The first
place this congregation worshiped in was a log church, it then being
the only church in St. Charles county. A frame building after this
was followed by a brick, which was succeeded by the present
structure.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

SIMON L. BAER

(Dealer in General Merchandise, St. Peters).

Mr. Baer is one of the energetic, enterprising business men of St.
Charles county, who came over to this country from Germany since
the Civil War. He left Germany in 1878 and came directly to this
county. Up to within three years ago he was engaged in merchan¬
dising at Cottleville, where he had a successful experience and became
well established as one of the substantial, popular business men of
that place. He removed to St. Peters in 1882, and resumed business
at this place. He has one of the largest general stores in this county,
and is doing a flourishing business. Mr. Baer is steadily becoming
one of the substantial merchants of the vicinity, and, unless some
misfortune, out of the usual order, befalls him, before the age of
retirement from active work comes, he will have accumulated an

468

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

ample competence. Mr. Baer was born in Baden, German}7, on the
5th of September, 1846. He was reared and educated in that coun¬
try. He was married August 27, 1879, to Miss Jennie Steinberg, of
St. Louis. They have three children : Josephine, Ollie and Elsie.

HERMANN BALTZER, M. D.

• (Physician and Surgeon, Cottleville).

Dr. Baltzer completed his general education in Europe, and took
his course there in medicine and surgery, graduating with high honor.
He is a young physician of fine accomplishments, with more than
ordinary talent for the medical profession, and a man who, by reason
of his culture and high character, commands the unqualified esteem of
the community. He was born and reared in this county, and was a
son of one of its most highly respected citizens. His father was
Rev. Prof. Adolph Baltzer, formerly of Germany, and for a number
of years the minister of the Evangelical Friedens Church in this
county, near St. Charles, on the so-called Plank Road. He then
became the professor of theology in the German Evangelical Theo¬
logical College of Warren county, located near Marthasville. At the
time of his death he was president of the Evangelical Synod of North
America. Dr. Baltzer’ s mother was a Miss Louisa Van Laer, for¬
merly of Germany. She died in 1871. Rev. Prof. Baltzer, how¬
ever, had been married once before his marriage to Miss Van Laer,
his first wife dying in 1849, in about a year after her marriage. By
the second marriage there were 13 children, 11 of whom are living.
The mother of these died in 1871, and the father was subsequently
married to Miss Olga Hever. The father died in 1880. Dr. Baltzer
was born June 7, 1851, and spent his early youth in St. Charles and
Warren counties. Here he attended the common and high schools,
and in 1869 was sent to Germany, where he matriculated at the Uni¬
versity of Berlin. He was a student there for three years, and then
went to Bavaria, where he studied medicine, taking a regular course
in the medical department of the Wuerzburg University. He grad¬
uated in 1875, and the same year returned to St. Charles county.
In 1876 he was married to Miss Eva Hartman, a daughter of George
and Regina Hartman, formerly of Germany. The Doctor has built
up a good practice and has a neat and comfortable town property.
He is now clerk of the school board, and takes a commendable inter¬
est in the cause of general education.

V O

JOHN C. BINKERT

(Of Binkert & Eohleghnhoepheir, Dealers and General Merchants, Cottleville}.

Mr. Binkert came to Cottleville and engaged in business with his
present partner in 1883. They have an excellent stock of general
merchandise and are building up a good business. Mr. Binkert was
born in this county, September 9, 1853. His parents were Franz and
Wilhelmena (Keiselbaum) Binkert, both natives of Baden. His

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

469

father came over herein comparatively an early day, and was married
in St. Charles county. He died here February 14, 1865, but the
mother is still living. His father was a member of the Catholic
Church, but his mother was a Protestant and a member of the German
Evangelical Church. John C. Binkert was reared in this county and
received a good common-school education. In 1878 he was married
to Miss Mary Marks, a daughter of Schlahn and Mary Marks.
Mr. and Mrs. Binkert have one child, Ida K. He and wife are mem¬
bers of the Evangelical Church. The business in which Mr. Binkert
is at present a partner was started in 1839, and has been running
successfully ever since.

DAVID A. BOETTLOR

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Peters).

Mr. Boettlor was born and raised in this county and has made it his
home from birth. His parents, David and Lizzie (Stephens)
Boettler, were also natives of St. Charles county, and his father died
here in 1860. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, and afterwards,
as before, one of the energetic, well-to-do farmers of the county.
The mother subsequently married Herman Kasper, of Kansas, by
whom she reared five children. By her first union there were four
children, but David A. is the only one living of the first family.
November 8, 1881, he was married to Miss Matilda J. Ernst, a
daughter of Lorenz Ernst, of this county. Mrs. Boettlor was reared
and educated at St. Peters, taking a course in the Catholic convent at
this place. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Catholic Church.
Their only child, a son, died at the age of 15 months.

Rev. FATHER HEINRICH BROCKHAGEN

(Rector of the Catholic Assumption Church, and Editor and Proprietor of the

Katholischer Hausfreund , O’Fallon).

Rev. Father Brockhagen is a native of Germany, born at Garbeck,
August 6, 1833. His father was Johann Brockhagen, a keeper of the
forest, and his mother’s maiden name was Katharine Schmall, both
of ancient German families. Both parents were earnest, consistent
Catholics, and the son, Heinrich, was brought up to the holy Christian
faith as taught by the Mother Church. His early advantages for an
education were good, and the years of his early youth were principally
spent in the local schools of his native place, Garbeck. He was then
sent to the Gymnasium of Arnsberg, where he took an intermediate
course of instruction. Subsequently he entered the Academy of
Muenster, on which he continued until a short time before he came to
America. He came to this country in 1857, and here shortly entered
the Catholic Theological Seminary of Carondelet, where he completed
his college preparatory studies for the priesthood. Father Brockhagen
was regularly ordained a priest by Bishop Kendrick in 1859. He was
then appointed rector of the Church of the Immaculate Conception,

470

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

of Jefferson county, where he served for a period of 17 years. He
came to O’ Fallon in 1876, and took charge of the Assumption Church.
He has ever since held the office of rector of this church. A man of
profound piety and earnest, active zeal in the cause of religion, an
able theologian and an eloquent, successful priest in the work of win¬
ning souls to Christ, he has long held a position in the church in this
part of the country as one of its prominent, worthy and influential
representatives. Too active and energetic to confine himself simply
to the duties of his rectorship, feeling that he could make himself of
additional, and, perhaps, of more effective use, in another sphere of
work, and that if he could, it was his duty to do so, in 1883, with that
object in view, he established the Katholischer Hausfreund newspaper.
In this he has not been disappointed. The Hausfreund has had a
career of remarkable success, and has unquestionabty been productive
of great good for the church and the cause of religion. It is a weekly,
eight-page journal, printed exclusively in the German language, and
devoted mainly to the interests of religion and of science. It now
has a regular circulation of about 2,000 copies, and is steadily growing
in popularity and influence. It is the only German Catholic paper
published in the State outside of St. Louis, and therefore has a wide
field for circulation and usefulness. To those who know nothing of
its editor and proprietor, it is needless to say that the Hausfreund is
ably edited and successfully conducted, and that it is a paper the
influence of which is only for good wherever it is circulated and read.
In establishing this journal Father Brockhagen has unquestionably
performed one of the most valuable services of his life, if not, indeed,
the most valuable, a service the beneficent influence of which will go on
and on, vibrating down the ages, long after the marble that shall mark
his last resting place will have crumbled into dust.

PROF. MAYNARD N. BRUNK

(School-teacher, Post-office, St. Peters).

Prof. Brunk’s father, Christopher Brunk, came out to Missouri
from Pennsylvania when a young man in about 1840, and first located
in Lincoln county. Some five years later he crossed over into Warren
county, and there he met and married Miss Delphi A. Carter, for¬
merly of Kentucky. Maynard N. Brunk, the subject of this sketch,
born September 21, 1851, was the only child they reared. The father
was a farmer by occupation and quite a successful one, as well as one
of the well known and highly respected citizens of his part of the
county. He died in 1853. The mother survived until 1882. Both
were members of the M. E. Church. Maynard N. completed his
education at the State University, in Columbia, and after quitting that
institution engaged in teaching, and has ever since followed the occu-
pation of a teacher, and has become widely and favorably known as a
capable and successful teacher. His services are in request wherever
lie is known. November 5, 1879, Prof. Brunk was married to Miss
Katie Jenkins, a daughter of Griffin and Georgiaua (Brazier) Griffin,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

471

of St. Charles county. The Professor and wife are blessed with three
children: Delphi S., Lillie L. and Maynard N. The Professor has
been engaged in teaching in St. Charles county for the last 13 years.
He and wife are members of the F. M. Church.

FREDERICK BUNDING

(Postmaster, and Dealer in General Merchandise, Post-office, Weldon Springs).

Mr. Frederick Building’s father, Peter Bunding, is a native of Ger-
mail}'. His wife ( the mother of Frederick) was a Miss Catherine
Stroll, and they had a family of five children, all of whom are living.
The father died in Germany in 1875, but the mother had preceded
him to the grave some seven years. Frederick was born in Germany,
April 21, 1850, but was principally reared in Germany. Having a
taste for mercantile business, he engaged in merchandising in early
manhood, and has followed it with success ever since. He carries a
large and well assorted stock of merchandise and has an excellent

trade. He is in fact in prosperous circumstances. In 1872 Mr.
Frederick Bunding was married to Miss Emma Weinreben, a daughter
of Frederick and Agnes Weinreben, formerly of Germany. They have
three children: Charles F., Theodore E. L. and Hugo A. He and
wife are members of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Bunding has been

3 o

postmaster of Weldon Springs ever since 1873.

JOHN W. DUBBERT

(Proprietor of the Weldon Spring Grist and Saw Mills).

Mr. Dubbert was reared to the milling business, and has followed it
practically all his life. As all know, who are acquainted with him and
his knowledge of and skill in milling, he is one of the best millers in
the county. His mill does a general custom work, and has built up an
enviable reputation by the excellence of the flour it produces, as well
as by his fair dealing and accommodating treatment of customers, re¬
gardless of race, color or previous condition of servitude. His present
mill was built in 1866, and is supplied with first-cjass machinery, which
enables him to do a superior grade of work. Mr. Dubbert was a son
of John and Caroline (Brunner) Dubbert, who settled in this country
from Germany as early as 1832. His father was also a miller and
carried on farming and the distilling business in Germany, before com¬
ing to this country. He died here in 1851. His first wife preceded
him to the grave, having borne him six children, but only one, the sub¬
ject of this sketch, is now living. The father subsequently married
Miss Theresa Beurglohr, formerly of Germany. John W. Dubbert
was born in this county May 20, 1836. He was reared to the occu¬
pation of milling. During the war he served for a time in the Home
Guards. In 1855 he was married to Miss Minnie Schroer. Five
children are the fruits of this union, only one of whom is living, Ida.
Mr. Dubbert has a valuable property at Weldon Springs, and is one of
the substantial citizens of the vicinity. He and wife are members of
the Evangelical Church.

472

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

DR. J. C. EDWARDS

(Post-office Cottleville) .

Dr. John Chiles Edwards is of Welch extraction on his father’s side,
and English on his mother’s. His great-grandfather, who was dis-
posed to be wild and of an adventurous disposition in his youth, was
given a ship and outfit by his father, which he named Brice, and with
a number of his associates sailed for the New World, landing at the
mouth of James river in Virginia, and made settlement on Revanna river,
in what is now Albemarle county, Va., and called his place Shodwell,
where the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Ambrose Edwards,
was born about the year 1724, where, with two brothers and three
sisters, he grew up and married. He was a soldier in the army of the
Revolutionary War, and served under General Marquis de Lafay¬
ette, in his ever memorial Virginia campaign. He was a neighbor of
Thos. Jefferson, his plantation adjoining Monticello, the home of the
greatest American statesman. Ambrose Edwards was married on the
15th of March, 1774, to Miss Olive Martin, the daughter of an English
gentleman, and sister of Gen. Joseph Martin, who was a general in the
Revolutionary army, serving with distinction through the war, and was
the first agent appointed bv Washington to the Cherokee Indians. A
family of 10 children were the fruits of this union, eight sons and two
daughters, all of whom lived to mature age. The names of the sons
were: Brice, John, James', Chiles, Henry, Joseph, Booker and Will¬
iam Carr, six of whom removed to Missouri, between the years 1832
and 1840, five of them settling in St. Charles county. The names of
the daughters were Susan and Martha. The father of Dr. Edwards
was John, the second son, who was born in November, 1781, amid
the stirring scenes of that eventful period. Capt. John Edwards was
married in Henry county, Va., on the 15th day of March, 1811, to
Miss Martha Johnston, eldest daughter of Maj. James Johnston, who
served in Washington’s body guard during the war, and was present
at, and participated in all the battles in which Washington commanded
up to the crowning and closing scene at Yorktown, where the British
Lion crouched to the American Eagle. He was severely wounded in
the knee during the siege. He lived to enjoy the fruits of his labors
to the age of 85.

Capt. Edwards served in the War of 1812. His brother, Brice,
was major, and he a captain in the same regiment, and they were sta¬
tioned at Norfolk, Va.

Capt. Edwards removed from Henry county, Virginia, to St.
Charles county, Missouri, in the fall of 1840, where he settled.
He died in November, 1841, in the sixty-first year of his age, only
living one year in his new home. His wife survived him four
years, dying in the fall of 1845. He was a man of sterling integ¬
rity and strong Christian faith, living up to the golden rule of ever
“doing unto others as he would have others do unto him.” He

(

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY. 473

and his good wife were blessed with a family of nine children,
seven sons and two daughters, only three of whom are now living,
namely: Mrs. Susan C. Lacey, wife of Charles H. Lacey, of Wentz-
ville, Mo. ; Dr. Edwards and Judge Samuel M. Edwards, of Mex¬
ico, Mo. Both parents were long standing and consistent members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. Edwards was born in Henry county, Ya., October 9, 1828,
and was therefore about 12 years old when he came with, his
father to St. Charles county. The foundation for his education
was laid at an “ old field ” school taught by John Williams, and at a
private school of high grade taught by the Lev. Carr W. Pritchett. He
finished his literary course at St. Charles College in 1850, and imme¬
diately commenced the study of medicine in the office and under the
direction of Dr. John A. Talley, of the same county, where he dili¬
gently and profitably spent one year. In October, 1851, he matricu¬
lated in the medical department of the University of Virginia, where,
at the end of two years, on the 29th day of June, 1853, he received,
with distinction, the degree of doctor of medicine of that celebrated
school. He then returned to St. Charles county, Mo., and at
once entered into the practice of his profession, in which he has ever
since been actively engaged with excellent success. He has for
30 years been established as one of the leading physicians of the
county.

Dr. Edwards was married in September, 1854, to Miss Sarah
A. Pritchett, the second daughter of Henry Pritchett, of Warren
county, Mo. She died on March 10, 1873.

He was subsequently married to Miss Sallie Stone, on the 18th day
of November, 1874, eldest daughter of Robert H. Stone, of Rich¬
mond, Ky., a granddaughter of Col. William Rodes, and a great-
granddaughter of Gen. Green Clay, of Kentucky. This interesting
and gifted lady died on September 29, 1875, greatly lamented, leav¬
ing an infant daughter, Sallie Stone.

In May, 1880, Dr. E. was united in marriage to Miss Kate H. Stone,
sister of his second wife. He has by this marriage one son, named
Robert Stone.

NOAH HARRIS

(Farmer, Post-office, Dardenne).

Mr. Harris has been a resident of St. Charles county for nearly
20 years, and has become well established, not only as one of its
well-to-do farmers, but one of its worthy and respected citizens. He
is an Ohioan by nativity, born in Belmont county, June 1, 1816. His
father, Reuben Harris, was from New Jersey, and when a young man
went to Wheeling, West Ya., where he was married, in 1801, to Miss
Sarah Gill. Twelve years afterwards they removed to Belmont county,
O., where they made their permanent home. The father died there
in 1860. The mother had preceded him to the grave by about nine
years. They had a family of eight children, of whom four are living.

474

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Noah Harris was reared to the occupation of farming and stock-
raising, and in 1848 removed to Marshall county, Va. Eight years
later he changed his residence to Edgar county, Ill., and in 1865
came to St. Charles county, Mo. Meanwhile, before leaving his
native county in Ohio, he was married there in 1841 to Miss Lucinda
J. Kerr, formerly of Maryland. She was a daughter of James and
Lucinda Kerr, of Harford county, Md. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have seven
children living of a family of 10: William A., Reuben J., Carrie M.,
Bobert M., Lucy S., Addie M. and Anna M. He and wife, with all
their children except one, are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Harris has a comfortable farm of 368 acres, which is comfortably
improved and well stocked. He is a man who, both as a farmer and
citizen, commands the respect and good opinion of all who know
him.

LEANDER T. HENRY

(Farmer, Post-office, O’Fallon) .

Mr. Henry was a young man 21 years of age when he came to St.
Charles countv from Virginia in 1865. He was without means and
went to work at farm labor by the month. Later along he returned to
Virginia, but came back in 1867, and was married here the following
fall, October 14. Miss Maggie Miller became his wife. She was a
daughter of Jacob Miller. Mr. Henry shortly engaged in farming on
his own account. January 24, 1878, he had the misfortune to lose
his first wife by death. She left a family of five children : Minnie B.,
Lacey G., Edna M., Marcellus W. and Kittie. To his present wife
Mr. Henry was married May 13, 1879. She was a daughter of Jacob
and Elizabeth E. (Gill) Miller, a sister of his first wife. She was
educated at Fairview Seminarv. Three children have been the fruits
of this union: Clarence (deceased), Clara and Cleveland, named for
the next President of the United States.

Mr. Henry rented land for about five years, and then was able to buy
a tract of his own. He now has a good farm of 200 acres, a place in a
superior state of improvement and cultivation, one of the choice farms
in fact in the township. He is steadily prospering by honest industry,
as all good Democrats do, for, unlike their opponents, they do not
have to resort to ways that are dark and tricks that are sometimes
vain to make a living and secure a competence.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry are members of the Presbyterian’ Church. He
was born in Marshall county, W. Va., March 4, 1844, and was reared
in the same county. His father was William H. Henry, and his
mother’s maiden name Catherine A. McDowell. They were both
born and reared in Brook county, Va. They came to Missouri in 1867,
and in a short time settled in Lincoln county, where the father en¬
gaged in farming, but died in 1876. The mother finds a welcome and
pleasant home with her son, the subject of this sketch. They had a
family of 10 children, eight of whom are living.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

475

JAMES L. HENSELL

(Farmer, Post-office, O’Fallon).

When the War of 1812 broke out Mr. HenselPs father, David Hen-
sell, was a young man a resident of Frederick county, Va., where he
had been born and reared. Full of the fire of patriotism that warmed
his patriotic ancestors in the action for the defense of their liberties
and the rights and institutions of the Colonies during the struggle
for Independence, he promptly offered himself as a volunteer to up¬
hold the old Flag which his father under the leadership of Wash¬
ington had carried in triumph to Yorktown a generation before.
He served throughout the war and afterwards returned home and
was married to Miss Nancy Miller, of Frederick county. He con¬
tinued to reside in his native county peacefully and industriously
engaged in farming until 1839, when he removed to Missouri and
settled in St. Charles county. Here he was a substantial farmer
and a citizen of consideration. He served as justice of the peace for
a number of years, and was a ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church.
His death was profoundly mourned. His wife died in 1864. They
had a family of eight children, six of whom are living. James L.

Hensell was the third in their familv of children and was born in

«/

Frederick county July 17, 1823. Sixteen years of age when the
family came to St. Charles county, he completed his adolescence in
this county and in 1850 was married to Miss Martha Ferrell, a
daughter of Hutchings B. Ferrell, formerly of Meeklenburgh county,
Ya. Meanwhile, Mr. Hensell had engaged in farming for himself,
and this he has ever since continued. Having been an energetic
farmer all his life, frugal and a good manager, he has not failed to
reap the rewards of well directed industry. He is now comfortably
situated with a good homestead of over 300 acres, well improved and
well stocked. He and wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian
Church, and he is an elder in the church. They have 10 children :
Annie O., David L., Caroline M., Nancy C., Mary V., Alberta,
James W., Walter S., Pauline W., Fannie M. and Robert Ferrell.
David L. is deceased.

DAVID O. HUDSON, M.D.

(Physician and Surgeon, St. Peters).

Dr. Hudson graduated in medicine in 1879 and located at St.
Peters, where he has been in the practice ever since ; he had received
a collegiate general education before he commenced the study of med¬
icine, which was, of course, of material advantage to him in the
prosecution of his medical studies. A young man of good ability,
bright and active, and quick to learn, and having had the best
advantages the country affords, both for a general and professional
education, it goes without saying that he has succeeded in making
himself a physician of superior qualifications. This fact soon became

476

HISTORY OF ST* CHARLES COUNTY.

manifest after he engaged in the practice. His success has been rapid
and unqualified, and to-day he justly ranks among the popular and
prominent physicians of this part of the county ; he has built up a large
practice, and personally he is not less esteemed than he is popular as
a physician. Dr. Hudson’s father, James W. Hudson, came to War¬
ren county in an early day; he came there a young man practically
without a dollar ; indeed, he walked all the way from Virginia ; but
he is now one of the well-to-do farmers and substantial citizens of
that county; he is still living, and is highly respected by all who
know him. The Doctor’s mother was a Miss Eliza Reynolds, also orig¬
inally of Virginia. His parents were married in Warren county. They
were blessed with a family of 15 children, of whom the Doctor was
the eighth. He was born in that county August 30, 1856. His
general education was received at the Central Wesleyan College,
where he graduated in 1874. He then read medicine under Dr.
Oates, of Wright City, and entered the Missouri Medical College, of
St. Louis, in the fall of 1877. He took a regular course there of two
terms, and graduated with honor in the class of 1879. August 22,
1883, Dr. Hudson was married to Miss Emma V. Bibb, a daughter of
the Rev. M. T. Bibb, of Montgomery City. She was educated in that
city and is a graduate of Montgomery College. She is a member of
the Baptist Church.

JOHN HOFFMAN

(Farmer, Post-office, Cottleville) .

The Hoffman family, though long settled in America, having been
here for a number of generations, is of German descent, and the
branch of it to which the subject of the present sketch belongs de¬
scended from John Hauffmann, who was one of the early Hanovarian
settlers in the early colonial days of the country of New York.
Representatives of the family subsequently became dispersed over
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and several other States.
Mr. Hoffman, the subject of this sketch, was a son of George Hoff¬
man and a grandson of Peter Hoffman, the latter of whom was one
of the pioneer settlers of St. Charles county. Mr. Hoffman’s mother
was a Miss Mary McConnell, a lady of Irish descent, but of an early
family of this country. So in the veins of the subject of the present
sketch courses the blood of the sturdy Teuton and of the volatile,
patriotic Celt. He was born in this county, March 12, 1838, and was
reared to a farm life. In 1860 he was married to Miss Mary Schiller,
distantly related by collateral descent to the great German
poet, Schiller. She was a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth
Schiller, her father a native of Germany. Mr. Hoffman has
followed farming continuously from boyhood, and is comfortably
settled on a good homestead in this county of 175 acres. He and his
good wife have had 10 children, all but two of whom are living:
Isaac, Mary, Elizabeth, Katie and George (twins), Laura, x41exander,
Henry Schiller, Rosa and Ella.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

477

DANIEL IRION

(Pastor of the Evangelical Church, Cottleville).

For the last four years Rev. Daniel Irion has had charge of the
Evangelical Church of this place. A thorough theologian and a
minister of approved experience, as well as a pastor who possesses to
a marked degree the qualities which inspire respect and esteem, and a
preacher of great force and eloquence in the pulpit, his service here
has been productive of great good and has added much to the pros¬
perity of the church and the advancement of the cause of religion.
Mr. Irion was born in Warren county, Mo., February 21, 1855. His
father was Rev. Prof. Andrew Irion, originally from Germany, and
for many years professor of theology in the Evangelical Seminary
near Marthasville, Warren county, Mo. He was married in New
York in 1852 to Miss Minnie Keck, a young lady from Strasbourg, in
Alsace. He died in Warren county, in 1870 ; she is yet alive. Mr.
Daniel Irion, the subject of this sketch, was educated for the min¬
istry, taking a thorough course at Elmhurst College, DuPage county,
Ill. He studied theology in the Evangelical Theological Seminary,
then in Warren county, but located in St. Louis county, near the city
of St. Louis, since 1883, where he graduated in 1877. The same
vear he was ordained a minister of the Evangelical Church, and was
shortly afterwards chosen to the chair of ancient languages at
Elmhurst College, which he filled with success and ability for about
three years. He was then called to take charge of the church at
Cottleville, where he has ever since continued. In 1880 Mr. Irion
was married in Washington county, Ill., to Miss Friederica Stanger,
of Illinois. They have three children : Oscar and Rudolph ; the
other one is deceased. Mr. Irion is greatly esteemed in Cottleville as
an able and pious minister, and as an upright man and good citizen.

* JACOB REISER

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Cottleville).

Mr. Keiser was born in this county February 6, 1857, and was a son
of George and Anne (Haslepp) Keiser, both originally from Germany.
His father came here a young man when 19 years of age, and soon
afterwards enlisted for service in the Mexican War. After the expi¬
ration of his term of service he returned to St. Charles county and
engaged in farming, which he followed until his death, in 1882. His
first wife died in 1864, and he was afterwards married to Catherine
Greene, formerly of Germany. She is still living. George Keiser
was also in the late war on the side of the South. Jacob Keiser was
the only child by his father’s first marriage, and there was only one
by his father’s second marriage. Jacob was reared in this city and in
1880 was married to Miss Emma Morgerkort, a daughter of Charles
Morgerkort, formerly of Germany. Mr. Keiser came to Cottleville
in the spring of 1875 and engaged in his present business. He car-

478

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

ries an excellent stock of goods and has built up a good trade. He is
also postmaster at Cottleville. Mr. and Mrs. Reiser have one child,.
George. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

NICHOLAS KREKEL

(Postmaster, O’Fallon).

Among the higher class of Germans who came to this country dur¬
ing the thirties was the family of which the subject of the present
sketch is a representative. His parents, Francis L. and Catherine
(Schuhmacher) Krekel, came from the district of the Rhine, near the
ancient town of Cologne, in Prussia, to the United States in 1832,
and settled in St. Charles county, Mo. However, the mother died
while the family were en route to this country (at Louisville, Kv . )r
leaving her husband and six children, who came on and settled in St.
Charles county. Here the father engaged in farming, and, being a man
of energy and good business qualifications, as well as of high character
and good education, he became quite successful. He died here in
1871, one of the highly respected and influential citizens of the county.
His children, or those who survived through school age, were given
excellent educational advantages. But two of the original family of
six children are living, namely : Arnold and the subject of this sketch.
Arnold received an advanced education and became one of the most emi¬
nent lawyers at the Missouri bar. In 1863, such was his commanding
position in his profession in this State, and, indeed, throughout all this
part of the country, that the office of United States District Judge
being vacant, he was appointed to the vacancy by President Lincoln,
the appointment being confirmed by a unanimous vote of the Ameri¬
can Senate. Judge Krekel has continued in the office of United States
District Judge ever since that time, for a period now of over 20
years, and by his learning and ability and his strict impartiality and
high integrity as a judge, has won the confidence and esteem of all
who have had business in his court, and has achieved a national repu¬
tation as a profound lawyer and conscientious, just judge. Nicholas
Krekel, the second of the two survivors of the family, and the subject
of this sketch, was born at Berghausen, Prussia, August 30, 1825, and
was therefore a lad only about seven years of age when his father set¬
tled in St. Charles county. He was reared in this county and remained
at home on the farm with his father until he was nearly approaching
majority. He then went to St. Louis and was connected with the
manufacture of shot at the shot-tower in that city, the first one estab¬
lished west of the Alleghanies, for some seven years. Meanwhile,
however, the Mexican War having broken out, he enlisted for the
service of his country under Gen. Price and served with conspicuous
courage and fidelity until the triumphant close of that struggle. In
1856, still a young man, he located at O’Fallon, Mo., and built the
first house that reared aloft its walls at this place. In 1858 he was
appointed postmaster of O’Fallon, Mo., and he has continued to hold
the office ever since that time. The same year he was appointed sta-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

479

tion agent on the railway at this place, the duties of which position
he discharged until his resignation in 1861. During the Civil War
Mr. Krekel was of course on the side of the Union, and rendered val¬
uable service as a home guard and militia man for the preservation of
the life of the Nation. September 15, 1857, he was married to Miss
Wilhelmina Moritz, a daughter of Casper Moritz, a substantial settler
and citizen of Florissant, St. Louis county, Mo., where he died in
1883. Seven of the ten children born of this union are living, one of
whom is married and well settled in life, namely: Emma, Bertha,
Albert, Sophia, Cora, Mary and Katie. Mr. and Mrs. K. and children
are members of the Catholic Church.

JOHN M. McMILLIN

(Farmer, Post-office, Weldon Springs).

John Madison McMillin was born in St. Charles county, Mo.,
December 16, 1829, and was a son of John M. and C. (Howell) Mc¬
Millin, both native Missourians. His father died when JohnM., Jr.,
was only about 10 years of age, and his mother afterwards became
the wife of William R. Blanton. By her first marriage there were
eight children, seven of whom are living, and by her second marriage
four children were born, only one of whom survives. She had the
misfortune to lose her sight about eight years ago, but is still living,
and otherwise from the loss of her sight is in comparative good gen¬
eral health. John M., Jr., was reared in this county, and was married
here in 1852 to Miss Margaret M. Gates. She died three years after¬
wards, leaving one child, Hannah. Subsequently Mr. McMillin was
married to Miss Mary J. Sears. She also died in 1865. She left one
child, Jane E. After his second wife’s death Mr. McMillin went to
Montana and was engaged in mining out there for a period of two
years. He then returned to Warren county and engaged in farming,
and later was married to Miss M. Baltezer, formerly of Vermont.
She died in 1883. She had borne him six children, four of whom are
living, John M., William, Samuel T. and Robert F. Mr. McMillin’s
present wife was formerly a Miss Sarah Aubrey. She is a native Mis¬
sourian and is a lady of rare excellence of character and attractiveness
of person. Mr. McMillin has a good farm of nearly 100 acres. Mr.
McMillin’s grandfather was killed on Loutre creek, under Capt. Culley,
by the Indians in the early years of the present century.

JOHN L. MARTIN, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Hamburg).

Dr. Martin is a native of Tennessee, born in Monroe county, Feb¬
ruary 15, 1834. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Witten)
Martin, both originally from Virginia. The father was born in the
Old Dominion as early as 1777, and after he grew up and married
removed to Knox county, Tenn., where he made his home for a num¬
ber of years. His first wife was a native of Virginia and they were

480

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

married in 1800. She died in Tennessee, leaving him eight children,
of whom six are living.. Subsequently he was married to Mrs. Eliza¬
beth Tollett, whose maiden name was Witten, as given above. Mean¬
while he had removed to Monroe county, Tenn., where his second
marriage took place in 1825. Three children were the fruits of this
union, two of whom, including the Doctor, are living. The father
was an energetic and intelligent farmer of Monroe county, Tenn., and
died there in 1850. The mother survived until 1864. She was a
member of the M. E. Church South, and her husband of the Presby¬
terian Church. Dr. Martin was reared in Tennessee and received a
good general education, principally from a private instructor. In
1855, then 21 years of age, he came to Missouri and located first in
Cedar county, but the following year crossed over into Camden county,
and in 1856 located permanently in St. Charles county. In the mean¬
time he had been engaged in the study of medicine and here he put
himself under the instruction of Dr. Crouch. His college education
in medicine was received at the St. Louis Medical College, where he
graduated with honor in 1857. He then returned to this county and
entered actively into the practice of his profession, in which he has
been continuously engaged ever since. Dr. Martin has been satisfac¬
torily successful as a physician, and especially so in the treatment of
cases, and has long had an enviable reputation as an able and faithful
practitioner. His practice extends for many miles around Hamburg.
In 1867 he was married in this county to Miss Orelia Paulina Ander¬
son, a daughter of Peter and Maliala Anderson, formerly of Virginia.
The Doctor and his estimable wife have six children : John M., Robert
G., Mahala E., Waldo A., James N. and Virgie H. The Doctor has
a comfortable residence property at Hamburg, and is otherwise pleas¬
antly situated.

SAMUEL C. MUSCHANY

(Farmer, Post-office, Dardenne).

Dr. John B. Muschany came from Germany a young man and a
graduate of one of the prominent German medical universities, and
entered upon the practice of his profession in St. Charles county in
an early day. He was first located at St. Charles, but afterwards
changed to Dardenne, where he was successfully engaged in the practice
of medicine until a short time before his death. In 1860 he returned
to St. Charles, and died their two years afterwards. He was a man
of marked intelligence and superior culture, and one of the really
learned and skillful physicians of this part of the country. A man,
however, of a singularly retiring and modest disposition, he never
rose to that notoriety in his profession which some have obtained ;
among those who knew him well he was universallv regarded as a
practitioner of a profound knowledge of medicine and eminent abil¬
ity. He married in this country, Miss Janetta McCluer becoming his
wife. She was originallv from Virginia and survived her husband
until 1880. Nine children were the fruits of their married life and

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

481

seven are living. Mrs. Muschany was an exemplary member of the
Presbyterian Church. Samuel C. was born in this county, January
6, 1839. He was brought up to a farm life, and received a good gen¬
eral education at the common schools of this county, and at West¬
minster College, Fulton, Mo. In 1868 he was married to Miss
Virginia Moore, a daughter of John L. and Malinda Moore, formerly
of Virginia. Mr. Muschany’ s first wife died in 1871 ; to his present
wife he was married May 6, 1880. She was a Miss Lucy Harris
before her marriage, a daughter of Noah and Lucinda Harris, whose
sketch appears in this volume. Mrs. Muschany is a member of the
Presbyterian Church. Mr. M. has a good farm of 250 acres and is
comfortably situated. He is one of the energetic farmers of the town¬
ship, and as a citizen stands well with all who know him. By his
first wife he has one child, a daughter, Ada.

JAMES OHMES*

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Peters) .

Mr. Ohmes was 18 years of age when he came to Missouri with his
parents, in 1846, and settled in St. Charles county. He had to
make his own start in life, his father though a comfortable liver, not
being a wealthy man, and being, therefore, unable to do much toward
starting his sons in life. But young Ohmes went to work with
courage and resolution and made steady progress in the accumula¬
tion of property. He has an excellent farm of about a quarter of a
section in the county, and also has a quarter of a section of fine land
in Kansas. He was born in Hanover, Germany, in May, 1828, and was
a son of James and Mary (Garbs) Ohmes. His father was a farmer
in Germany, and during the Napoleonic Wars, served with patriotic
courage and fidelity in the German army. He followed farming after
he came to this county, and died here at a good old age, in 1860.
The mother died in 1865. They were members of the Catholic
Church. James Ohmes was the fourth of nine children, and in 1853
was married to Miss Linkogel. She died in 1874, leaving 10 chil¬
dren, or rather five, for the other five had preceded her to the grave.
Thsoe living are Joseph, Frank, John, William and Clement. His
son John is a graduate of the Mound City Commercial College, of
St. Louis, Mo. Mr. O.’s present wife was a Miss Catherine Mis-
pagel. To her he was married in 1879. Mr. O. was a soldier in the
Union army during the late war.

LEONARD A. ORF

(General Merchant and Postmaster, Dardenne).

Mr. Orf was reared on his father’s farm in this county, but even in
boyhood showed a decided preference for business life, a preference
that finally led him to give up farming entirely and engage in mer¬
chandising. He came to Dardenne in the fall of 1882, and has since
carried on a general store at this place. He has a full line of goods

482

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

that are usually found in a general store, and has built up a good
trade. Mr. Orf is one of the prosperous merchants of the western
part of the county, and a graduate of Johnson’s Commercial College,
of St. Louis, Mo. In the fall of 1882 he was appointed postmaster
of this place and has continued to hold that position ever since.
Mr. Orf is a native of St. Charles county, born September 10, 1859.
His father was Joseph Orf, who came over from Germany, a young
man, in about 1820. His mother was a Miss Katherine Mette, also
originally of Germany. His father was a farmer by occupation, and
reared a family of 10 children, nine of whom are living. In a later
day after he grew up, he was married in 1882 to Miss Elizabeth
Schmucker, a daughter of Henry Schmucker and Friderika Pauke,
who settled in this countv in about 1850. Thev have one child,
Albinus, one of twins born to them, the other being now deceased.

.JO ft ANN M. PHILLIPS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Cottleville) .

Prominent among the sturdy, self-made and successful German-
American farmers of Dardenne township is the subject of the present
sketch. Mr. Phillips was born in Oberamt Offenburg, July 15,
1821, and was a son of Jacob and Barbara (Schiller) Phillips, who
immigrated to this countrv in 1833 and settled at St. Louis. The
father died there the same year, and the mother in 1849. They had
a family of three children, two of whom are living. Both were mem¬
bers of the Lutheran Church. Johann, who was 12 years of age when
the family came to America, went on a steamboat at St Lbuis the
following year, and was engaged in running the river for 12 years
afterwards. He then came to St. Charles countv and engaged in
farming, taking unto himself a wife about that time. It was in 1846
that he was married, Miss Rosetta Fehr then became his wife. She
was of German birth, and a daughter of Joseph and Christina Fehr.
Mr. Phillips has continued farming in this county ever since his
settlement here and has had good success. He now owns two good
farms in the county and is comfortably situated. Mr. and Mrs.
Phillips have nine children: Elizabeth, John, Louis, William, Emma,
George, Edward, Charles and Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are
members of the Lutheran Church.

RICHARD H. PITMAN, A. M.

(Principal of Woodlawn Female Seminary, Post-office, O’Fallon).

Prof. Pitman is a native of St. Charles county, born June 24, 1830.
His parents were David Iv. and Caroline L. (Hickman) Pitman, both
originally from Kentucky. David K. Pitman came to St. Charles
county with his parents when a boy, back in 1811, and grew to man¬
hood in this county. He has ever since continued to make his home
within its borders. He was married the first time in Kentucky, when
Miss Hickman became his wife. Some years after her death he was

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

483

married a second time. Three children were the fruits of his first
union, of whom Prof. Pitman was the only one to reach the mature
years, the other two, Caroline and Lydia, having died at early ages.
The father is still living, a retired farmer of this county. He has
been quite successful as an agriculturist, and is provided with a sub¬
stantial competence for old age. Prof. Pitman was the youngest of
the three children, and the only son. His early years were spent on
the farm and the neighborhood schools. While still a youth, however,
he entered the St. Charles College, where he took a regular course and
graduated with distinction in the class of 1849, receiving a degree of
master of arts. Some time prior to his graduation he had formed a
purpose of devoting himself to the medical profession, and on retiring
from college began a regular course of study with that object in view.
He studied medicine for about two years, but finally gave up the idea
of becoming a physician. In a short time he engaged in the occupa¬
tion of merchandising at Cottleville, where he carried on a gen¬
eral store for about four years. After this Prof. Pitman located on
his farm, known as Fairview farm, where he was engaged in agricul¬
tural pursuits up to 1861. A man of thorough education and high
standing, as well as an enthusiast almost for the education of the
young, he was now warmly urged by a large number of citizens in his
vicinity to establish a seminary in this part of the county. Yielding
to their solicitations Prof. Pitman had the Fairview Seminary school
building erected, and in a short time succeeded in establishing a large
and flourishing school. This was conducted with increasing success
and reputation until 1876, when he was elected president of the How¬
ard Female College, at Fayette, in Howard county, which position he
accepted. He continued in the chair at the head of that institution
for two years, and until he was compelled to resign on account of
failing health. In 1878 he erected the Woodlawn Female Seminary
building and opened his present seminary, of which he is principal.
This institution he has had charge of ever since and has made it a
complete success; he has three assistant teachers. Prof. Pitman is
an educator of unquestionable qualification and one of marked natural
aptitude for the instruction of pupils. He soon puts those under his
charge in sympathy with him in his efforts for their instruction by the
earnest interest he takes in their behalf and his kindness of manners
and disposition. His ability and tact in bringing out the truth of any
proposition he desires to in a clear and forcible light, which he wishes
to explain, is most marked, and by simplifying the point sought to
be impressed upon the minds of those under him, and illustrating
it by examples which can not be misunderstood, he succeeds in
making, what would otherwise be exceedingly difficult to under¬
stand, plain an# easy of comprehension. His theory of teaching is
that the first and most important work necessary is to awaken an in¬
terest in the minds of his pupils for the work they are to do to make
it an object of their own desire to accomplish it, and then to assist them
only so far as is unavoidable to a proper understanding of the prin¬
ciples involved in the propositions with which they are dealing. In

484

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

other words, he believes in self-reliance in the school-room, and that
one lesson learned by the pupil’s own unaided study and investigation
is worth a half a dozen acquired by the help of others. The Profes¬
sor’s success as an educator is the best proof of the soundness of his
theory and practice in teaching. He has built up one of the best
female seminaries throughout this part of the State. On the 15th of
March, 1853, he was married at Frostburg, Md., to Miss Ella V.
Ward, a daughter of William and Anna M. (Easter) Ward, of that
place. Mrs. Pitman is a lady of culture and refinement and was
educated at Mt. Nebo Seminary, near Cumberland, Md. The Profes¬
sor and wife have five children : William W., Caroline L., Anna W.,
Ella Y. and Mary S. One, David K., died at a tender age. The
oldest daughter is now the wife of J. C. Heald, a merchant at Nash¬
ville, Cal. ; Anna W. is the wife of C. A. Fripp, general agent of the
Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and a resident of Pueblo, Cal. The
Professor and wife are members of the M. E. Church South.

M. PRICE

(Farmer, Post-office, Dardenne).

Mr. Price’s grandparents early settled in St. Charles county with their
family from Ohio. They were among the very first settlers of the
county and often entertained Daniel Boone at their pioneer but hos¬
pitable home. They came in a day when the trusted rifle was an
inseparable companion both for protection and support. Wild game
was principally relied upon for meat and their only breadstuff* was the
native Indian corn, often ground at home between two stones prepared
for the purpose, and then to be found in almost every household.
During the season of soft corn their corn-meal was made by grating
on a tin grater, also of home manufacture, and the bread of that
season was always considered a great luxury, as, indeed, it should be,
for its lightness and superior richness and sweetness. Hog-killing
time of a later day was not looked forward to with more fond antici¬
pation then the soft-corn season of an earlier period. Especially the
children were delighted when grated corn bread came in season.
With their rich ash-baked hoe-cake, young new potatoes, fresh milk
and good butter, and an abundant plate of venison or fat wild turkey,
they had a meal that would make the gods smile with gastronomical
delight. Those were days of good eating, unquestionably, and an
abundance of it, and of good old-fashioned preaching, when the meet¬
ings were held at each settler’s cabin, in turn, and the preacher came
from miles off* with his wolf-skin saddle bags and coon-skin cap, swim¬
ming the creeks on the wav and lariating his horse out at night — men
with long hair, earnest visage and sparkling, restless eyes, who
preached the word of God as a dying man would preach to dying men.
Then religion obtained in its pure and simple and honest spirit, and
souls were saved not by one but by whole meetings. Verily, the spirit
of God walked abroad among his faithful, honest, zealous worshipers.
Mr. Price’s father, Michael Price, was yet in boyhood when the fam-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

485

ily came to this county. He grew up in those early days and amid
those early primitive, but happy and honest surroundings. He devel¬
oped a worthy and honorable manhood and became a successful farmer
and respected citizen of the county. He married here Miss Nancy
Weldon, of another pioneer family of the county. Eight children
were the fruits of their marriage. Of these but one is living, the sub-
ject of this sketch. Young Price was born April 7, 1815, and was
reared on his father’s farm. In 1850 he was married to Miss Sophia
Graus, whose parents were from Ohio. She died in 1878, leaving
two children, George and Sarah. She was a worthy member of the
Lutheran Church. Mr. Price, the subject of this sketch, has followed
farming from boyhood and is well established on a comfortable home¬
stead. He is one of the well respected and worthy citizens of this
township.

HENRY REINEKE

(Retired Merchant, St. Peters).

The citizenship of few men in the private walks of life reflect
greater credit upon their communities and upon themselves than does
that of the subject of the present sketch. Mr.Reinekeis the founder
of St. Peters, and has not only been chiefly instrumental in building
up this place and promoting its best interests in every respect, but
has made his life one of much value to the entire community in various
good works both of a public and private character. Though he has
accumulated a comfortable fortune by his energy, enterprise and good
business judgment, he has done more for others than for himself.
His chief aim has not been to accumulate property, but to make him¬
self of value to those around him, and if he has acquired ample means,
it is only because he has shared in the general prosperity of the com¬
munity which he has done most to promote. In a word, throughout
all the years of his mature manhood his record has been and is that of
one of the more public-spirited citizens of the county, intelligent,
broad-minded and liberal in everything. Mr. Reineke is a native of
Germany, born in Hanover, August 3, 1832. He was about 12 years
of age when his parents, John and Sophia (Seeger) Reineke, came to
America with their family in 1845. They first located in Texas, but
five years later came to St. Charles county and settled permanently
in the vicinity of St. Peters. Here the father engaged in farming
and was satisfactorily successful. He died in 1862. His wife had
preceded him to the grave by about 10 years. Henry Reineke having
been a youth of studious habits and of a quick, active mind, obtained
a good general knowledge of books and of passing events as he grew
up, by self-application to study and by general reading, having had
little or no school advantages. Reared to a farm life, he was princi¬
pally occupied with agricultural pursuits until about 1866, when,
having accumulated a nucleus of means in the shape of ready money,
he engaged in partnership with Mr. H. Deppe, in general merchan¬
dising at St. Peters. They carried on business together at this

486

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

place for about nine years with excellent success. Meanwhile, in
1857, February 9, Mr. Reineke was married to Miss Mary Ana Ernst,
a daughter of Henry Ernst, of this county, but formerly of Hanover.
She lived to brighten his home and make happy his life for some 16
years, but on the 8th of July, 1773, fell to sleep in the cold embrace
of death. She was from childhood a exemplary member of the
Catholic Church, and died triumphant in the faith which had ever
been her solace through life. Mr. Reineke’s present wife was a
Miss Emilie, a daughter of Dr. E. M. and Antonette (Marheineke)
of Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany. Mr. R.’s wife was born
and reared at that place and he was there married to her. She is a
lady of superior culture and refinement, having been educated in
the best school in the city of Hildesheim and reared in the best
society. Her mother died in 1856 at the age of 82 years, and her
father is living with them in St. Peters, Mo. Mr. Reineke laid
out or surveyed the town of St. Peters in 1868, and had the plat of
the place recorded. He is therefore justly entitled to the honor of
being the founder of the town, although there was a small, settle-
ment here before he had it platted. But he is entitled to greater
credit for what he has done for it since than for the mere naked
fact of being its founder. He has been foremost in all movements
calculated to benefit the town and has been not less liberal of his
means than active in his exertions for the prosperity of the place.

REV. FATHER JOSEPH REISDORFF

(Pastor of the St. Joseph’s Church, Cottleville) .

Rev. Father Reisdorff is a native of Prussia, born in Nievenheim,
October 4, 1840. His parents, Peter and Theresa (Augendendt) Reis-
dorff, were both of old German families, and came to this country in
1841, and made it (this country) their fatherland until their deaths.
The father died in 1870, and the mother in 1882. Rev. Father Reis¬
dorff was the third of their family of nine children, and was brought
to this country when a child of nine months, and located in Cole
county, Mo. Before attaining his majority he decided to devote him¬
self to the priesthood, and accordingly began a course of study with
that object in view. His education was completed at St. Francis
Seminary, near Milwaukee, Wis., and in 1872 he was regularly
ordained a priest. On the 16th of March, of the same year, he was
called to take charge of the Annunciation Church at California, in
Moniteau, and for four years following he continued in the pastorate
of that church. In the year of 1876 he was called to the charge of
the St. Joseph’s Church, at Cottleville. Father Reisdorff has occu¬
pied the chancel here for the last eight years, and by his manifest,
earnest piety and his learning and ability, as well as his zeal for the
church in the cause of religion, has made for himself, a warm place
in the hearts of his parishioners and of the entire community. He
stands out by his life works and example, as every true priest should,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

487

a finger board, as it were, pointing out to his fellow creatures the way
to Heaven.

HENRY J. SEIB

(Dealer in General Merchandise, and Postmaster, Hamburgh, Mo.).

June 14, 1847, and St. Louis county, were the time and place of
Mr. Seib’s birth. He was of German- American parentage, as his
family name indicates. His father was Philip Seib, originally from
the old country beyond the Rhine (Hassen Darmstadt), and he came
to the United States in 1842. He died here January 22, 1867. He
was a farmer by occupation, and an industrious, well respected man.
Mr. S.’s mother was a Miss Margaret Graft before her marriage.
They had a family of seven children, but only four are living now.
The mother died December 17, 1854, Both parents were Protestants,
members of the Presbyterian Church. Henry J. was reared in St.
Louis county and received a good common-school education. He
subsequently went to Columbia, in Monroe county, III., where he
followed clerking in a store for about a year. In 1869 he came to St.
Charles county, and the following year he and Pete Mades engaged
as partners in general merchandising at Hamburgh. Later along, in
1873, Mr. Seib became the proprietor of the business, where he con¬
tinued business in the general mercantile line and has followed it ever
since. He is now also postmaster at this place. Mr. Seib has a good
trade and is one of the popular merchants of his part of the county.
He is a self-made man and commands the respect and esteem of all
who know him. November 20, 1873, he was married to Miss Carrie
Mades * a daughter of George and Catherine Mades, formerly of Hesse
Coberg, Germany. They have four children : Heline C., Amelia C.,
Julia H. and George T. He and wife prefer the Evangelical Church
to all the rest, but have never been united with any denomination.

Rev. FATHER NICHOLAS STAUDINGER

(Pastor of the All Saints’ Catholic Church, St. Peters).

Whatever may the secular rewards and pleasures of this life, there
inevitably comes a time to every man and to every human being
when all these shrink into nothingness. Death must come to all, the
high and the low, the rich and poor, alike. The great change must
come when mortality shall put on immortality, or the soul shall be for¬
ever lost. Then it is that those who have spent their earthly lives in
the pursuit of the vanities of this world, wealth or high station, or
both, or, perhaps, worse delusions than either of these, at the sacrifice
of their highest and best interests in the great Beyond, would give all
they have won and enjoyed here, a thousand times all, for the
faintest hope of happiness beyond the grave. Then it is that the true
wisdom of the good man who devotes his life in this world to good
works, regardless of personal aggrandizement or advancement, is
brought out in bold relief, so that even the most unobservant and

488

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

thoughtless can see and understand. Looking, then, at the mission
of the priest in the light of the highest and best wisdom, who is there to
question that his sacred calling is one that challenges not only the
purest and noblest qualities of the heart, but the highest and best
attributes of the mind? Consecrated to the priesthood, the licentiate
of this sacred calling, by the act of his consecration, if his motives
and purposes be pure, shows not only that his heart is right, but that
he is possessed of a mind capable of the highest wisdom and supreme
exaltation. These qualities are indispensable to the character of a
worthy and useful priest. He must be capable of the greatest self-
denial, and therefore of the highest stamp of fortitude; he must love
truth and righteousness above all things else, even above personal
comfort and happiness ; and he must be ready to make the greatest
sacrifices for the cause of the church and of religion. In a word, his
whole life and being must be divorced from the world, in the common
acceptation of that term, and devoted alone to the service of God and
the church for the salvation of souls. Such a duty and such a work
require a moral hero and religious devotee. Nothing short of both
will do, and he must be found wanting in neither of these. Such a
man and such a priest as this is Father Staudinger, the subject of
the present sketch, as all know who know him and are capable
of judging. His life, since he entered the priesthood, and even
before, has been an unbroken religious and moral triumph. At
all times and in all circumstances he has held up the Cross of
Christ and the church with unfaltering heroism and devotion.
Nor has his priesthood been unproductive of happy results. Under
his benign and sacred influence many, very many souls have been
saved to Christ ; and to all under his charge, or wherever he goes,
who are striving to keep in the narrow way of righteousness, he
has ever rendered a helping and sustaining hand. Such a life,
when full spent and when the end comes, will have been worth
more to him and his fellow creatures than all the rewards and
honors the earth could bestow. Father Staudinger is a native of
Germany, born at Witterda, in Prussia, February 7, 1835. He was
the eldest of three children of Matthaus and Elizabeth (Leonis)
Staudinger, and was reared at his native dorf , where his early youth
was spent principally in the parochial schools. He also had the bene¬
fit of four years’ private instruction at Witterda. At about the age of
18 years he came to America, landing at New York, thence shortly
proceeding to Milwaukee, where he attended the Catholic Seminary.
After some two or three years spent there in study he came to St.
Louis, and for about two years following was under instruction of
the Jesuits of that city. In 1858 Father Staudinger matriculated at
the Carondelet Seminary, and after taking a course there entered the
Catholic Theological Seminary at Cape Girardeau, in which he con¬
tinued until his regular ordination to the priesthood. He was ordained
June 3, 1860. He was then given charge of the church at German-
town, in Henry county, where he continued, however, only a short
time, being transferred thence to the rectorship of the church at St.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

489

Peters, in this county. After a pastorate here of about six years he
became rector of St. Nicholas Church in St. Louis, and remained there
for some 12 years. Meanwhile he was repeatedly solicited with
great warmth and affection by the members of the church at St. Peters
to return to his old charge here, and he finally consented. He came
back to St. Peters in 1878, and has been here in charge of All Saints
Church ever since. The thorough understanding and good feeling
which have continuously prevailed between him and his parishioners
have been very gratifying to both and productive of good result in the
church and community. He is regarded with more than ordinary
affection as a priest and pastor by the members of his church, and is
highly respected and esteemed by all, even outside of the church.
His influence at St. Peters has ever been for good, and in his capacity
both as priest and citizen his residence here has been one of value to
the community. He justly wields a marked influence upon all classes
by his high character, learning and intelligence, and manifest purity
of purposes.

SHADE SPALDING

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Peters).

It was on the morning of the 21st of September, 64 years ago, in the
year 1820, that Mr. Spalding was ushered into life. St. Charles
county was the place of his birth, and this county has continued to be
his place of residence from that time to this. Reared here, and after he
grew up married here, that affection for the county of his birth and of
his early life became so strongly developed that he could never think
of being satisfied at a home elsewhere. His father, Thomas Spalding,
was a pioneer settler of the county. He came here from Kentucky in
1816 with his family, when the principal inhabitants were Indians and
French traders. Mr. Spalding’s mother was a Miss Mary Lawrence,
a native of Kentucky. She died in 1834. The father, however, was
a native of Maryland. Th$ father was twice married. By his first
wife he had 14 children, and by his second, one child. Of the
15 children only two sisters and the subject of this sketch are
living. The father died in 1854. Shade Spalding was the tenth child
in the first family. December 23, 1851, he was married to Miss Mar¬
garet E. Foster, a daughter of Robert G. and Maria (January) Foster.
Mrs. S. was the youngest of 10 children. Her father was a Virginian
by birth, and her mother a native of Kentucky. In 1820 the family
came to St. Charles county from Kentucky. Her father died in 1832
and his widow in the year 1833. Mrs. S. was born March 10, 1833,
and was reared and educated in St. Charles. Mrs. Spalding is a
member of the church. Mr. and Mrs. S. have two children: Alice
M. and Isadora. Alice is the wife of Daniel Sammelmen, a farmer of
this county. Mr. Spalding commenced for himself a poor man with
scarcely a dollar, but is now comfortably situated on a good farm. His
place contains nearly a quarter of a section.

490

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

LOUIS E. TECKEMEYER

(Carpenter, Mechanicsville) .

Mr. Teckemeyer was brought up to the carpenter’s trade, his father
having been a master workman in that craft. His hither, Christopher
Teckemeyer, was a native of Germany, as was also his mother, who
was a Mi ss Marie Deiker before her marriage. They were married in
Germany and came to America in 1842, locating first at St. Louis.
Two years later they came to St. Charles county, and the father worked
at his trade until his death, which occurred in 1868. Louis E. was
born in this county August 14, 1847. Reared in the county, he learned
the carpenter’s trade as he grew up under his father and has followed
it ever since. In 1872 he was married to Miss Mene Tweihaus, a
daughter of William Tweihaus, formerly of Deutschland. Mr. and
Mrs. Teckemeyer have one child, Anna L. Mrs. Teckemeyer died in
1876. Mr. T. is a thorough mechanic, and is liberally patronized as
a carpenter and builder. He is a member of the Masonic order.

WILLIAM C. WILLIAMS, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, O’Fallon).

Dr. Williams has been a resident of O’Fallon for the last 19 years,
during which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his-
profession, and has done a great deal for this place as one of its most
public spirited citizens. He has ever been among the foremost, if, in¬
deed, not the leader, in all movements and enterprises, material and
otherwise, calculated to promote the growth and prosperity of the
town and the development of the surrounding country. He is one of
that class of men, of whom there are unfortunately too few, who strive
to build up the place in which they reside. In his own affairs, also,
Dr. Williams has been satisfactorily successful. He is now in com¬
paratively comfortable circumstances. He has not made the acquisi¬
tion of property his controlling, or even his principal aim in life. He
has sought rather to do his full duty in his profession as a capable and
successful minister of mercy at the bedside of the sick, and an allevi¬
ator of the sufferings of humanity ; and to make his life of some value
to those amono’ whom he lives as a neighbor and citizen. Dr. Will-
iams is a native Missourian, born in St. Louis county, July 23, 1827.
His father was Rev. Thomas Williams, in later life a local minister of
the M. E. Church South, and who was originally from Pennsylvania,
but was partly reared in Virginia and Tennessee. He came to St.
Louis county when a young man in 1819, where he afterwards met and
married Miss Margaret Williams, a union from which nine children
were reared, including the subject of the present sketch. In 1853, Dr.
Williams having grown up in the meantime, the parents and younger
children removed to Texas, where the father died at a ripe old age, in
1874. His regular occupation was farming. Dr. Williams completed

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

491

his general education at Central College, in Fayette, Mo. He then
read medicine under Dr. William Seyle, and in due time entered the
Missouri Medical College, under the presidency of Dr. McDowell,
where he graduated in 1860. Before graduating, he had been en¬
gaged in the practice of medicine in St. Louis county for several
years. He continued the practice in that county afterwards, until
1865, when he came to O’Fallon, where he has ever since been located.
June 11, 1857, he was married to Miss Julia D. Pritchett, a daughter
of Henry and Martha M. (Waller) Pritchett, of Warren county,- but
formerly of Henry county, Ya. Mrs. Williams was educated at How¬
ard Female College, at Fayette, Mo. Dr. and Mrs. Williams are the
parents of seven children : IdaP., who is the wife of Prof. Henry S.
Pritchett, of the Chair of Astronomy in Washington University, a scien¬
tist of national reputation; Cora L ., Edwin (deceased), Josie C.,
Charles W., William and Mary Emma. The Doctor, wife and daugh¬
ters, are members of the M. E. Church South.

JOHN W. WILLIAMS

(Farmer, Post-office, O’Fallon) .

Mr. Williams, a prominent farmer of Dardenne township, and one
of the leading wheat growers of St. Charles county, came to this
county from Virginia, where he was born and reared, in 1867, a young
man who had come through the fiery ordeal of the war and had little
or nothing to begin life on for himself in this county. He went to
work, however, with industry and resolution, and is making farming
a marked success. Last year of wheat alone he raised over 1,200
bushels, and a large amount of other grain beside. He is also giving
considerable attention to stock raising, in which he is having good
success. He is a native of Loudoun county, of the Old Dominion,
born January 8, 1843. He was reared in that county, and is a son of
George W. Williams and wife, nee Sarah Skinner, both of old Vir¬
ginia families. His father is of Welsh descent, and a well-to-do
farmer of Loudoun county. He is still living, but the mother died
in 1847. John W. was the fourth of their seven children, and on the
outbreak of the war in 1861, being then eighteen years of age, he
enlisted in Co. K, of the Sixth Virginia cavalry, and served under
Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, of the Confederate army, until the close of the
struggle, participating during that time in many of the hardest fought
battles of the war. In 1867 he came to St. Charles county and
engaged in farming in this county. January 14, 1869, he was married
to Miss Margaret M. Boyd, a daughter of William A. and Elizabeth
(Poage) Boyd, of this county. Mrs. W. was educated at Fairview
Seminary. They have seven children: Elizabeth B., Marshall M.,
Olive L., Daisey B., Ethel C., Charles (deceased), and Kittie J.
Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the M. E. Church South.

492

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

RICHARD G. WOODSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Dardenne). *

Col. Woodson’s parents. Judge Charles Woodson and wife ( nee
Anne Wilson), came to St. Charles county in 1841. They were from
Virginia, and Richard G. was born in Prince Edward county, Va.,
September 6, 1833. After the removal of the family to St. Charles
county Judge Woodson became a successful and leading farmer of the
county, and one its influential and highly respected citizens. He was
elected a member of the county court , and during the war, although
far advanced beyond the limit of military age, served as lieutenant-
colonel in the Union home guards. He is still living, at the venera¬
ble age of 90, and is yet vigorous and his memory well preserved,
considering his advanced age. His good wife is also still spared
to accompany him on down the journey of life. All their family
of eight children are living, and several of them are now themselves
the heads of families. The Judge and his good wife are both mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church. Col. Richard G. Woodson was
principally reared in St. Charles count}^ and was educated at Wyman’s
high school, of St. Louis, the State University of Missouri, where he
graduated in the class of 1853, and afterwards studied law, taking a
course in the law department of the University of Virginia. About
1856 he returned home and located at St. Louis, where he was admit¬
ted to the bar. He continued the practice of law in St. Louis for
several years. In 1862 he was commissioned major of the Tenth, or
Third cavalry, M. S. M., and was afterwards made colonel of the
regiment. During most of his time since the war Col. Woodson

has given his undivided attention to his farming and stock inter-
© ©

ests. In 1868 he was married to Miss Grace Lee, a daughter of
Philip Lee, formerly of New York. They have seven children, namely r
Gertrude, Alice, Charles, Tarlton, Nannie, Grace and Freda.

LOUIS ZERR
•%

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Peters).

Mr. Zerr, a substantial German-American farmer of Dardenne
township, was born in Germany, July 18, 1843. His father was Louis
Zerr, Sr., and his mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Arch. They
came to America in 1846, when Louis, the subject of this sketch, was
only 3 years of age. They settled in St. Charles county, where the
father is still engaged in farming. Louis, Jr., was reared in this
county and remained at home, principally, until his marriage. He
was married June 6, 1864, when Miss Magdaline Schneider became
his wife. This union has been blessed with eight children, six of
whom are living: Mary M., Katie, Joseph, Michael, Theresa and
Carl. Mr. Zerr has a good farm of 113 acres, most of which is in
excellent cultivation. He and wife are members of the Catholic
Church.

CHAPTER XIV.

HISTORY OF CDIVRE TOWNSHIP.

Old Settlers. — Wentzville — For Whom Named — Location, Etc. — Foristell — When
Laid Out, and by Whom — Churches in Township — Biographical.

OLD SETTLERS.

William Allen, of Henry county, Ya., was married twice. The
name of his second wife was Ann Smith. Susan married William
Wells, who was probate judge of Henry county, Ya. Robert was a
talented man and fine orator, and represented his native county in the
State Legislature for many years. He married Celia Mullens, and
their son, William L ., was State Senator in Mississippi for a number
of years. Joseph S., the second son of Robert Allen, was a dis¬
tinguished Methodist minister. He settled in St. Charles county in
1828. He was married twice, and by his first wife had one son named
William. The name of his second wife was Rachel May, and they had
William M., Robert L., Elizabeth M., John P., Joseph J., Susan A.
and Rachel. William M. married Mary Shelton, and they had six
children. Mr. Allen represented his county in the House of Repre¬
sentatives four years and four years in the State Senate. He was a
prominent and influential citizen, and now resides in Wentzville, Mo.
Robert L. was married first to Anna Pendleton, by whom he had five
children. After her death he married Louisa B. Harnett, and they
had three children. Mr. Allen was county judge of Warren county
for some time, and represented that county in the Legislature two
years. Elizabeth M. was married first to Henry Simpson, and after
his death she married James D. May. She had three children. John
P., who was a physician, married his cousin, Martha L. Allen, and they
had one child. Joseph I. came to Missouri in 1850, and died soon
after. Susan A. died unmarried. Pines, son of William Allen, was
married first to Charlotte Bailey, of Tennessee, and settled in St.
Charles county in 1829. Their children were Robert B., Mary J.,
Joseph J., John B., Charles C. and Martha L. Mr. Allen was mar¬
ried the second time to Nancy Hughes, of Virginia, and they had
Lucy A., Susan M., Pines H., William M., Smith B. and Columbus S.
Robert B. married Louisa Chambers and they had ten children. He

(493)

494

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

was a prominent Methodist and an influential citizen. Mary J. mar¬
ried Marshall Bird, who settled in Missouri in 1833. They had seven
children. Joseph J. married Sarah McClenny, and they had three
children. John B. was married first to Elizabeth Lacy, by whom he
had four children. He was married the second time to Lucy Harnett,
and they had five children. Mr. Allen is an attorney and located near
Flint Hill. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. Charles C.
married Fannie Pendleton, and they had but two children. Martha
L. was married first to John Taylor, and they had but one child. She
was married the second time to Thomas H. Lacy. They had no
children.

John Bowles emigrated from England, and settled in St. Mary’s
county, Md. They had seven children: William, John Baptist, Jos¬
eph, Jane, Susan, Henrietta and Mary. In 1789, John Baptist,
Joseph, James and Mary, moved to Kentucky and settled in Scott
county. Joseph married Alice Raley, and lived and died in Washing¬
ton county, Ky. Jane married Ignatius Green well, and their son
Robert married Maria Twyman and settled in St. Charles county,
Mo. Mary married William Robert, and their daughter Elizabeth
married John Burkinan, who settled in Montgomery county, Mo.
John Baptist married Henrietta Wheatley, and they had eight chil¬
dren : Walter, James, Leo, Clara, Elizabeth, Catharine, Matilda and
Celicia. Walter married Rosa McAtee, and settled in St. Charles
in 1828. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was living in
1875, in his eighty-seventh year. James married Susan Luckett, and set¬
tled in St. Charles in 1835. They had six children. Leo married Teresa
McAtee and settled in St. Charles county in 1831. They had seven
children. Clara married Dennis Onan and they lived in Kentucky.
Catharine married Stephen T. McAtee, who settled in St. Charles
county, in 1834. They had eight children. Mr. McAtee and his
youngest son, George, died the same day and were buried in the same
grave. Matilda married Walter Barnes, and tliey lived in Kentucky.
Celicia married James W. Drury, who settled in St. Charles county,
in 1835. They had 13 children.

Gen. Amos Burdine, as he was called, was a native of Kentucky,
where he married Jennie Davidson, and came to Missouri in 1811.
He settled in Dog Prairie, in St. Charles county, and built his cabin
on the James Mackey claim. Soon after he came to Missouri, the
earthquakes at New Madrid, Mo., occurred and the shaking of the
earth caused the boards that composed the roof of his cabin to rattle
so that he imagined there were Indians up there trying to get in. So

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

495

rousing his sons (for it was at night), they secured their guns and
began to fire through the roof, which they so completely riddled with
bullets, that it would not afterwards turn rain He was a believer in
witches, as were many of the early settlers and used to brand his cattle
in the forehead with a hot shoe hammer, to keep the witches from
killing them. Burdine was a great hunter, and killed more deer than
any other half dozen men in the vicinity. He used the skins of the
animals he killed for beds and bed clothing, which was a common
thing among the people of that day. The General could mimic the cry
of any animal or bird and often imitated wolves and panthers, for the
purpose of scaring deer out of the brush, so he could shoot them.
A party of hunters heard him one day screaming like a panther, and
imagining they were in close proximity to one of those ferocious animals
they put spurs to their horses and rode for their lives. He gave names
to nearly all of the streams in his vicinity, and Chain-of-Rocks on
Cuivre owes its appropriate title to him. Burdine was a man of
medium size, but his wife was very large and heavy. Some amusing
anecdotes of this original character will be found under the head of
“ Anecdotes and Adventures. ” The General’s wife died of cholera
in 1832, and some years afterwards he moved his family to Arkan¬
sas.

John Castlio, of Tennessee, married a widow named Lowe, whose
maiden name was Harrison. They settled in St. Charles county in
1806. The names of their children were Ruth, Lottie, Mahala,
Sinai, JohnH., Nancy and Hiram. Lottie married William Keithley.
Ruth married Frank McDermid, who was killed at Callaway’s defeat.
They had two children : Rhoda and Viletta. Mary married Benjamin
Howell, and they had 11 children. Sinai married Absalom Keithley.
John H. married the widow of Capt. James Callaway, whose maiden
name was Nancy Howell. Nancy married Felix Scott. Hiram mar¬
ried when he was about grown. The names of John H. Castlio’ s
children were John C., Fortunatus, Jasper N., Othaniel C., Hiram
B. and Zerelda E.

James Campbell, of Scotland, settled in Essex county, Va., and
married a Miss Montague. They had only one child, James, Jr.,
when Mr. Campbell died, and his widow married a Mr. Stubbs, of
Richmond. James, Jr., married Lucinda S. Gantkins, of Virginia,
and they had 10 children : Mary M., Thacker, Charles G., Nancy H.,
Catharine L., James E., Elijah F., John, Caroline and Lucy H. Mrs.
Campbell died, and her husband was married a second time to

496

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Catharine Heihm, of Lynchburg. He was a soldier in the War of
1812, and died in 1872, in his eighty-fifth year. His widow was still
living in 1875, but was blind and deaf.

Joseph Cannon married Nancy Sitlon, of North Carolina, and
settled first in Tennessee, where he remained until 1811, when he
removed to St. Charles county, Mo. During the Indian War he and
his family lived in Kennedy’s fort. Mr. Cannon was a great hunter
and Indian fighter, and had a great many adventures. The names
of Mr. Cannon’s children were Phillip, Sarah, Rachel, Keziah and
Nancy. Phillip married Elizabeth McCoy and they had 10 children :
George, Julia A., Rachel, William R., Nancy, Ellen, John, David M.,
Sarah and Mathancer. Sarah married Jerry Beck, of Lincoln county,
and is now a widow. Rachel married Raphael Florathay and lives
in Iowa. Nancy married John Creech, of Lincoln county. Keziah
died single.

Thomas Carter, of Virginia, married Judith McCrowdy, and their
children were Jesse, Thomas, Edward, Lawson, Christopher and
Dale. Thomas married Nancy Hutchings, of Virginia, and settled in
St. Charles county in 1836. Christopher married Mary Soizes, whose
father served several years in the Revolutionary War. They settled
in St. Charles county in 1830. The names of their children were
Frances, Rebecca, James, Jane, Christopher, Judith, Thomas M.,
Mary, George and Rolla. Thomas M. was the sheriff of Lincoln
county in 1875.

The father of William Collins was an Englishman. At an early
age William was bound out to learn the carpenter’s trade, but becom¬
ing dissatisfied, he ran away and married. He married Jane Blakey,
of Warren county, Va., and they had six children: George, John
Reuben, Fanny, Elizabeth and William. John married Fanny Curt-
lev and settled in Franklin county, Mo. George married Jane
Eddings, of Warren county, Va., and settled in St. Charles county,
Mo., in 1825. They had 17 children: Sarah, Elizabeth, Frances,
Smith, Eliza, Nancy, Clarissa, James, Elijah, Thomas, William,
Tandy, George, Sandy, Jane, Mary aud Joseph. Sandy, Joseph
and Mary died before they were grown. Elizabeth, Eliza and Clar-
ssa married and remained in Virginia. Sarah and Nancy married
and settled in Warren county, Mo. Smith married Emily Wyatt,
and moved to Oregon. Thomas, William and Frances settled in
Henry county, Mo. ; Elijah settled in Arkansas, and George in
Warren county, Mo.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

497

Nicholas Collins, of England, married Margaret Long, of Virginia,
and they hadtwo children, John and Lucy. John married Elizabeth Ya¬
ger of Virginia, and settled in St. Charles county in 1831. His children
were Sarah, Lucinda, Mary, Ann, Elizabeth, William K. and John
J., all of whom, except Sarah and John, settled in St. Charles county.

Elijah Carr was of Irish descent. He settled first in Hagerstown,
Md., and in 1798 removed to Shelby county, Ky., from whence,
in 1829, he removed to St. Charles county, Mo., where he died
in 1832. He operated a distillery, and was a keen, shrewd,
horse trader. His children were: Ruth, James and John. Ruth
married William Boyd, of Missouri. James was a zealous member
of the old Baptist Church, but joined the Missionary Baptists, when
the division took place. He married Susan Jones, daughter of
Silas Jones, of Shelby county, Ky., and they had nine children:
Sally, Elizabeth, Helen, Mary R., John, William, Susan L., James
and Eliza J. Mrs. Carr died in 1834, and he died in 1836. John
Carr married Mary Dorsey, of Kentucky, and they had nine daugh¬
ters. They lived at Louisville, Ky., where Mr. Carr died in 1865 •

Robert Day, of England, emigrated to America and settled in Mary¬
land, where he had two sons born, Frank and Robert. The latter
died while a boy. Frank moved to Wythe county, Va., where he
married Mary Forbish. They had 12 children: Nancy, Polly, Aves,
Peggy, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Jane, Frank, Jr., Nathaniel, George,
Nilen and James. Nancy was killed by a horse. Polly married in
Kentucky, and settled in St. Louis in 1815. Aves died single. Peggy
married Solomon Whittles, of St. Charles county, Mo. Jane married
John Proctor, and settled in Warren county, Mo. Frank, Nathaniel
and George all died, bachelors, in Missouri. Nilen married Susan
Wilson. James married Emily Rochester, of Virginia, and settled in
St. Charles county, Mo., from whence he removed to Lincoln county,
Mo., where he still resides. When quite a boy he and a young friend
of his spent a night at Amos Burdine’s, and slept on a bed that had a
buckskin tick. During the night they felt something very hard and
uncomfortable in the bed under them, and determined to find out what
it was. They had no knives to cut the tick with, so they gnawed a
hole in it with their teeth and drew out a buck’s head with the horns
attached, after which they did not wonder that they had slept uncom¬
fortably. During the operation of drawing the horns out of the bed,
the boys broke out several of their teeth.1 Mr. Robert Day settled in

1 Pioneer Families of Missouri.

498

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Dog Prairie, St. Charles county, in 1819, and spent the rest of his life
there.

James Drummond, of England, settled in Fauquier county, Va.,
prior to the American Revolution and served in the patriotic army
during the war. He had two sons, James, Jr., and Milton, who came
to Missouri. James married Martha Lucas, of Virginia, and settled
in St. Charles county, Mo., in 1834. He was a soldier in the War of
1812. He had seven children: Elias, Harrison, Mary, James, Cathe¬
rine, William and Elizabeth. Mary married William E. Jackson, and
settled in St. Charles county in 1835. Catherine married George M.
Ryan, of Virginia, and is now living in St. Charles county. William
and Elizabeth died in Virginia. Elias lives in St. Louis. Harrison
married Elizabeth Wilkinson, and settled in St. Charles county in
1834. James settled in Mississippi.

John Dyer, of Greenbrier county, Va., married a Miss Roley, and
they had six children : George, James, John, Polly, Pauline and Mark-
tina. George married Margaret Hayden, of Kentucky, and settled in
Pike county, Mo., in 1838; in 1840 he removed to St. Charles county.
His children were : Rosana, Elvira, Mary J., William C., Eliza, Mar¬
tin V., Lucv and Elizabeth. Rosana married Pleasant Colbert, of
Lincoln county. Elvira married Dr. Sidney R. Ensaw, an English¬
man, who settled in St. Charles county in 1836. Eliza married James
McManone, of St. Louis county, who died, and she afterward married
John J. Sthallsmith, of St. Charles county. Elizabeth married Fred¬
erick Grabenhorst, of St. Charles county. Martin V. is a Catholic
priest and lives in New York.

John Emerson, of England, emigrated to America, and settled in
St. Charles county, Md. His youngest son, Edward D., married Miss
Downs, of Maryland, and settled in Pike county, Mo., in 1838. He
was married three times, and raised a large family of children. His
son, Daniel, married Catharine Smiley, and they had 13 children.
His first wife died and he was married the second time to Ellen Boice,
of St. Louis, who bore seven children. Mr. Emerson was captain of
the militia in Pike county for four years. He moved to St. Charles
county in 1840. When he was a young man, courting his first wife,
he went to see her one day and got very wet in a heavy shower of rain
that fell while he was on the road. When he got to the house he
found no one at home, so he built a fire and lav down before it and
went to sleep. He slept some time, and was awakened by his buck¬
skin pants drawing tight around his legs and body as they dried.
They were so tight that he could not straighten himself, and while he

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

499

was in that condition his sweetheart came. She laughed at him a
little, and then procured him dry clothing in which to dress.

Joseph Grantham, of England, came to America and settled in Jeffer¬
son county, Va. The names of his children were : John, Lewis,
Mary, and Jemina. John married Mary Strider, of Virginia, and
they had one child, a son, which they named Taliaferro. He married
Mary D. Ashley, daughter of Samuel Ashley, qf the War of 1812,
who was the son of Capt. John Ashley, a soldier of the Revolution.
Mr. Grantham settled in St. Charles county, in 1835, and in 1836 he
laid out the town of Flint Hill, which he named for Flint Hill, of
Rappahannock county, Va. He built a house in the new town the
same year, and kept it as a hotel. When the war with Mexico began
Mr. Grantham enlisted and was commissioned captain of volunteers.
He had six children : Samuel A., Charles W., Jamison M., Martha
C., Mary C. and Maria.

James Hill, of Ireland, came to America and settled in Georgia.
His children were: William H., Alexander, Middleton, Thomas,
James B., Oliver and Jane. Alexander was in the War of 1812. He
married Miss Nancy Henry, of Tennessee, when he first settled. In
1817 he removed to Missouri, and settled in Lincoln county. The
names of his children were : Malcolm, James B., Jane and Thomas
A. The latter married Isabella Brown, of North Carolina, and set¬
tled in St. Charles county, Mo. He had four children : William H.,
Andrew F., John A. and Middleton. Malcolm, son of Alexander
Hill, settled in Texas, and his brother, James B., settled in Wiscon¬
sin. Thomas, son of James Hill, Sr., married Elizabeth Henry, of
Tennessee, and settled in Lincoln county, Mo., in 1817. His chil¬
dren were : James A., Mary, Nancy J. and Thomas L. Nancy J.
married John Wright, who settled in St. Charles county, and after
her death he married her sister Mary. James Hill, Sr., was a great
hunter and spent most of the time in the woods. He died at the age
of 72 years.

Russell Hayden, of Marion county, Ky., married Mary Roper, and
they had nine children: Ellen, Nancy, James K., Margaret, Leo,
Joseph T., Eliza, Mary J. and William B. James K. married Penina
Williams and settled in Pike countv, Mo. Margaret married George
Dyer, who settled in St. Charles county, Mo., in 1838. Mary
J. married Richard Hill, who settled in Missouri in 1838.
William B. settled in St. Charles county in 1838. He married Mary
Frey mu th.

Moses Higginbotham, of Tazewell county, Va., had 11 children.

500

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

His third son, whose name was Moses, married Jane Smith, of Vir¬
ginia, and settled in St. Charles county, Mo., in 1838. They had the
following children: Hiram K., Elizabeth, Sidney, Ellen, George W.
and Minerva. Hiram K. married Millie Evans, and raised a large
family of children before his death. Elizabeth married William A.
Hawkins, of Warren county, Mo. Sidney and Ellen both lived in
Virginia, where they* married. George W. married Sarah A. Byer,
and is still living in St. Charles county. Minerva never married and
is now living in St. Charles county.

George A. Kile was a native of Germany, where he married and
had two children. He came to America with his wife and children
and settled in Maryland, where they had six children more. George,
the youngest, married Nancy Marshall, of Maryland, and moved to
Kentucky, where he died, leaving a widow and eight children. The
names of the children were Ephraim D., Hezekiali, Alexander M.,
Humphrey F., Lucretia P., Susan, Stephen W. and Alfred S. In
1837 Susan, Stephen W. and Alfred S. came to Missouri with their
mother and settled in St. Charles county. Mrs. Kile died in August,
1872. Of the children we have the following record: Hezekiah was
married twice; Stephen D. died a bachelor; Alexander was married
twice, lost both of his wives and then went to Colorado. Humphrey
was never married and is still living.

Hugh Logan, of Ireland, was one of the pioneers of Kentucky.
He married Sarah Woods, of Virginia, and they had 10 children :
Nancy, David, Ellen, Cyrus, Jane, Green, William C., Harriet, Sally
and Dorcas. William settled in St. Charles in 1829, and died in
1844. He married Sarah B. Bell, of Virginia, and they had 11 chil¬
dren : Francis A., James F., Hugh B., Sarah W., Mary D., Samuel
F., Maria E., Harriet J., Helen P., Charles J. and William C., Jr.
Green Logan married Fannie McRoberts, of Lincoln county, Ivy.,
and settled in St. Charles county, Mo., in 1829. His children were
Sarah J., Auley M., George, Mary F. and Fannie G.

The original Lindsay family of the United States sprang from
seven brothers, who came from England before the Revolution.
Their names were William, Samuel, James, John, Robert, Joseph
and Alexander. William married Ellen Thompson, of Ireland, and
settled in Pennsylvania. Their children were James, Jane, Eliza¬
beth, Samuel, William, Henry and Joseph. Henry Lindsay and his
brother-in-law, Col. Robert Patterson, who married Elizabeth Lind¬
say, were the joint owners of the land on which the city of Cincin¬
nati now stands. They built the first cabin there and dug a well 122

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

501

feet deep when they struck a large walnut stump, and being unable
to remove it and having become dissatisfied with the location, they
abandoned it. They were both in the battle of Tippecanoe. Henry
Lindsay married Elizabeth Culbertson, and they had one son, Will¬
iam C., when Mrs. Lindsay died, and he afterwards married Margaret
Kincaid, of Dublin, Ireland, who had settled in Greenbrier county,
Va. By his second wife he had Ellen K., James, Nancy B., Preston,
John K., Henry C. and Margaret J. William C. Lindsay settled in
St. Charles county in 1817, and died in 1861. He was married
twice, first to Mary Hamilton, and after her death he married the
widow Lewis, whose maiden name was Maria Bell. Ellen K. died
single in Kentucky. James died in Lincoln county, unmarried.
Nancy married Alexander McConnell, of Indiana. Preston studied
medicine, and married Jane Mahan, of Kentucky. John K. married
Hannah Bailey, of Lincoln county, where he now resides. Henry C.
was also a physician. He settled in St. Charles in 1835, and died
three years after. Margaret J. married Dr. John Scott, of Howard
county, Mo. William Lindsay, Jr., was married in Pennsylvania to
Sarah Thompson, and settled in Pike county, Mo., in 1829.

Joseph Lewis, of England, settled in Rock Castle county, Ky., and
married Sarah Whitley, sister of William Whitley, the noted Indian
fighter. They had eight children: Ruth, Sarah, Isabella, Mary A.,
Samuel, Joseph, William and Benjamin. Samuel, who was a brick-
mason, married Mary Day, and settled in St. Charles in 1816. His
children were Joseph F., Victor, Andrew, Samuel, Jr., Avis, William,
Mary A., Margaret J. and Adeline. Joseph, William and Benjamin,
sons of Joseph Lewis, Sr., settled in Palmyra, Mo. The children of
Samuel Lewis, with the exception of Andrew and Samuel, Jr., settled
in St. Charles county.

John Murphy, of Ireland, settled in Virginia. He married Eliza¬
beth Maling, of England, and they had three children : Alexander,
Nancy and Travis. Alexander moved to Kentucky, and from thereto
Ohio, and died a bachelor. Nancy married John Gaff’, of Fauquier
county, Va. Travis settled in St. Charles county in 1834, where he
lived until his demise. He married Sally Campbell, of Virginia, in
1799, and they had six children : Alfred, Eliza, John A., Rosanna,
Julia and William A. Alfred lives in Georgia. Eliza married Richard
B. Reeble, who settled in St. Charles county in 1833. John A. died
at Independence, Mo. Rosanna married Henry Lawler, of Virginia,
who settled in St. Charles county in 1834. Julia was married first to
Humphrey Best, and second to John Overall, and now lives in St.

502

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Louis. William A. died single. Travis Murphy was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and was never afraid to fight for his rights.

Zachariah Moore, of Maryland, was of English parentage. He
married Elsie Born, and in 1810, with his wife and eight children,
settled in St. Charles county, Mo., on the Missouri river. The names
of their children were Elsie, Caroline, Creene, Maria, Thomas,
Harriet, James D. and Elizabeth. Elsie married James Gillett, and
moved to Texas, where they both died, leaving seven children. Car¬
oline married James Beatty, who lives in St. Louis. Creene married
John Boone, and they both died, leaving several children. Maria
married Horace Moore, her cousin ; they died without children.
Thomas settled first in Texas, and afterwards moved to California.
Harriet was married first to Mr. Dezane, and they had one child.
After his death she married Cyrus Carter, and died, leaving two
children by him. James D., better known as “ Duke Moore, mar¬
ried Catherine Ward, daughter of William Ward and Catharine
Frazier. The father of the latter owned the land upon which the first
battle of the Revolution was fought. He joined the American army
and served during the war. Elizabeth Moore married Horace Beatty,
and settled in Morgan countv, Mo.

Capt. James Shelton was an officer in the War of 1812, and died in
1814. He married Frances Allen, daughter of William Allen, and
they had Nancy M., Pines H., Mary M. and James N. Mrs. Shel¬
ton and her children came to Missouri in 1830. Nancy M. married
William Frans and had four children. Piues H. was married three
times, first to Rebecca Carter, second to Mary Wyatt and third to
Marv Scales. He had ten children in all. Mr. Shelton represented
St. Charles in the Legislature several terms, and was in the State Sen-
ate four years. He subsequently removed to Texas, and served sev¬
eral terms in the Legislature of that State. He now lives in Henry
county, Mo., and is an influential and highly esteemed citizen. Mary
M. married William M. Allen, her cousin. James N. married Jane
Carter, and removed to Texas, where he died, leaving a widow and
several children.

Felix Scott, of Monongahela county, Va., settled in St. Charles
county in 1820. He was educated for a lawyer, and represented St.
Charles in the Legislature several times, and also in the State Senate,
and was justice of the peace in Dog Prairie, for many years. He was
a great fighter, but never was whipped. His son-in-law once challenged
him to fight a duel, and Scott accepted the challenge. They were to
fight with double-barrelled shot-guns, and Scott was not to fire until

C O 7

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

503

after his son-in-law had discharged his piece. When the fight came
^ff, Scott waited patiently until his son-in-law had fired, and then in¬
stead of shooting him, he laid his gun down, and gave him a good
pounding with his fists. In 1846, Mr. Scott removed to California
and from there to Oregon. He was an ambitious stock-raiser, and ex¬
hibited some of his fine cattle at the Oregon State fair, but did not se¬
cure a premium. Determined not to be beaten in the future, he went
to Bourbon county, Ky., and purchased a herd of blooded cattle, which
he drove across the plains to Oregon. But when he was within a day’s
travel of home, he was killed by a man who accompanied him, and his
murderer ran away with the cattle, and was never heard of again.
Mr. Scott was married twice. The names of his children were Tas-
well, George, Presley, Hernia S., Nancy, Ellen, Harriet, Julia, Felix,
Jr., Maria and Marion.

Dr. John A. Talley, although not one of the pioneers of Missouri,
is so well known, and has been engaged so many years in the practice
of medicine and surgery in St. Charles county, that a sketch of his
life will not be out of place in this connection. He was born in Cum¬
berland county, Va., July 5, 1813. At an early age, he became well
versed iu the English classics and the principal Greek and Latin
authors, having been thoroughly instructed in them by a private
tutor at home; and at the age of 17, was sent to Randolph and Macon
College, where, after a rigid examination, he was at once placed in
the advanced classes. He remained at this institution two years,
when he entered the University of Virginia, and graduated in med¬
icine and surgery in 1840. Soon after receiving his diploma, he was
appointed assistant surgeon at the alms house in Richmond, Va.,
where he learned the practical application of the theories which he
had studied in college. He subsequently practiced a year and a half
with his brother, Dr. Z. Talley, and in the fall of 1840 he started, on
horseback, for Missouri, followed by his favorite pointer dog. He
located in St. Charles county, and located at the house of Col. C. F.
Woodson, who resided a few miles south of the present town of
Wentzville. He soon gained a large and remunerative practice, and
during the sickly season of 1844, he was kept so constantly in the
saddle, that he could not procure the requisite amount of rest, and
came near sacrificing his own life in his efforts to save others. In
1845, he married Pauline C. Preston, a daughter of Col. W. R. Pres¬
ton, of Botetourt county, Va. The Preston family is one of the most
distinguished and extensive in the United States, and from it have
sprung statesmen, soldiers and scholars of the highest renown. Two

504

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

sons resulted from this marriage: William P. and Edwin. The for¬
mer graduated in medicine at the University of Virginia, and is now
practicing his profession at Wentzville.

WENTZV1LLE .

Among the thriving towns of St. Charles countv, Wentzville occu-
pies an enviable position. It is in Cuivre township, 21 miles from
St. Charles, the county seat. The town was named in honor of Mr.
Wentz, chief engineer of the old St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern
Railway, under whose direction the village was surveyed and laid out
in 1855. Among the earlier pioneers of the town was Mr. W. M.
Allen, who came to Missouri from Rockingham county, N. C., in
1829. Mr. Allen has occupied a prominent position in the history of
the place, and in conjunction with Mr. W. A. Abbington opened the
first store in Wentzville. He still resides in the town.

Ferdinand Whitehead, Capt. Fritz Dierker, Rudolph Peters, W. A.
Abbington, J. W. Savage and Willard Keithley came immediately
following the completion of the village survey, although they were,
prior to that time, residents of the county. Wentzville has many
substantial buildings, possesses the usual number of churches, its pub¬
lic school system is excellent, and the town enjoys unusual prosperity.
It is built upon both sides of the railway, and strangers are always
favorably impressed with its appearance. A fine academy is located
here, which, on account of its thorough course of instruction, is liber¬
ally patronized, not only by residents of the vicinity, but also from
abroad. The town is surrounded by a very rich farming country,
consisting principally of upland prairie land. The soil is rich and
prolific, and immense quantities of grain are annually bought and
shipped from the town.

FORISTELL.

The town of Foristell was laid out in 1857 upon property owned
by J. A. Davis, who located there in 1836. The post-office, however,
was Snow Hill, and owing to the confusion and inconvenience oc¬
casioned by this fact, the name was changed to Foristell in 1877.
Among the oldest citizens who settled in and around the village
at an early date were Dr. C. W. Pringle, who was born in the vicinity
in 1824, and still survives, and is recognized as one of the leading men
of the place; George Collins, Sr., who during his life was known as
the largest slave-owner in the county ; Elisha Elliott, deceased ; Rob¬
ert Gray, a North Carolinian ; Lewis Martin, who owned the mills at

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

505

Millville, a few miles from Foristell ; James Miller and Judge Thomas
M. Graves, at one time judge of the county court of Warren county
and an old Revolutionary soldier. Harry Gray and Thomas J. Mason
built a tobacco factory here in the early times, and Mr. Mason was
looked upon as one of the leading men in that part of St. Charles
county. The first house built on the town site proper was erected by
a Mr. Raleigh. The first church was built in 1880. Foristell has no
public school, the younger generation attending the district school,
distant one mile west.

Among the enterprising men of the present day, who have occupied
a conspicuous and honorable position in the history of the town is
Pierre Foristell, after whom the town was named. Mr. Foristell is a
wealthy farmer and cattle dealer, residing just across the county line
in Warren county. Frederick Blattner settled in the town after the
Civil War, and is one of the prominent men of the place, conducting
a large general store. The village has no manufacturing interests,
but is a busy trading point, large quantities of grain being annually
shipped from that section.

CHURCHES.

Hickory Grove Christian Church — Located in Foristell, was organ¬
ized in October, 1847, by Rev. Robert Milns. The original members
were Jesse Coleman, William M. Trout, Jeremiah H. Trout, William
Sherman and Mary A. Coleman. Its present membership numbers
100, The names of the pastors who have ministered to this congre¬
gation are : Revs. Robert Milns and others until 1857, then Timothy
Ford, D. M. Granfield, J. W. Mountjoy, John A. Brooks, Sr., J. W.
Mason, E. B. Rice, Thomas Allen, G. W. Surber, W. B. Gallagher,
J. J. Erritt, E. B. Cake and J. A. Headington, the present pastor.
The present frame church building was erected in 1881, at a cost of
$2,000. It is the only church of this denomination in St Charles
county. There are 50 scholars in the Sunday-school, Thomas J.
Mason being its superintendent.

M. E. Church South — Located at Wentzville, was organized in
1867, its constituent members being J. N. Speein, P. H. Mays, Mrs.
Meglason, E. L. Bryan, Mary E. Bryan, Jane Bryan, J. G. Hiet, J.
B. Hiet, Charles Walker and wife, Mary B. Walker, B. F. Walker,
W. W. Walker and Mary M. Walker. The present membership is
80. The names of the pastors who have served this congregation
are J. H. Prichett, R. G. Savying, Thompson Penn, A. P. Linn, J.
S. Allen, Louis Linn and H. M. Moore, the present pastor. This

506

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

brick church was erected in 1883 at a cost of $5,000. There are 120
scholars attending the Sabbath-school, the superintendent being
Charles J. Walker.

Evangelical Lutheran Church — Located at Wentzville, was organ¬
ized in 1873, with H. C. F. Westhoff, John H. Koenig, F. Coring and
George Dierker as its constituent members. The present membership
is composed of 22 communicants. The pastors who have served this
church are P. Matascha and Theodore Messe. In 1873 there was
a brick church erected, costing in the neighborhood of $1,500.

Immaculate Conception Church — Was organized in 1874, and Joseph
Neigel, Daniel Brine and Fritz Brinker were among its original mem

o 7 o o

bers. The present membership is 50. The pastors who have served
this church are Rev. Joseph Reisdorff and Rev. W. A. Schmidt.
The present frame church was erected the same year of its organiza¬
tion (1874) at a cost of $1,500.

St. Joseph Catholic Church — Located at Allen Prairie, was organ¬
ized in 1852. Its constituent members were Anton Bartin, Stewart
Bunker, Theodore Welmart and F. Uderbert. Eighty-five persons
now compose the membership. Its pastors have been Revs. Joseph
Beotkiss, C. Timbraup and Theodore Krainhard. The present church
edifice was built in 1872. It is a brick building and cost $15,000.

St. Patrick Catholic Church — Located at Wentzville, was organ¬
ized in 1882. Its original members were Henry Norton, John Brine,
Henry Fox and John Harrigan. The present membership is 20
families. Those who have served as rectors are Rev. Fathers J. J.
Head and Joseph Hurrint. The present frame church was built in
1883, at a cost of $2,500.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Hon. WILLIAM M. ALLEN

(Retired Farmer and Merchant, Wentzville).

In any worthy history of St. Charles county the name that heads
this sketch must always be given a place as that of one of the promi¬
nent representative citizens of the county. Mr. Allen was a son of
Rev. Joseph Allen, who settled in this county from North Carolina as
far back as 1829. His father (Rev. Mr. Allen) was a Virginian by
nativity, and in 1811 was married to Miss Rachel M. May, just across
the Virginia line in Rockingham county, N. C. William M. Allen,

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

507

the subject of the present sketch, was born of this union in Henry
county, Y a., September 3, 1812. The family continued to reside in
that county until their removal to Missouri, when William M. was
about 17 years of age. The father became a well-known and highly-
respected citizen of this county. He was a minister of the M. E.
Church, and also a successful farmer. He died here in 1833. Of
the family of seven children he left, Hon. William M. Allen is the only
one living. After William M. Allen grew up he became a farmer, or
rather continued the occupation to which he had been brought up.
Later along he also became interested in merchandising, and all in all,
soon became one of the substantial citizens of the county. Mr. Allen
has always shown commendable public spirit for the advancement of
the general interests of the county, and particularly of this locality.
He is the founder of Wentzville and has done a great deal to give it
that prominence, as a local and prosperous business center, which it
has attained. He had the town surveyed in 1855, and the plat duly
recorded, according to the requirements of law. Afterwards he built
the depot at this place, and accepted the appointment of station agent
in order to get it established as a regular stopping place or station on
the road. Mr. Allen built the first store house ever put up at this
place, and has always taken a leading part, both in work and in con¬
tributing his means, in all movements to help the town along. Years
ago he became well known as one of the public-spirited and influential
citizens of the western part of the county. He was once elected
to represent the county in the State Legislature, and two years later
he was elected to the State Senate from this district, then composed
of the counties of St. Charles and Lincoln. As a legislator Mr. Allen
proved a sound, conservative and faithful representative of the
people. A man of strong natural ability and good sober judgment,
he was eminently qualified to pass upon all proposed measures of leg¬
islation affecting the welfare and prosperity of the State. Mr. A.
resides at Wentzville, where he has a pleasant and comfortable home
with his son. In 1832 he was married to Miss Mary A. Shelton, a
daughter of James C. Shelton, then of this county, but formerly of
Virginia. Mr. Allen’s wife died in 1862. She had borne him eight
children, five of whom are living: Rachel A., Tobitha S., Mary M.,
William H. and Nancy H. The mother was a worthy member of the
M. E. Church South. Mr. Allen, though now two years past the
allotted age of three-score and ten, is quite active, considering his
age, and the vigor of his mind is unimpaired.

JOSEPH AMPTMANN

(Farmer, Post-office, Gilmore).

November 11, 1838, was the date of Mr. Amptmann’s birth, and
Bezerk, Arnsberg, in Prussia, the place ; he was a son of Casper and
Tracey (Schultz) Amptmann, both of old families in that part ot
Prussia. In 1847, when Joseph was about eight years of age, they
immigrated with five of their children — Frank, Gertrude, Joseph,

508

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Henry and Peter — to America, settling in St. Charles county. The
mother died the first year of their arrival, and the father married a
second time, to Miss Catherine Lenk. To them were born three chil¬
dren : Casper, Lizzie and Mary. Casper Amptmann followed farming
in this county until his death, which occurred suddenly (caused by
heart disease) in July, 1873. Joseph was the third in the family of
eight children, and completed his majority in St. Charles county, fol¬
lowing the saddler’s trade. He visited Wisconsin, Iowa and Minne¬
sota, but upon returning resumed his farming operations. He served
in the State militia, and his third brother died during the war, after
having served three years in an Illinois volunteer regiment, and then
re-enlisting. In 1865 Mr. Amptmann was married to Miss Mary
Summer, formerly of Germany. Already Mr. Amptmann had en¬
gaged in farming and this he afterwards kept up and with good suc¬
cess ; he has become one of the substantial farmers of Cuivre township ;
he has over 400 acres of fine land and has his place well improved.
He and wife have nine children : Emily, Nettie, Henry, Anna, Nora,
John, Joseph, Mary and Leonidas.

FREDERICK BLATTNER

(Dealer in Clothing, Boots and Shoes, Furniture, Coffins, Agricultural Implements,

Etc., Foristell).

At the age of 19, Mr. Blattner came over to America, from Switzer¬
land, and landed at New Orleans November 20, 1840, two years before
his parents immigrated. He served his time at steamboat building in
St. Louis and built the first boats constructed there. In the fall of
1843 his parents came to this country and Frederick accompanied
them to Warren county, buying a tract of land in Hickory Grove
Prairie. The following spring he returned to St. Louis, where he
followed his trade until the fall of 1848 ; then going back to his
parents, in Warren county, on the farm he had previously purchased,
he began merchandising, milling and manufacturing in Warren
county. In 1861 he embarked in merchandising in Foristell, or, as it
was then called, Millville, Mo. In 1868 he removed his family to
Foristell, discontinuing his merchandising enterprise in Warren
county. His milling business was continued until 1875. It is
unnecessary to go into the details of Mr. Blattner’ s career in busi¬
ness and industrial affairs. Suffice it to say that it has been one of
unqualified and marked success. From a young man comparatively
penniless and in a strange land and speaking a foreign language, he has
risen by the strength of his own character and the virtue of his own
industry and intelligence to the position of one of the wealthy and
influential citizens of St. Charles county ; he is a large property holder
in this county and also has valuable property, interests in St. Louis.
Mr. Blattner has been married twice ; his first wife was a Miss Marie
A. Uckley, of Montgomery county ; she died December 25, 1852,
leaving him two children : Edward and Johanna. Edward is married
and engaged in the livery business at New Florence. Johanna is un-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

509

married and still at home. Mr. Blattner was married in April, 1853,
to his present wife ; she was a Miss Marie E. Wehrley, of St. Louis.
They have seven children : Frederick, who is married and is a grain
and stock dealer at Wellsville ; William B., who is married and a mer¬
chant at Foristell ; Caroline, Elizabeth, Andrew and Allie, the last
four being still at home. Mr. Blattner was a son of Andrew and
Elizabeth (Wehrley) Blattner, of Switzerland, and who settled in
Warren county, Mo., in 1843. The father was a farmer by occupa¬
tion and died there in 1875 ; he had been a soldier in the Swiss army
before coming to this country. The mother died in 1875. Frederick
was the eldest of their family of three children.

WILLIAM B. BLATTNER

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Dry Goods, Groceries, Notions, etc., Foristell).

Mr. Blattner was the third in his father’s second family of children,
mentioned in the preceding sketch, and was born in Warren county,
January 24, 1856. His youth was spent in the neighborhood schools
and assisting his father in the mill or on the farm. Going to Jones’
Commercial College of St. Louis, he took a regular course there, and
became thoroughly conversant with the affairs of business and com¬
mercial laws and usages. He engaged in his present business in 1875,
and has had an entirely successful career thus far. He carries a stock
of about $3,000, and has built up a large trade. He is one of the
popular young business men of this part of the county. Mr. Blattner
is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F. The history of the family was
given in his father’s sketch, which precedes this, and it is therefore
unnecessary to repeat here what has been said there.

GEORGE M. CANNON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Foristell).

The family name of the subject of this sketch is one among the first
in the history of the settlement of the middle-eastern part of Missouri.
Mr. Cannon’s grandfather Cannon settled in St. Charles county, and
on the same farm where the grandson now resides, as far back as
1811. This has been the family homestead continuously ever since
that time, through three generations of the family and for a period of
nearly three-quarters of a century. The senior Cannon removed from
Tennessee with his family to this county, and lived here until his
death, at a ripe old age. Further mention of his settlement in the
county and his life as one of its first pioneers is made in the historical
part of this work, so that it is unnecessary to dwell here upon the
circumstances and events of his long residence as a citizen of the
county. Philip S. Cannon, his son, and the father of the subject of
the present sketch, was yet at a tender age when the family came to
Missouri, having been born in Tennessee in 1809. After he grew up
in this county he was married to Miss Elizabeth McCoy, of another
pioneer family earlier in the county than his father’s. She was born

510

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

n 1812. They reared a family of 10 children, namely: Julia A.r
George M., Rachel, William, John (deceased), Daniel M., Nancy
(deceased), Ellen (deceased), Nathaniel and Sarah A. The father
was a farmer by occupation, in which he had substantial success. He
left a comfortable estate at his death, which occurred April 3, 1856.
The mother died July 12, 1849. George M. Cannon was born on the
homestead where he now resides November 30, 1830. Reared on the
farm, he thus acquired that taste for farm life which subsequently
influenced him to continue in it as his permanent calling. He has
therefore remained a farmer from youth up, and being a man brought
up to habits of industry and to a frugal manner of living, he has, of
course, been a success as a farmer. For a number of years, besides
farming in a general way, he has made something of a specialty of
raising stock, and has had a satisfactory experience in this industry
also. Mr. Cannon owns the old family homestead of 310 acres, and
besides this has a place of 140 acres near by, and 230 acres in Pulaski
county. June 30, 1858, he was married to Miss Sarah C. Lewis, a
daughter of James and Elizabeth (Gross) Lewis, of this county. Mr.
and Mrs. Cannon have 10 children: John E., who is a practicing
physician near Clarksville, Texas; Nancy E., Sarah E., James T.,
George R., Philip S., Oma May, Daniel W., Albert B. and Lucy A.,
all but the eldest still at home with their parents. From infancy up
Mr. C. has been absent from the county but once to remain any
length of time, which was from 1853 to 1856, when he was in Cali¬
fornia. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM C. DYER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, St. Paul).

Mr. Dyer is a worthy representative of the old and respected family
of North Missouri whose name he bears. The family are originally
from Virginia, but now have branches in Kentucky and Missouri and
several other States. Mr. Dyer’s father, George Dyer, came from the
Kentucky branch of the family. Early in life he moved to Arkansas
and then to Washington county, Mo. Later along he came north to
Montgomery county and then to Pike county, but finally settled in St.
Charles county in 1839. He was a farmer by occupation, and one of
the well respected citizens of Cuivre township. He was for a long time
constable of the township, and during the war enrolling officer for this
part of the count}7. He died here in 1864. His wife was a Miss Mar¬
garet Hayden before her marriage, from Lebanon, Ky. She died in
1849. They had a family of nine children, four of whom are living.
William C. was born while they resided in Pike county, February 20,
1838. He grew uponthe farm in this county, and in 1861 enlisted in
the Home Guards, Union service, in which he continued until the close
of the war. After the war he resumed farming, to which he had been
brought up, and dealing in stock. August 15, 1861, Mr. Dyer was-
married to Miss Margaret McMenomy, a daughter of Patrick and
Annie McMenomy. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, ten

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

511

of whom are living, namely: George, Annie, Patrick, Martin, Fred¬
erick, Bernard, William, Mary, Lawrence and Fenelon. Mr. and
Mrs. Dyer and family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Dyer
has been satisfactorily successful as a farmer and stock dealer, and has
a comfortable property. He has a good farm of nearly 400 acres,
nearly all of which is under fence and well improved. He is one of
the prosperous farmers and well respected citizens of the township.

AUGUST E. FORDERHASE

(Grain Dealer and Postmaster, Foristell) .

Among the active and energetic business men of Foristell the sub-
ject of the present sketch occupies a worthy and well recognized
position. He ships about 30,000 bushels of grain annually — some
20,000 bushels of wheat and the balance principally oats. Mr. Ford-
erhase has acted as postmaster of Foristell since the spring of 1871,
when he was appointed to the office by Postmaster-General .John A. J.
Cress well. He has made an efficient postmaster, a satisfactory and
popular servant with both the post-office department and the public
in and around Foristell. Mr. Forderhase was a son of Henry A. and
Marie (Suhre) Forderhase, who came from Prussia and were among
the first settlers of Hickory Grove Prairie in Warren county. The
father was a farmer by occupation, and died there in 1862. The
mother died in 1848. August E. was the third in the family of four
children, three of whom are living. He was born in Warren county,
August 13, 1846. He received a district school education as he grew
up, and also attended the Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton for
about a year. He then obtained a situation in a store at Wright City,
where he clerked for two years, and came thence to Foristell. Here
he afterwards clerked for Frederick Blattner for two years, and in
1869 he and E. M. Pringle formed a partnership and engaged in gen¬
eral merchandising at this place. Mr. Forderhase continued in the
firm until 1876, when he sold out and built a business house of his own,
where he opened a general stock of merchandise. He conducted this
store for about four years and then disposed of it also. He has ever
since been engaged in the grain business. During the war Mr. F.
served about a year In the Forty-ninth Missouri regular U. S. A.
April 15, 1875, he was married to Miss Cornelia M. Blackwell, a
daughter of the Rev. Harleigh and Cathern A. (Banker) Blackwell ; the
father a native of Kentucky, but her mother a native of New York.
Mrs. F. was born and reared in St. Charles county, where she was also
educated and married. Mr. and Mrs. F. have no children. They are
both church members.

EDMUND C. GANN AWAY

(Teacher and Deputy Assessor, Post-office, Wentzville).

Mr. Gannaway, who was born and reared in this county, engaged
in teaching here, after he had completed his course at the State Uni-

512

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

versify, and continued teaching for about eight years, or, rather, he
has continued it up to the present time. He has established a wide
and enviable reputation as a teacher, and his services are in request
wherever he is known. Meanwhile, he was chosen to serve the
people in the office of justice of the peace, and he exercised the duties
of this office to the entire satisfaction of the public for several terms.
He is still serving as justice for Cuivre township. In 1878 he was
appointed deputy assessor, and is now a candidate for election for the
office of county assessor. Mr. Gannaway is well known in the county
as one of its worthy and popular citizens. In the spring of 1876 he
was married to Miss Maggie E. Luckett, a daughter of John C.
Luckett. Mr. and Mrs. G. have three children : Frank L., Pearl M.
and George Vest. Mr. Gannaway has a good farm in the vicinity of
Wentzville of nearly 200 acres, where he carries on farming. He re¬
sides in the town of Wentzville, and has a comfortable residence prop¬
erty here. He is a native of St. Charles county, born in this county,
October 27, 1853. His father is Robinson Gannaway, formerly of
Virginia, and a farmer by occupation. His mother was a Miss Martha
M. Ferney (now dead) before her marriage. The father still resides
in this county, where he settled in 1850. There are two children of
their family, besides Edmund C., both of whom are living.

HENRY G. GROVE

(Merchant and Farmer, Post-office, St. Paul) .

Mr. Grove is a native of Germany, born in Hanover, February 2,
1837. His father was Christopher Grove, a judicial magistrate of the
grciffchart of Hanover, and mayor of Harsum. He died there in 1842.
Mr. Grove’s mother was a Miss Gertrude Rohlman before her mar¬
riage. Mr. Grove was reared in his native country and came to
America in 1847, at the age of 10 years. He first located at St. Louis,
where he learned the blacksmith’s trade for about four years, and
then traveled and worked at his trade in different parts of the Eastern
States for several years. In 1856 he came to St. Charles county and
located near the present post-office of St. Paul. Here he was engaged
in farming and merchandising, and has met with satisfactory success.
He has 200 acres of good land, and carries an excellent stock of mer¬
chandise at his business house. In 1856 he was married to Miss
Catharine Wenzel, a daughter of Peter Wenzel, formerly of Bavaria,
Germany. Ten children have been the fruits of this union and of
these seveu are living, namely: Theresa, John, Gertrude, Josephene,
Lena, Frank and Caroline. Henry C., Henry *1. and William are de¬
ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Grove are members of the Catholic Church,
and he is a member of the Farmers and Mechanics’ Association, and
the Catholic Knights of America, and the Patrons of Husbandry.
Besides his farm Mr. Grove has 150 acres of good land in another
tract. He is one of the worthy and respected citizens of Cuivre
township, and he has made all he is worth by his own industry and
good management, a fact greatly to his credit.

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

513

LEO W. HAYDEN

(Farmer, Post-office, St. Paul) .

Among the well-to-do farmers and respected citizens of Cuivre
township is the subject of the present sketch, Mr. Hayden. His
father, William B. Hayden, came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1838,
and located first in Montgomery county. Subsequently he removed
to Lincoln county and then to St. Charles, where he married' and
settled permanently. His wife was a Miss Mary Freymuth, of a
respected German family that settled in this county in an early day.
Mr. Hayden, Sr., became comfortably situated in life, and reared a
worthy family of eight children. Leo W., the oldest in the family of
children, was born July 4, 1847, and was reared on the farm in this
county. He received a common-school education, and about the time
of arriving at the age of 29 engaged in farming for himself. April
24, 1877, he was married to Miss Mary C. Corley, a daughter of Henry
and Rosa Corley, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. H. have three chil¬
dren : Beatrice, Henry and Mary Rose. Both parents are members of
the Catholic Church. Mr. Hayden’s farm is a tract of 446 acres,
about 300 acres of which he has well improved.

JAMES R. HAYDEN

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Post-cffice, St. Paul).

The Hayden family, as all know who know anything about the
people of North Missouri, is one of the old and highly respected
families of this section of the State. The family came originally from
Maryland, but several branches were located for a time in Kentucky,
coming thence to this State. Mr. Hayden’s father, William B. Hay¬
den, came from Kentucky to Missouri when a young man in 1840.
He first located in Montgomery county, but afterwards resided in Pike
and Lincoln and finally settled permanently in St. Charles county in
1845. He married here the following year Miss Mary B. Freymuth,
a daughter of John C. Freymuth, an early settler in this county from
Prussia. After his marriage he engaged in farming and subsequently
became one of the substantial farmers of Cuivre township. He died
here November 16, 1878. His wife had preceded him to the grave
nearly seven years, dying January 15, 1872. Both were exemplary
members of the Catholic Church. They reared a family of eight chil¬
dren, five boys and three girls, all of whom are living. James R. Hay¬
den, the subject of this sketch, was the second of their children, and
was born on his father’s homestead in this county, June 8, 1849.
Reared on the farm, he remained with the family until 25 years of age,
when he built on and improved his farm, building one of the best
barns in the county. He was married September 7, 1876, to Miss
Rosa P. Bowles, a daughter of John B. and Mary Jane (nee Onan)
Bowles. In 1881 Mr. Hayden engaged in merchandising at St. Paul,
and has been in the business here ever since. He carries a good

514

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

stock of goods and has an excellent trade. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden
have two children, Mary M. and Albert. Another, Lula, is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Catholic Church.

HENRY F. HIGGINBOTHAM

(Ticket, Freight and Express Agent, and Telegraph Operator, Foristell).

Mr. Higginbotham was reared on his father’s farm in this county
and continued at home with the family until he was about 19 years
of age, when he went to Pendleton, in Warren county, and entered
the telegraph office there to learn telegraphy. He had received a
good district school education, and of a naturally quick, active mind,
and closely attentive to his work, he soon mastered the art of tele¬
graphy. Indeed, his progress and proficiency as an operator were
unusually rapid, and by the following fall he was warmly recom¬
mended by his preceptor, Mr. W. E. Bon Durant, as being fully qual¬
ified to take charge of an office. The office at Foristell becoming
vacant about this time, he made application for the position, and
being indorsed for the place by Mr. Bon Durant, as well as being
known to the superintendent of telegraphy on the Wabash, he was
given the appointment, and has had charge of this office ever since.
He has made a thoroughly efficient operator, and has given entire
satisfaction to the road and telegraph management and to all con¬
cerned. Appreciating the fact that to make himself useful or of any
value as a railway agent, he should understand the general principles
of book-keeping and the modus operandi of depot business, he famil¬
iarized himself also with these, and has thus been able to discharge
the duties of his position as ticket, freight, and express agent with
efficiency and dispatch. As is well known, Mr. Higginbotham is one
of the most active and capable station agents along the line of the
Wabash, and of deserved popularity in the community where he is
located, no less than with the officers and operators of the road. Like
most of the representatives of old families in this part of the State,
Mr. Higginbotham is of Virginia ancestry. The Higginbotham family
is one of the well known and highly respected families of the western
part of the Old Dominion. His father, George W. Higginbotham,
was born and reared in that section of Virginia, a native of Henry
county. On his mother’s side Mr. Higginbotham is a representative
of the Dyer family, another old and respected family of Virginia.
His mother, whose maiden name was Miss Sarah A. Dyer, is a first
cousin of Col. D. P. Dyer, of St. Louis. Mr. H.’s parents came to
Missouri in 1840, and settled in St. Charles county. His father is a
substantial farmer and well respected citizen of the county. Henry
F., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of five children. The
others are : Edward M., who is now a farmer of Custer county, Neb. ;
Walter B., who is still at home with his father ; Robert W. is a clerk
in the drug store of his uncle, William Dyer, of Jonesburg, and
Charles P., who is still at home with his father. Henry Fountain
Higginbotham, obtaining his position at Foristell, was married to

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

515

Mi ss Emma Schatz, a daughter of John G. Schatz, of this place, on
the 7th of July, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. H. have two children, Florence
Eugenia, born July 15, 1881, and Clarence Leroy, born July 7, 1882.
The latter died July 17, of the same month. Thus,

“ A tiny bud unblossomed yet
The Virgin Mother blessed ;

It feel to earth. She picked it up
And pinned it on her breast.”

GARNER B. HITCH

(Farmer, Fost-office, Wentzville).

Mr. Hitch learned the carpenter’s trade early in life and worked at
it in St. Louis for a time. From there, in 1850, he went to Califor¬
nia, where he followed his trade, principally in the line of making
machinery for mining purposes. He formed a partnership with Mr.
Mabie, and for several years the firm of Mabie & Hitch did a large
business in the manufacture of machinery. He was also interested in
mining and continued in California for over five years. He then
returned to Missouri and settled in St. Charles county, where he had
been partly reared. He was married here shortly afterwards to Miss
Mollie T. Hand, formerly of Virginia. She survived less than two
years, leaving no issue. His present wife was a Miss Alice Griffin, of
Louisville, Ky. Of this union there are also no children, but
they have become the foster-parents of four orphan children. Mr.
Hitch has followed farming uninterruptedly since his return from Cal¬
ifornia and has a comfortable homestead of 300 acres. His parents,
Garner B., Sr., and Mary (Barbee) Hitch, were from Virginia to Mis¬
souri, and came out in 1837. His father had served through the War
of 1812, and died in St. Louis county in 1840. The mother survived
to the advanced age of 90. Garner B., Jr., was the third of their
family of ten children, and was born in Fauquier county, Virginia,
March 17, 1829. In 1842 he came from St. Louis county, to which
his parents had brought him, to St. Charles county, but he returned
to the former county in 1848. Thence he went to California.

JUDGE JAMES HUMPHREYS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, St. Paul).

Judge Humphreys was a lad about nine years of age when his parents,
James and Anna (Bailey) Humphreys, immigrated to the United
States from England. He was born in Warwickshire, England, Feb¬
ruary 9, 1831. The family located at St. Louis in 1840, where the
father followed his trade, rope making, for over 20 years. He
then retired from active labor and removed to St. Charles county,
where he died in 1864. His wife was a sister to the noted William
Bailey, the manufacturer of the first railway steam engine ever oper¬
ated on the present principle of traction. Judge James Humphreys
was principally reared in St. Louis, where he continued until about

516

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

1864, when he came to St. Charles county, and here he engaged in
farming. A year before coming to this county he was married to
Miss Hannah Martin, a young lady of St. Louis, but formerly of
Massachusetts. Judge Humphreys has followed farming continuously
in this county ever since his settlement here in 1854, for a period,
now, of over thirty years. He is one of the neat, enterprising
farmers of Cuivre township. He has become well and favorably
known over the county as one of its highly respected and popular cit¬
izens. In 1882 he was elected a judge of the county court, and is
now serving the people in that responsible position. Judge Humphreys
is a man of sterling, sound good judgment, perfectly upright in all
his dealings and purposes, as his past irreproachable life shows, and a
man in whom the people have the utmost confidence. He has made a
capable, impartial, and discriminating judge, and is always at the post
of duty whenever public business requires his time and attention.
As long as the affairs of the county are kept in the hands of Judge
Humphreys and his associates no uneasiness of the people need be
felt for their faithful and economical management.

Rev. FATHER THEODOR KRAINHARD

(Rector of the Church of St. Joseph, Josephville).

Of all the missions in this life which men are called to fulfill, there
is not one that calls for the exercise of qualities so high and noble as
those demanded in the priesthood. Of course men of the highest
type are always found in this pre-eminent and sacred calling, for from
the first followers of the Saviour there have, now and then, been those
among His disciples who have betrayed themselves as unworthy of the
high commission with which they were intrusted. But this does not
alter the rule, nor does it lessen to any appreciable extent the respect
and consideration with which the priesthood has always been regarded.
“ The priesthood,” Atterbury truthfully says, “ hath in all nations,
and in all ages, been held highly venerable.” And this is as it should
be. Men called from among their fellows for the duties of this high
office on account of the superior gifts of mind and of their deep,
earnest piety, and prepared by long years of training, moral, mental
and religious, for the sacred services they are to perform ; men set
apart from all others and forever divorced from the secular affairs of
the world, solemnly and sacredly plighted to a life of celibacy, and
renouncing forever the worldly comforts and happiness of home and
family ; in a word, men turning their backs once for all on everything
which the generality of mankind regards as nearest and dearest and
most to be desired, so far as this life is concerned — family, the pur¬
suit of wealth and personal advancement — and pledging themselves
alone to the service of God and the church, and of mankind through
the church, they must needs have that high resolve of character and
those noble instincts and impulses, which, combined with their high
mental endowments and their learning, together with the sacred
nature of their office, can not but challenge the profound considera-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

517

tion, the respect and confidence, and the admiration of those around
them. Hence it is that in every community the parish priest is always
looked up to as a safe and wise counsellor in sorrow and misfor¬
tune, and in all the affairs of family, as well as in religious matters.
It is he who carries the key to the trust and confidence of his parishion¬
ers, and who wields a justly potent influence in the community.
Such is the character of man the good Father is, who is the subject of
this sketch ; and such the position he holds in this community. The
highest tribute that could be paid him as a man and priest is to say
that he is in every way eminently worthy of his sacred office ; and this
can be said with truth and without qualification. His record in the
priesthood has been one of earnest piety and of untiring zeal in the
cause of religion and of the church ; and one of ability and marked
success as a priest. He is only less admired by those who know him
for his learning and eloquence, than he is loved for his religious devo¬
tion and his unceasing labors for the good of those who are brought
under his benign influence. Rev. Father Krainhard is a native of
Germany, born in the Kreis of Wiedenbruk, on the 1st of May,
1841. He was a son of Johann T. Pollmeier and Katharine Brun-
sick, and was the fourth in their family of six children. The parents
followed him to America in 1868, and settled at St. Charles. His
general education was acquired in different State schools in Prussia.
Three years he visited the school at Marienfeld ; five more at Herze-
bruck. Then he went for the higher branches of science one year and
a half to Guetersloh ; from thence he came to Rietberg, and visited
the college four-years and a half. After having visited Reit school,
at Felgte, half a year, he spent two years in the college at Waren-
dorf ; he obtained the certificate of maturity at the State’s examination
in the fall of 1863, and later visited the academy at Paderborn two
years and a quarter. There he was made acquainted with philosoph¬
ical and theological sciences. In the fall of 1855 he left his native
country for America to devote his life to the work of mission in the
United States. Seven days before Christmas he arrived at New York
and immediately went to the seminary of St. Francis of Sales, near
Milwaukee, where he completed his theological studies. Then he
offered his services to the Archbishop Peter Kenrick, of St. Louis,
and was ordained July 18, 1866, by the Rt. Rev. Fahan, Bishop of
Nashville, now Archbishop of Chicago. His bishop sent him to St.
Charles to assist the pastor at St. Peter’s Church. From thence he
was transferred to St. Joseph’s Church, at Josephville, September 19,
1868, and in this position he has continually remained until now. His
parents died in 1880, the father six months after the mother.

RUSSELL B. LEWIS, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Flint Hill, P. O., Wentzville).

For 35 years continuously Dr. Lewis has been actively engaged in
the practice of his profession at Flint Hill and throughout the surround¬
ing vicinity. Though so long engaged in a large and arduous country

518

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

practice, where the hardships and exposures are out of all comparison
more severe than those incident to a city practice, or practice in a
large town and thickly populated community, he is still active and
zealous in the work, and makes no hesitation when a call comes, to
attend the suffering, but goes promptly in obedience to what he be¬
lieves one of his most sacred duties, regardless of personal comfort or
interest. Ever faithful thus to his duties as a physician, and a man of
kindly bearing, and the most generous, unselfish impulses, he has very
naturally become not only well established as a leading physician of
the county, but to occupy a place in the esteem, and it may truthfully
be said, the affections of the people of his community, which only such
a life as he has led, and such a man as he is, could win. Dr. Lewis
has been very successful as a physician, judging success in the profes¬
sion as it should be judged, by the good one does. The people have
confidence both in his ability and in his humane solicitude for those
who come under his care and treatment. In his time he has performed
many extremely difficult cures, successes that in a large city would
have made him a reputation worth a fortune. But he has not sought
fame or wealth in his practice, but rather to do his simple duty to
suffering humanity, whenever and wherever called, in a plain, unob¬
trusive and conscientious manner. Thus, while perhaps he has not
made as great a name in his profession as perhaps he otherwise might
have done, yet he has the consciousness of having been true to him¬
self, true to the public and true to his profession, and of having never
sacrificed anything for personal advancement, a consciousness that is
worth more to a true and just man than all the empty honors and
wealth that the world has to bestow. Dr. Lewis is a native of Ken¬
tucky, born March 31, 1823. His father was Russell Lewis, a lead¬
ing merchant of Frankfort, Ky., and sheriff of Franklin county, that
State, but originally of Boston, Mass. He died when Russell B. (the
Doctor) was in infancy. The mother, whose maiden name was Maria
Bell, born and reared in Frankfort, Ky., subsequently became the wife
of William C. Lindsay, who removed with her family to Missouri, in
1829, and settled in St. Charles count}7. The mother died in this
county April 12, 1883, at the advanced age of 83 years. Russell B.
Lewis, the only child by his mother’s first marriage, was reared in
this county, and received a common district school education. Sub¬
sequently, after attaining his majority, he taught school in the county
for 18 months, and then went to Kentucky, where he studied medicine
under Dr. Theophilus Steele, of Versailles. After a course of prepara¬
tory study with Dr. Steele, he took a course of lectures at Transylva¬
nia Medical College, of Lexington, Ky. Concluding his course there
he returned to Missouri and completed his medical education at the
Missouri Medical College, under the presidency of Dr. McDowell,
from which institution he graduated in 1849. He then located at
Flint Hill, and has been actively engaged in the practice here ever since.
Dr. Lewis owns a good farm on which he resides, and the manage¬
ment of which he superintends. He has been married twice. His
first wife was Miss Mildred Myers, a daughter of George Myers, of this

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

519

county, to whom he was married April 4, 1849. She died April 21,
1870, leaving two children, Mary M., now the wife of Rev. Henry
Kay, pastor of the M. E. Church South, of Montgomery City ; and
Mildred Bell, a young lady still at home. To his present wife Dr.
Lewis was married January 11, 1876. She was a Miss Anna Chinn,
of Frankfort, Ky., a daughter of Judge Franklin Chinn, of that city,
and was educated at the Shelbyville High School, of Kentucky. Of
this union there are four children : Madge, Jennie, Russell B. and
Lizzie Y. The Doctor and his wife are both church members.

PETER McMENAMY

(Farmer, Post-office, St, Paul).

Mr. McMenamv was born in Ireland, in March, 1838. When he
was about 12 years of age the family immigrated to America and
located at St. Louis, where thev resided about two vears. The fam-
ily with the exception of the father who died on his arrival there from
Ireland, in 1852, then came to St. Charles county. Here, during the
war Mr. McMenamy, Jr., the subject of this sketch, served for a time
in the Home Guards, Union service. Already he had engagedin farm¬
ing in the county and he has ever since kept this up. Mr. McMenamy
by industry and good management has acquired a comfortable prop¬
erty. He has a good farm of over 300 acres which is well improved
and well stocked. In 1863 he was married to Miss Isabella Bowles, a
daughter of Walter and Rosa Bowles of this county. Mr. and Mrs.
McM. have been blessed with 11 children, nine of whom are living,
namely: Patrick W., Rosa A., Mary F., Litticia, Margaret T., Peter
J., Perpetua, Bernardetta and John A. Mr. and Mrs. McM. are
members of the Catholic Church.

BENJAMIN F. MOORE

(Farmer, Post-office, O’Fallon) .

Mr. Moore’s grandparents on his father’s side were early settlers of
Kentucky from Virginia, coming out to the Blue Grass State when
his father, Benjamin Moore, Sr., was yet in early boyhood. The lat¬
ter grew up in Kentucky and became a well-to-do farmer and
respected citizen of Harrison county. He died while on a visit to his
son, Benjamin F., in this county, in 1871. He was married twice,
his first wife having been a Miss Thompson, who left him two children
at her death, both now grown and married. His second wife was a
Miss Patsey Dance, also of Harrison county, Ky. Eight children
were the fruits of the last union, including the subject of the present
sketch. Four are living. Benjamin F. was the second in this family
and was born on his father’s homestead in Harrison county, Ky.,
January 1, 1837. Reared on a farm in his native county, he continued
at home until he was about 21 years of age, when he came out to Mis¬
souri and located in St. Charles county. Shortlv afterwards the war

520

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

broke out and he enlisted in the Southern army, serving under Price
until the summer of 1863. He was principally in the recruiting army
of the service. In 1864 Mr. Moore went West, and for five years fol¬
lowing was mainlv engaged in freighting on the plains. He returned
to St. Charles county in 1868, and the same year was married to Miss
Mildred Custer, a daughter of Hiram Custer, of this county, and
descended from the old Custer family of Virginia. Mr. Moore at
once went to farming after his return to the countv and has been
engaged in this occupation ever since. A man of industry, good
habits, economical and a good manager, he has of course done satis¬
factorily well as a farmer. He now has a comfortable homestead of
over 300 acres, substantially improved and well .stocked. Mr. and
Mrs. M. have four children : Lizzie D., Frank C., Edna B. and Elon
H. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

JUDGE BENJAMIN C. T. PRATT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wentzville).

In early life Judge Pratt was a civil engineer, and although he
retired from that profession while still a young man, he had already
attained to enviable prominence. Born in Wareham, Plymouth county,
Mass., February 23, 1834, his parents shortly afterwards removed to
Binghampton, where he was reared and educated, and where he studied
civil engineering. His being almost devoted exclusively to mental
culture in and outside of institutions of learning, he early passed
through the usual curriculum of studies, and indeed, before he was
20 years of age had studied civil engineering, and became proficient
and a licentiate in that profession. He then at once came West, be¬
lieving that there were opportunities for a successful career for young
men in his calling in this then new country not to be met with in the
East. His experience here indicated his good judgment. Locating
at St. Louis, he was in that city only a short time before he was
appointed civil engineer for the North Missouri Railroad Company,
and in pursuance of his appointment he made the survey of the road
from St. Louis to the Iowa line. This route was adopted b}^ the com¬
pany and his work has since been declared by the ablest civil engineers
of the country to be one of the best selected and located routes, the
geography and conformation of the country considered, in the West.
His work was well and successfully done, and has never been criticised
by any respectable authority. Young Pratt was then appointed
superintendent of the construction of the road, and pushed the work
of building it forward with vigor until 1858, when he resigned his
position to engage in farming in St. Charles county, where he had
bought a large body of land. Here he improved a fine farm and has
been successfullv engaged in farming and stock-raising ever since that
time. He has a handsome place of some 500 acres, and is one of the
substantial citizens of the county. Judge Pratt has from time to time
held various official positions, including that of associate justice of the
county court for a number of terms. November 6, 1868, he was mar-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

521

ried to Miss Ellen T. English, a daughter of Dr. Benaia English, a
leading physician of’ this county for many years, and a former repre¬
sentative of the county in the State Legislature, but originally of
Vermont. Mrs. Pratt, Dr. English’s daughter, was highly educated,
and besides liberal instruction in other institutions, had the benefit of
a collegiate course at St. Charles, where she graduated. The Judge
and wife became the parents of seven children, namely : Edwin, who
died in infancy ; Addie, Sarah, who died in young womanhood, and
after she had become the wife of Henry T. Keithley ; Bennie, Lela,
Henry and Albertena. Judge Pratt’s parents were Hampton K. Pratt
and Sarah (Tobey) Pratt, both born and reared in Wareham county,
Mass. They removed to Binghampton, N. Y., in 1836, where the
father opened the first hardware store established at that place, and
which he carried on with success for some 25 years. The mother died
there in 1862 and in 1863 he, the father, came West to Macoupin
county, Ill., and two years later to St. Charles county, where he died
in 1878. There were three children, the two besides the Judge being
Sarah, who is the wife of Henry Wiggins, a prominent merchant of
Brooklyn, N. Y., and Addie, who is the wife of William H. Scobill, a
leading lawyer of Burlington, N. Y.

CHARLES W. PRINGLE, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Foristell).

Dr. Pringle’s father, Capt. Norman Pringle, from Connecticut, was
one of the pioneer settlers of Warren county. Indeed he came here
before the county had an existence in name, away back in 1820, and
settled in what was then a part of Montgomery county, but what
afterwards was included in the territorial limits of Warren county,
when the latter was organized. He was a man of sterling worth,
strong intelligence, and became a man of consideration in the county.
He had served in the War of 1812, and came of an old and respected
family of Connecticut, originally of Scotch descent. He was a tanner by
trade and followed that in Connecticut until his removal to Missouri.
Here he devoted himself mainly to farming, settling at Hickory Grove,
and attained to comparatively easy circumstances. He served as post¬
master at Hickory Grove for a long time and until his death. He
was for many years a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity. His
wife was a strict Presbyterian. She preceded him to the grave by
about two years. She was a Miss Sallie Kellogg, and was of Irish
descent, but herself was born and reared in Connecticut. Nine chil¬
dren were the fruits of their long and happy married life. Of these
Charles W. was the youngest, and was born at Hickory Grove, March
14, 1824. He was principally educated at a private school kept by
Prof. C. W. Pritchett. Afterwards he began the study of medicine,
Dr. H. C. Wright being his local preceptor. After a regular course
of preparatory study, in 1848, he matriculated at the Missouri Medical
College under the presidency of the famous Dr. McDowell. After
a regular course of two terms under Dr. McDowell he was regularly

522

HISTORY OF ST. CHAKLES COUNTY.

and honorably graduated, and at once returned to Warren county
and located on his farm, about a mile north-east of* Foristell, where
he engaged actively in the practice of his profession. He con¬
tinued located there at work in the practice and superintending his
farm until 1872, when he removed' to the town of Foristell, where
he has ever since given his whole time and attention to his pro¬
fession. Dr. Pringle has had a successful career as a physician, and
stands not less favorably as a citizen than he does in his profession.
October 18, 1844, he was married to Miss Meroe S. Edwards, the
second daughter of Moses and Sallie (Spires) Edwards of this
county. The Doctor and Mrs. Pringle have been blessed with 12
children, 10 of whom are living: Edward M., who is married and is
a merchant at Foristell ; Mark S., married and a farmer of Warren
county; Sallie H., the wife of John M. Bird, a farmer of that
county ; John E., also married and a regular graduate and practitioner
of medicine in Lincoln county; Virgil K., a telegraph operator at
Walloola Junction, Washington Territory; Charles M., married and
a farmer of Warren county; Cyrus E., engaged in the practice of
medicine with his father; Lucy N., Julia O. and Meroe A., the last
three at home. Adelbert and Mattie, the second and youngest child
respectively, are deceased. The Doctor and wife and several of their
children are members of the Christian Church ; the Doctor is also a
member of the A. F. and A. M.

EDWARD M. PRINGLE

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Lumber, Grain and Live Stock; also, Notary Public,

Foristell) .

Though hardly yet a man of middle age, Mr. Pringle has already
achieved a degree of success that would do credit to one late in the
evening of life and whose whole energy and intelligence had been well
enlisted in business and industrial affairs. Born in Warren county
September 18, 1845, he did not enter actively into business life until
about 15 years ago. Yet within that comparatively short period, by
his own energy and intelligence alone, he has placed himself in a
prominent position among the leading business men of St. Charles
county ; he is one of the principal general merchants of the western
part of the county, and also one of the leading dealers in lumber, grain
and live stock. Of general merchandise he carries a stock of about
$3,000 and of lumber about $2,000, and also owns his business build¬
ings and places of business ; his annual sales in these two lines aggre¬
gate over $40,000. Of grain he ships about 80,000 bushels a year,
and of live stock about $20,000 worth per annum. These facts speak
for themselves .and require no comment. Mr. Pringle resides at
Foristell and has an elegant and beautiful home, the handsomest place,
by all odds, at this point. He is a man of culture and high character,
as well as of superior business qualification, and stands well not only
at Foristell, but wherever he is known ; he is the eldest son of Dr.
Charles W. Pringle, whose sketch precedes this, and was reared on

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

523

his father’s farm, in Warren county, near Foristell. After taking the
usual course in the district schools he entered the University of Sc.
Louis, where he received an advanced general education. Afterwards
he followed farming for about a year, and then in 1868 was appointed
station agent at Foristell. This position he held for some 12 months,
but finding it too confining and that it afforded no opportunity for a
field of business activity commensurate with his ambition he resigned
it to enter into business life on his own account. He engaged in buy¬
ing and shipping grain and live stock from this point and at once met
with marked success; this he ever since continued; he also formed
a business partnership in general merchandising with A. E. Forder-
hase, the two continuing in business together for about seven years,
when Mr. P. bought his partner’s interest and still continued the
business. Later along he also opened a large lumber yard, and has
conducted this with success for several years. Mr. Pringle has
served in the commission of notary public for about 12 years and
transacts a great deal of business in this line for his neighbors and
acquaintances in St. Charles and Warren counties. March 17, 1874,
he was married to Miss Anna G. Webb, a daughter of James T. and
Sallie A. (Forney ) Webb, of St. Charles county. They have three
children : Edward C., Warren T. and John H. Mr. and Mrs. P. are
members of the Christian Church.

Rev. FATHER WILLIAM A. SCHMIDT

(Pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Dardenne) .

Father William Alexander Schmidt was born in Linn Creek, Cam¬
den county, Mo., June 13, 1855. His parents, Fred, and Rosalie
( nee Saettele) Schmidt, came to America from Baden, Germany, in
1849, and settled at Linn Creek a short time afterwards. At the age
of 13 young Schmidt began a private course of classical studies at
Alton, Ill., which he pursued there for four years. He then went to
Quincy, that State, where he continued his studies for two years
more. In 1874 he entered upon a philosophical course in the Diocesan
College at Ruma, Randolph county, Ill., and he subsequently pursued
his theological studies at the Arch-Diocesan Seminary of Milwaukee,
in St. Francis, Wis. Three years from the time he entered upon his
theological course he had completed all his preparatory studies, and
was accordingly ordained a priest in 1878, his ordination being for the
Arch-Diocese of St. Louis. Immediately thereafter he was appointed
assistant priest of St. Mary’s Church, at St. Louis, where he served
until 1879, when he was sent to the mission of Lake Creek, in Pettis
county, Mo. While there he also attended the charges at Spring
Fork, in the same county, and Cole Camp, in Benton county. In
November, 1880, Father Schmidt was recalled from the Lake Creek
mission and appointed pastor of St. Mary’s Church at Dardenne, in
St. Charles county, of which he has ever since had charge. As a
priest he is a man of thorough learning and profound piety, and is
earnestly and sincerely zealous in the cause of religion and the

524

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

church. In the chancel and in all the relations of his holy office, as
well as his walk and talk in private life, his conduct and character are
in conformity with the duties and proprieties of his station, and hap¬
pily illustrate the benign influence of Christianity upon its true fol¬
lowers. He is an able and eloquent pastor, and is greatly esteemed,
not only by his own parishioners, but bv the people of the community
at large.

JOHN SCHATZ and JOHN II . SCHIERMEIER

(Of Schatz & Schiermeier, Dealers in General Merchandise and Grain, Foristell).

The above named firm was organized January 1, 1883, when they
bought out the general merchandise stock of A. E. Forderhase at this
place and engaged in their present business. They carry a stock of
about $(5,000, and do an annual trade of some $20,000. In the grain line
they handle about 16,500 bushels of wheat and about 6,600 bushels of
oats. These facts show that they hold a position among the leading
business firms of the western part of the county. Both are men of
thorough business qualifications, ample experience and unquestioned
energy and enterprise, and the successful career they have thus far
had can hardly fail to continue in the future.

Mr. Schatz is a son of John G. and Mary E. (Kiburz) Schatz, his
father a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, but his mother.originally of
Obererlisbach, Switzerland. They early came to this country and re¬
sided in St. Louis for a number of years. The father is now retired
and both live at Foristell. John Schatz, the subject of this sketch, and
the eldest of five children, was born in St. Louis, April 26, 1855. He was
principally reared at Foristell, and after his school experience in youth
went out to the cigar maker’s trade, which he followed until 1875. He
then began clerking in a store at Foristell, and continued clerking
until he engaged in his present business. November 14, 1883, he was
married to Miss Minnie, a daughter of Paul and Francisca Oehler,
of St. Louis. Mr. S. is a member of the I. O. O. F.

John H. Schiermeier, the junior member of the above named firm,

was born in St. Charles county, February 1, 1861. His parents were

William and Catherine (Kronsbeiu) Schiermeier, both originally of

Hanover, Germany. His father became a substantial farmer of St.

Charles county, and served with courage and fidelity in the Union

army during the Civil War. John H. was reared on the farm in this

county and educated at the Central Wesleyan College of Warrenton.

He then engaged in clerking in the store of E. M. Pringle at Foristell.

However, before entering college he had followed clerking for about

two years in the store of E. H. Meier, at New Melle. In all he had
•/

clerked for over four years before engaging in his present business.

~ o O O r

HENRY SCHMUCKER

(Dealer in General Merchandise, and Farmer and Stock-raiser, Josephville, P. O.)

The career of Mr. Schmucker presents a striking example of the
success of German thrift — German industry, intelligence and econ-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

525

oray — in agricultural and business affairs in this country. He
commenced with as little to start on as the poorest of poor native
Americans. But he is now one of the substantial citizens of St.
Charles county. He has a large business in the general store line,
and a fine farm in addition, which is well improved and well
stocked. His tract of land contains over 600 acres, nearly all of
which is under fence and improved. His residence is a substantial
and commodious brick, and the other improvements correspond favor¬
ably with his dwelling. He also owns the business house occupied
by his store, an excellent brick building, well adapted to his business.
Mr. Schmucker has a large trade and is doing a flourishing business.
He was born in Ostraeden, in Prussia, November 1, 1832, and was a
son of Heinrich and Elizabeth Schmucker, both of old Prussian fam¬
ilies. There were five other children in the family besides Henry,
the subject of the present sketch. Only three of the others, how¬
ever, are now living. In 1836 the family immigrated to America and
settled in Warren county, where the father engaged in .farming.
They resided there for over 20 years and then removed to St. Charles
county, in 1857. The father served in the home guards during the
war, as did also Henry, who enlisted in Co. K, of the Missouri cavalry,
under Col. Bates, this being the regular Union service, however. He
remained out until the close of the war. After the war Mr.
Schmucker, the subject of the present sketch, resumed farming, which
he had previously followed, and has continued in this industry and
merchandising ever since. He has also been engaged in merchandis-
ing for a number of years. In 1857 Mr. S. was married to Miss
Frederika Panke, formerly of Germany. They have had eight chil¬
dren, six of whom are living: Marie, Heinrich, Elizabeth, Kathe,
Joseph, Vina and Saluma.

JOHN A. TALLEY, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Wentzville).

Among the old and well known families of Central Virginia is that
of which the subject of the present sketch is a representative. The
Talleys came to Virginia from the south of Scotland prior to the
Revolution, and since then branches of the family have become dis¬
persed throughout nearly all the States, particularly of the South
and West. Dr. Talley was a son of William P. and Francis (Daniel)
Tallev, of Cumberland, Va., and was born in that county July 5,
1813. There were eight other children in the family, but only three
of the others are now living. The father was a substantial farmer
and respected citizen of Cumberland county, and served he people
in the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. Dr. Tal¬
ley spent his env\y youth on his father's farm, and afterwards entered
Randolph-Macon College, where he concluded his general education.
He then began the study of medicine under his brother, Dr. Zach.
Talley, and in due time entered the medical department of the Uni¬
versity of Virginia, where he graduated with honor in 1840. Two

526

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

years later he came to Missouri and located in St. Charles county,
where he at once engaged in the active practice of his profession.
Dr. Talley has been engaged in the practice in this county almost con¬
tinuously since that time, or for a period of over 40 years. He
has long held the position of one of the old and well established phy¬
sicians of the county, and has been quite successful in his practice.
In 1853 he was nominated for and elected to the Legislature, where
he served the people with marked ability and public fidelity. He
was one of the active men of the county in forwarding the building
of the North Missouri Railroad, and was one of the prominent
directors of the company. In 1845 Dr. Tallev was married to Miss
Paulina C. Preston, a daughter of William R. and Elizabeth (Cabel)
Preston, of this county, but formerly of Bottetourt county, Va.
The Doctor and wife have been blessed with five children, but only
two of them are now living: William P. and Edwin P. The Doctor
is located at Wentzville, where he has valuable town property. He
is a prominent member of the Masonic order.

WILLIAM P. TALLEY, M.D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Post-office, St. Charles).

Dr. Talley is a son of Dr. John A. Talley, whose sketch appears on
a former page, and was born in this county December 3, 1846. He
early displayed a taste for studies of a medical character, and while
yet a youth decided to devote himself to the profession of medicine.
He was educated with that object in view, and took a course at St.
Charles College. Immediately after completing his college course he
began the regular study of medicine under his father, and later ma¬
triculated at the medical department of the State University of Vir¬
ginia. After a regular course of lectures at that institution he
graduated with honor in the class of ’68. Subsequently he took a
post-graduate course at the St. Louis Medical College, in which he also
received a diploma of graduation. In the fall of 1869 Dr. Talley
commenced the regular practice of his profession in this county.
Having a marked natural aptitude for the practice and being a phy¬
sician of thorough qualifications, he soon established himself in the
confidence of the public and acquired a good practice. His career in
the medical profession has been one of steady and uninterrupted suc¬
cess. In 1874 Dr. Talley was married in Marshall county, Miss., to
Miss Lucy P. Talley, a distant relative of his, born and reared in that
State. She was the daughter of Joseph H. and Josephene Talley. The
Doctor and Mrs. Talley have two children : Josephene H. and Pauline.
Two others are deceased, who died at tender ages.

CHARLES J. WALKER

(Attorney-at-Law, Wentzville).

Mr. Walker’s parents, Warren and Mary B. (Mays) Walker, wrere
early settlers of St. Charles county. They were from Rockingham

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

527

county, N. C., and came to this county in 1831. His father became a
successful farmer of the county, and one of its highly respected
citizens. There were seven in the family of children besides Charles
J., but only three of the others are living. Charles J. Walker, the
subject of this sketch, was born on his father’s homestead in this
county June 30, 1846. His earlier years were spent on the farm, and
in boyhood he attended the neighborhood schools. Subsequently
young Walker took a course at Central College, in Fayette, Mo., and
also attended for two terms at Pritchett Institute, of Glasgow, in
Howard county, this State. In 1868 he entered Dartmouth College,
N. H., where he took a regular course and graduated with honor in
1870. Meanwhile he had decided to devote himself to the profession
of the law, and he now entered upon his studies with that object in
view. But receiving about this time a flattering offer of a professor¬
ship in Pritchett Institute, at Glasgow, Mo., he accepted it, and for four
years afterwards was engaged in teaching in that institution. During
this time his leisure was occupied with the study of law, and on quit¬
ting teaching in 1874 he was prepared to enter upon the practice of
his profession. Accordingly he made application for license to practice
law, and was duly admitted to the bar. Since then he has been located
at Wentzville continuously, and has been engaged in the practice of
his profession at this place and in the courts of St. Charles and neigh¬
boring counties. Mr. Walker is a prominent landholder of the county,
and to some extent his time and attention are occupied with his real
estate interests. He is a man of thorough general education and well
grounded in the law, and has already proved himself to be an attorney
of marked ability. A man of irreproachable habits and of cultured,
pleasant manners, he is, as would be expected, highly esteemed in the
county, and wields a marked influence on those around him. Decem¬
ber 29, 1880, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Hattie Shore, of Tren¬
ton, Ill., a daughter of Benjamin Shore, deceased, formerly of St.
Charles county. Mrs. Walker is a lady of superior culture and refine¬
ment, and presides with rare grace and dignity over her refined and
elegant home at Wentzville. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have an attractive
home at this place, and a comfortable and tastily built residence, neatly
furnished and set off with a handsome yard and pleasant surroundings.
They have two children : Mary S. and Charles J.

WARREN W. WALKER

(Farmer and School-teacher, Wentzville).

An outline of the history of the Walker family in this county has
been given briefly in a sketch of Charles J. Walker, which precedes
this. It is therefore unnecessary to occupy space here with the record
of the different removals of the family, and their final settlement in
this county. Warren W. Walker, an elder brother to Charles J., was
born on the old family homestead in this county July 4, 1838. He
was brought up to the occupation of a farmer and in youth availed him¬
self to the full benefit to be had in the occasional schools kept in the

528

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

neighborhood. Having a marked natural taste for study and mental
culture, he succeeded in acquiring more than an average education in
the general English branches. Later along he became a school-teacher
and has followed that occupation more or less continuously up to the
present time. Mr. Walker has also been interested in farming all this
time, and has shown himself to be a good manager of the affairs of the
farm. He has an excellent place of about 300 acres, not all of which,
however, is in cultivation. Mr. Walker was married in 1863 to Miss
Mary M. Allen, a daughter of Hon. William M. Allen, whose sketch
appears on a former page of the present volume. Five children are
the fruits of this union, namely: Warren A., Eddie 8., Lizzie, Min¬
nie and Charles H. He and his wife are members of theM. E. Church.
Excepting two years spent in Howard county, including 1881, Mr. W .
has been a continuous resident of St. Charles county from his birth.

HENRY W. WILLIAMS

(Druggist and Proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, Foristell).

•

Mr. Williams, born and reared in St. Charles county, had good
advantages for mental culture and received more than an average
general education. After taking a course in the district school he
attended the Wentzville Academv, and from there matriculated at the
State Normal school in Kirksville, where he familiarized himself with
the higher branches. Following this he returned to his native county
and engaged in teaching, carrying on farming also at the same time.
He continued to teach during the school months of each year until
1879, when he withdrew from that occupation and on the 1st of July
engaged in the drug business at Foristell, also opening his present
hotel on the 1st of March, 1881. He is still interested in farming,
and has a place of 80 acres of well improved land adjacent to town.
In the drug line he carries a good stock of about $800 value and has
an annual trade of over $2,000. His experience in the drug business
has been one satisfactory to himself, and his trade has steadily
increased from the first. The Commercial House, the hotel of which
he is the proprietor, and which he conducts, is liberally patronized,
especially by commercial travelers who have given it the name of
being one of the best houses in a small town on the line of the
Wabash Railroad. Mr. Williams was born in this county, May 25,
1850, at Millerville. His father was Samuel W. Williams, a native
of Virginia, born in Amelia county, on the 29th of June, 1818. His
mother was a Miss Martha L. Johnson before her marriage ; was
born in that county December 2, 1821. They were married there
August 28, 1839, and removed to Missouri the same year. They
settled in St. Charles county, where they made their permanent home.
The father died here August 26, 1854. The mother is still living
and is now a resident of Foristell. The father was a farmer and
tobacco dealer, and became comfortably situated. He was one of
the well known and well respected citizens of the countv. Henrv
W. was the sixth in the family of eight children, all of whom are

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

529

living and are now themselves the heads of families. They are :
Napoleon E., John P., Mary L., Samuel R., Marshall W., Sarah A.,
Martha W., and the subject .of this sketch. Henry W. Williams was
married October 23, 1881, to Miss Margaret E. Gilkey, a daughter
of Richard E. and Caroline (Dyer) Gilkey, of St. Charles county.
They have one child, Martha E., born August 10, 1882. Mr. W. is
a member of the Christian Church, and his wife of the M. E. Church
South.

DUDLEY C. WRAY

(Railway Station Agent, Gilmore) .

Young Wray is well known as one of the efficient and popular station
agents in the employ of the Wabash. He was born and reared in this
county, and has therefore been known to the people in this part of the
county from childhood. In boyhood he was studious and received a
good average education in the ordinary English branches. At an
early age he evinced a predilection for business life, not desiring to
make a farmer of himself. A good penman, quick at figures, and
apt and active in attending to business matters, he soon became well
qualified for business work after obtaining an opportunity to learn
it. He has been the regular agent at this place since the spring of
1882, but had previously had valuable experience in railroad matters.
October 25, 1882, he was married to Miss Lula P. Savage, a daughter
of J. W. and Ruth K. Savage. They have one child, Heether S. Mr.
W. is a son of J. W. and Mary S. (Bond) Wray, his father originally
from North Carolina, but his mother from Virginia. His father came
herein 1829, where he was afterwards married. Both parents are
still living, and are residents of this county. His father is a success¬
ful and retired farmer. Both are old and exemplary members of the
M. E. Church South. They reared five children, all of whom are
living. Dudley C., the eldest of the five now living, was born June
25, 1859.

ALEXANDER YOUNG

(Deiler in Agricultural Implemauts, Wagon Miker and General Blacksmithing,

Foristell) .

Mr. Young came to Foristell in 1879 and established a blacksmith
shop at this place. Since then, although absent a year shortly after¬
wards, he has succeeded in building up what may be fairly termed a
large business, considering the size of Foristell and the trade of the
surrounding country. He has added a full line of agricultural imple¬
ments to his business, and manufactures wagons and other vehicles as
well as doing general blacksmithing and repairing. He employsthree
men, and has an annual business of over $6,000. Mr. Young is a
native of Ireland, but is of Scotch origin on his father’s side. He was
born in the county Down, July 16, 1853. His father, James Young,
was a farmer of that county, and came there when a young man, from
Scotland. His mother, formerly a Miss Mary Clint, was born and

530

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

reared in the county Down. Both are still living, residents of that
county. They are Protestants and members of the M. E. Church.
Alexander was the fifth of nine children. While yet in boyhood he
was sent across into Cumberland, England, where he had some rela¬
tives, and was there brought up to the blacksmith’s trade. Subse¬
quently, after growing up and starting out for himself, he engaged in
the stationery business at Claytonmr 'e, England. However, he soon
resumed his trade, and until 1879 worked at it in different parts of
England, Ireland and Scotland. He then came to America and es¬
tablished himself at Foristell. July 14, 1881, he was married at St.

Louis to Miss Sarah J. Ferguson, a daughter of Alexander and Mary
A. Ferguson, formerly of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Young have two

children: Minnie and James A. He and wife are members of the

M. E. Church.

HISTORY

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MISSOURI.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND EARLY HISTORY.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

The county of Montgomery is bounded on the north by the counties
of Audrain and Pike, east by Lincoln and Warren, south by Warren
and the Missouri river ( which stream separates it from Gasconade),
and Yvest by Callaway and Audrain. The county contains 327,129
acres. From north to south its extreme length is nearly 32 miles,
following the range line between ranges 5 and 6. From east to west
its extreme width is 20 miles.

According to one of its best informed citizens, Col. L. A. Thomp¬
son, editor of the Ray , at Montgomery City, Montgomery county is
part of the high lands in the fork of the Missouri and Mississippi
rivers, with an eastern boundary 68 miles west of St. Louis and 30
miles from the Mississippi river, and the entire southern boundary is
washed by the Missouri river. The watershed between the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers runs through the county from south-east to north¬
west. It is so sharply defined at Montgomery City that the rain
water falling on the northern side of the railroad track flows into the

(531)

532

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Mississippi, while that falling on the south side makes its way into
the Missouri.

As to the topography of the county, Col. Thompson says that more
than two-thirds of the territory, including the northern and central
portions, is beautiful rolling prairie, well interspersed by clear running
streams, along the banks of which are rich bottoms, choice up¬
lands and thrifty growing timber. The southern portion slopes grad¬
ually to the Missouri bottom. The country is rarely diversified by fine
landscapes, beautiful valleys and great bottoms, and is abundantly
watered by living springs, spring branches and large creeks. The
lands that have not been reduced to cultivation are covered bv vast
forests of various kinds of timber, including oak, hickory, ash, elm,
birch, sycamore, persimmon, cherry, mulberfy, pawpaw, cottonwood,
basswood, white maple, sugar maple and walnut. Thousands of wal¬
nut logs have been taken from these forests to Eastern markets.

Regarding the adaptability of Montgomery soil for general agricul¬
tural purposes, Dr. Mordecai M. Maughs wrote as follows in Wetmore's
Gazetteer (p. 124) in 1837 : —

Although the soil of Montgomery may lack some constituent princi¬
ple necessary to the production of heavy crops of corn, tobacco of a
superior quality is here produced, and such as might be mistaken by
an experienced inspector for the James river leaf. Hemp, wheat and
grasses are cultivated with uniform success in Montgomery. The
farmers of this county find stock-raising a profitable pursuit, and in
this operation horses, horned cattle and hogs are produced for a for¬
eign market.

The western part of the county is well watered and drained by the
Loulre river, its largest tributaries, Prairie fork and Clear fork and
the smaller streams of Quick and Murdock creeks and Dry fork flowing
easterly, and Whip-poor-will and South Bear creeks flowing south¬
erly into Loutre river. The high prairies in the northern and north¬
eastern parts of the county are well watered and drained by Coal
creek, which flows southerly into Clear fork of Loutre, in the western
edge of the county, White Oak, Walker, Elk Horn and Brush creeks
in the north-east, and North Bear and Price’s creeks in the eastern
part.

The soil now is generally productive, and, taking the county over,
yields all grains, grasses, fruits, vegetables, vines, plants and herbs
peculiar to the Mississippi valley. The grain and grass yield is so
large that stock growing is easy and remunerative. Many large
herds of cattle, sheep and hogs are annually brought into this county

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

533

and fatted for market. Wool growing is a fruitful business, even
with the ordinary care given to sheep.

The dairy business is very profitable. Many farmers realize large
incomes annually, by shipping milk to St. Louis. Others, with
apparently less labor, have found cheese-making equally profitable.
The New Florence creamery utilizes a large proportion of the milk in
that section, and other establishments of the same sort are in con¬
templation at other points in the county.

Skillful and industrious men have been amply rewarded by the
culture of large fruits, such as apples, peaches, pears, plums and
quinces, and invariably more than quadrupled the value of their
small farms. Montgomery county is famous for its abundance of fine
apples, thousands of bushels being annually shipped from the county.
Yet but few apple growers pay particular attention to their orchards.
If they bear abundantly, well and good : if not, “ it’s all right.”

Grape culture has been a source of wealth to many farmers in this

county, especially among the German residents of the southern part

of the county. Many premiums have been awarded grapes grown

and wine pressed in this county, and some of these premiums have

been given by the agricultural and horticultural societies at Hermann,

the headquarters of the grape-growers and vintners of Missouri.

But of late years the phylloxera has gotten its deadly work in on the

grapes in this county, and elsewhere in this section, and the pursuit

of wine growing does not pay as it once did. Indeed, some vine-

keepers are quite in despair over the ill success they have with their

vinevards.

«/

Some horticulturists have been trebly rewarded for growing the
smaller fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and cur¬
rants, for local and remote markets.

Tobacco grows well and its culture has ever been profitable to
small producers. Much of it is prized and manufactured or made
into cigars, for local consumption and foreign markets. The western
portion of the county, especially Danville and the northern portion of
Loutre township, produces large quantities of good tobacco. The
white burley is a favorite variety. The establishment of the tobacco
manufactory at Montgomery City has been of great advantage to the
tobacco growers of the county in giving them a home market.

The economic geology of the county is important. As to stone
there is such an abundance as to make it a disadvantage to many por¬
tions of the county. The whole country is underlaid with it, and in
the southern and western and in many other portions of the county

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

534

it is exposed in convenient and readily accessible positions. And yet,
as Col. Thompson says, “the unlimited quantities of the various
trades of limestone remain untouched and almost unnoticed, and the
beautiful cotton rock is rarely made use of, nor is the value of the
snow white [saccharoidal] and cream colored [ferruginous] sandstone
scarcely admitted.”

What is called the Danville marble, a species of limestone, is sus¬
ceptible of fine polish, but has not been sufficiently developed to be
brought into practical use.

Vast coal banks have been discovered, some of which have been
opened and are being made valuable to the owners and useful to con¬
sumers.

Fire clays in large quantities, and, by competent judges, declared
equal in variety and quality to anything of the kind yet found on this
continent, have been discovered and are being shipped to manufactur¬
ing cities for use.

Mineral paint, much similar to Venetian red, is abundant and has
been practically tested. As to quality it is said to bear favorable
comparison with the celebrated Vermont mineral paint. Some of it
has been shipped abroad and has given full satisfaction.

As to medicinal springs, without which no county in Missouri
seems, in these days, to be of much importance, the Mineola, or
Lo litre Lick Springs are, beyond reasonable doubt, among the best
mineral springs in the world. Many learned persons, who have used
the waters of the most distinguished mineral springs in the United
States and in Europe, prefer the waters of Loutre Lick Springs to
all others that they have tested. The use of these springs is free
to all.

Earlier writers on Montgomery county attached much importance
to its mineral resources. But their seeming expectations that the
future would show the existence of lead and iron here in considerable
quantities have not been realized. Speaking of the economic geology
of the county, in 1837, Dr. M. M. Maughs wrote ( Wetmore' s
Gazetteer , page 123) as follows : —

The mineral resources of this county have not been developed, but
the sub-stratum of the whole country appears to be strongly impreg¬
nated with iron. Some very rich lumps of ore have been found on
the surface of several hundred pounds weight, small specimens of
genuine galena have been picked up in the broken grounds of the
county, and abundance of miners’ tiff, of almost diamond luster and
hardness, has been discovered in this county. The rivulets abound

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

535

in ochreous pebbles, with every variety and shade of silicious stones,
and slaty soapstone.

Loutre Lick is situated in this county, where salt was made by
some of the early settlers ; but the water, as it flows from the earth
here, mixed with fresh veins, is too weak to be worked profitably.
The bituminous coal that has been found in Montgomery has been
used in furnaces of the blacksmiths, with and without coking. Sev¬
eral varieties of limestone and sandstone exist in this county, and the
rock called millstone grit, or the <{ lost rock,” is found in detached
masses, apparently rounded by attrition, of foreign aspect, and half
imbedded in the earth.

The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway traverses the territory
for a distance of 30 miles and furnishes transportation for the most
of the county. People in the southern or river district travel and
ship by the Missouri river and the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which is
on the southern bank of the river. The citizens of the northern part
of the county have the privilege of the Chicago and Alton Railroad,
which is within a few miles of the northern boundary, and curves
around west via Mexico, intercepting the Missouri Pacific Railroad at
Jefferson City. Besides these is the St. Louis and Keokuk Railroad,
within a reasonable distance, which connects the Wabash, St. Louis
and Pacific Railroad with the Chicago and Alton ; so that, in addition
to being traversed by one of the best railroads in the State, and
bounded on one side by the great Missouri river, Montgomery county
is virtually encompassed by connecting lines of railroads.

EARLY HISTORY - THE FIRST EUROPEANS.

At least the greater portion of Montgomery county was well known
to the first Europeans that ventured up the Missouri. In the year
1705 the French ascended the Missouri as high as the mouth of the
Kansas river ( now Kansas City). As the object of all expeditions
undertaken in those days in Missouri was the discovery of gold and
silver, it is reasonable to conclude that the explorers did not fail to
examine the rockv “ knobs” and hills on both sides of the river, and
of course did not pass by those of this county unnoticed and unin¬
spected. The fur trade, too, was another inducement to the French
occupation and ultimate settlement of Missouri, and as the Otter
island and Otter river (Loutre) have been so called from time im¬
memorial, it is but fair to infer that this island and this stream were
examined by the very first trappers who came up the river and who
caught otters along their banks.

536

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

About the year 1722 the French ascended the Missouri, under M.
De Bourgmont, and five miles below the mouth of Grand river, on
an island, built a fort which they called Ft. Orleans. This fort was
commanded by one Sergt. Dubois, who had married an Indian woman,
one of the tribe of Missouris. In 1725 Ft. Orleans was attacked,
totally destroyed and its inmates all massacred. By whom this bloody
work was done has never been recorded, but it is probable that the
authors of it were the Sacs, Foxes and other northern Indians, who
were the enemies of the French and their allies, the Missouris. There
was some passing up and down the river while Ft. Orleans existed,
and it is not improbable that the Loutre was ascended during this
time, as the Gasconade certainly was.

After the year 1764, when St. Louis was founded, and the great
Louisiana country passed into the hands of Spain, and especially
after Les Petites Cotes (the little hills — St. Charles) was settled,
travel up the Missouri as high as the mouth of the Loutre was fre¬
quent. And then the inquisitive Spaniards and more inquisitive
French, who had become the subjects of His Catholic Majesty, cer¬
tainly passed up into the country now called Montgomery county.

Somebody was up the Loutre before the first Americans. As late
as 1820 there was in existence, on the top of a high bluff on the south
side of the Loutre and overlooking the stream, a stone enclosure,
evidently made with human hands, and the hands of civilized beings.
This bluff stands on the north-east quarter of section 23, township
47, range 6, in the southern part of Danville township, about four
miles north of Americus. The enclosure was of considerable extent
and contained several chambers. It was composed of pieces of flat
limestone, which had evidently been carried some distance, and these
were laid one on the other, with the joints broken, “ as if done by a
mason who understood his business.” It did not seem that the
building — if it was a building — was ever completed. The early
settlers did not understand it, and if the Indians knew anything about
it they would not, or did not, tell what the enclosure was, or who
built it. Mr. W. B. Snethen and others, who were in the county in
1815-20, have seen this remarkable structure.

Wherever the French trappers could catch an otter or beaver, or
even a muskrat or mink, there they wended their way and set their
traps, and Loutre and Bear creek, and Whippoorwill, and even Elk-
horn and Whitestone, abounded with these varieties of fur-bearing
animals in early days. There was beaver in Loutre even as late
as 1816.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

537

THE FIRST AMERICANS.

It is claimed that Daniel M. Boone, son of old Daniel Boone, was
the first American bona fide and actual settler in Missouri. He came
to the St. Charles country in 1794, and the next year his father came
with his family. In the year 1798 Samuel Boone made his contract
with M. Zenon Trudeau, the Spanish commandant at St. Louis, to
bring 100 American families from Kentucky and Virginia to Upper
Louisiana, for which service he was to receive 10,000 arpens of land.
In pursuance of this contract Boone induced a number of Kentucky
families to come out the same year and locate. These came up into
the Femme Osage country, and it is believed some of them came to
Loutre island. It must be borne in mind that at this time all of this
country belonged to Spain, and the only banner of authority that
waved over the land was the flag of Castile.

In 1803 the country passed into the hands and under the control of
the United States, having for three years previously been under French
denomination.

In the year 1800 there were at least a dozen families on Loutre
island, and in what is now the southern part of the county. One of
these was Lewis Groshong, whose son, Jacob Groshong, born in
1800, was the first white child born in this county, and there were
other families named Cole, Patton, Murdock and Lewis. (See his¬
tory of Loutre township.) The settlements in what is now War¬
ren county were so closely identified and interwoven with those of
Montgomery that at this late day it is difficult to separate them.
Sometimes a settler would be on one side of where the county line
runs now, for one week, and the next he would cross over. The few
old settlers now living can not remember just where some of the
pioneers lived — whether in Warren or in Montgomery.

The influx of Kentuckians under Col. Ben Cooper and others in
1808 is mentioned in the chapter devoted to the history of Loutre
township. The departure of Col. Cooper and others for the Boone’s
Lick country in 1810 is also noted. The settlements of Laney Bow¬
lin at the Big Spring of John Snethen on Dry fork in 1807-08 were
probably the first made in the interior of the county. Others were
scattered about on Bear creek, Whippoorwill creek and the Loutre.

CHAPTER II.

DURING. THE INDIAN WARS.

TROUBLE WITH THE INDIANS.

As always upon the opening of a new country the settlers had not
only to subdue the wilderness, to conquer the wild beasts of the forest,
but there were the cruel, crafty savages, who, human beings though
they were, were more dreaded, and more to be dreaded, than beasts
or brambles. The Indians fought the Americans in Missouri from the
start. It does not seem that — so far as this county was concerned —
there was anything like amity and good feeling between the first set¬
tlers of Montgomery and the Indians at any time. As to the fair
right of the Indians to keep the whites out of the country, after the
United States came into possession of it, the truth is such a right did
not exist. The Indians did not own this country ; their homes were
not here ; at the best they used it only as a hunting ground. Con¬
cerning the tribal ownership of the country Dr. M. M. Maughs, who
made due investigation of the matter upon his first coming to the
county (1812), wrote in 1837 : —

The vicinity of Loutre belonged originally to the Missouris, a
tribe which appears to have been in possession of a large tract of
country ; owing, however, to their wars with the Osages, Ioways
[Iowas], Ottos [Otoes], Omahas, Puncas [Poncas] and other tribes,
the country in this vicinity frequently changed masters ; and, at the
time that the narrator (Maj. Van Bibber) emigrated to- this countrv,
was in possession of the Sacs and Foxes. The claim of the Sacs and
Foxes, however, was merely nominal ; the Spanish government allowed
no Indian claims within the limits of the King’s domain ; and the
Sacs and Foxes claimed the country as their hunting grounds only,
the right to which they obtained from the Spanish government.

(538)

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 539

But, whether they had a right to the country or not, the Indians
held that they had a right to kill a white man whenever and wherever
they could do so with tolerable safety, and also to deprive him of his
property under the same conditions. The American settlers here were
not the aggressors upon the Indians. The latter — who were the
Sacs, Foxes and Pottawatomies — had their natural homes to the far
north, from the mouth of the Des Moines river, in Southern Iowa, to
the Rock river, in Wisconsin, and westward to the Missouri. When¬
ever they came down to the Missouri river country they were trespas¬
sers and intruders.

In 1806 a party of settlers from the Femme Osage settlement, led
by Wm. T. Cole, of Loutre island, went up to the Loutre prairie to
hunt elk, with which the prairie abounded. As near as can now be
determined, somewhere near the present site of High Hill, they met
some hostile Indians who drove them back to the settlements. No¬
body was killed at this time, but the event was sufficient to teach the
whites what they had to expect.

THE ILL-FATED EXPEDITION OF FIVE LOUTRE ISLANDERS.

The next year, 1807, occurred the memorable expedition of the five
Loutre Islanders, the Cole brothers, James Patton, John Gooch and
James Murdock, after their stolen horses which the Indians had taken.
This expedition resulted in the death of Patton, Gooch and Stephen
Cole, and the narrow escape of William T. (Temple) Cole and Mur¬
dock. Rose (p. 498) gives the date of this unfortunate expedition as
“ the summer of 1812.” Switzler (p. 174) gives it as “ in July,
1810;” but Dr. Maughs, who wrote in 1837, and who obtained his
particulars from Maj. Van Bibber, Col. Talbott, the Pattons, and
others of the very first settlers who were either here at the time or
came soon after, gives it as “ about 1806-07.” McAfee’s “ History
of the late war in the Western Country ” gives it as “ the summer
of 1807,” and the writer has other evidence and a settled belief that
this is the correct date.

Dr. Maughs’ account, published in Wetmore' s Gazetteer (1837), is
herewith given as the best circumstantial account to be found : —

Of the earliest settlements of the country Loutre island may be
considered as one of the first ; and among the first settlers of that part
of the country were Temple and Stephen Cole (two brothers), Patten,
Gooch and Murdock. About the year 1806-07 a small party, consist¬
ing of seven or eight Indians, Sacs and Pottawatomies, stole the
horses of these settlers, and committed sundry depredations in the

540

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

neighborhood. In consequence of this foray they were pursued by
the Coles, Patton, Gooch and Murdock, who came in sight of them
one evening on the Salt river prairies. Towards night the men made
their encampment, kindled a fire, etc., probably with the intention of
dealing with the Indians next morning ; but in this they were antici¬
pated by the savages, who attacked them furiously in the night.
Temple Cole, Patton and Gooch were killed at the first onset.
Murdock slipped under the bank of Spencer creek, near by, leaviug
Stephen Cole alone to contend with the enemy. Two stout Indians
closed upon him ; one of them stabbed him from behind, near the
shoulder, the other encountered him in front. Cole, being1 a very
powerful man, wrenched the knife out of the hand of the Indian in
front and killed him ; but having to contend with such odds he sought
safety in flight, and was fortunate enough to make his escape, favored
of course by the darkness of the night. Having reached home he
collected a party of men and returned to bury the dead. Murdock,
not being acquainted with the roads, did not reach home for several
days.

Some writers in narrating this circumstance (McClearey among
them) made the mistake of putting down one of the men who was
killed as “ Temple.” There was no man of that name in the party.
The initial “ T” in the name of William T. Cole stood for Temple,
and he was commonly called “Temple” Cole. This fact and the
insertion of a comma in the wrong place makes certain writers state
that “ the party was composed of Temple , Cole, Patton,” etc.

The locality where the Indians were overtaken is not certainly
recorded. Rose says : “ Many years afterward the skulls of the mur¬
dered men were found near where they fell, and the stream upon
the bank of which they had camped was named ‘Skull Lick,’ the
latter part of the name being derived from a deer lick not far dis¬
tant, on the same stream.” Rose further says this was “ now in
Audrain county.” But Switzler says the white men came upon the
Indians “ at Bone Lick, a branch of Salt river, and within the pres-
ent limits of Ralls county.”

Both Maughs and Switzler say that it was under the banks of
Spencer creek where Murdock found a safe retreat, and Dr. Maughs
says the Indians were found “ on the Salt river prairies.” It is quite
probable that the men were killed in Ralls county, as Switzler says.
Rose’s statement as to the finding of the skulls which led to the nam¬

ing of Skull Lick is partially true, but they were not the skulls of
Patton, Gooch and Temple Cole, as Maughs speaks of the return of
a party, headed by Stephen Cole, to bury the dead, and of course
if the bodies were buried their skulls could not be easilv found.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

541

But the several accounts are mixed as to which one of the Coles
was killed. Rose says it was Stephen Cole, and that Temple Cole es¬
caped. Switzler agrees that it was William T. Cole that fought the
hard fight and escaped, but Switzler calls Stephen Cole “ Samuel ” —
doubtless a slip of the pen. The truth is as Dr. Maughs states it.
Temple Cole was killed. Stephen Cole escaped, and there is no name
better known in the history of the Boone’s Lick country than his, It
was he who in 1812 built Cole’s fort, the first county seat of Howard
county, and it was for him that Cole county was named. Capt. Cole
was killed by the Indians on the plains while engaged in the Santa Fe
trade, about 1824.

In the years 1808-09—10-11 there was some emigration to “ the
Missouri country,” as it was called, and Montgomery got her share
of the pioneers, who were chiefly from Kentucky. The country up
and down Loutre was thoroughly explored by the hunters, who kept
one eye out for game and the other for Indians. While traversing the
knobs in the southern part of what is now the county it is said they
would crawl cautiously up on the south side to the summit and peer
cautiously over toward the north, east and west, looking for Indians.
At this day but few of the knobs were covered with timber ; they were
mostly bare and sterile, owing to the annual burning of the woods by
the Indians, and the slowness with which timber crept up the dry,
stony hillsides.

Then came the War of 1812, or last War with Great Britain as it is
often called, and the plight of the settlers in this quarter was a peril¬
ous one. From its exposed situation and the thinness of the popula¬
tion Missouri Territory, especially the upper portion, suffered severely
from the effects of Indian and British hostility during and even
previous to this war. Tecumseh had visited Malden in Canada, and
had received presents and promises from the British authorities there.
On his return he endeavored to engage all the Indians in common
cause against the Americans. But the Indians on the Missouri con¬
tinued for some time to be peaceable. At last the Northern Indians —
the cruel Sacs and Foxes, led by that bloody-minded and ambitious
“ brave ” Black Hawk — descended the Mississippi and joined in the
war against the whites.

With few exceptions, the Indians on the Missouri remained peace¬
able until the summer of 1811, when thev committed some outrages in
the Boone’s Lick settlement, and on Salt and Cuivre rivers. Gen.
Clark, who commanded this department, made every exertion to de¬
tect the murderers ; but, as the American force was not yet organized,

542

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

it proved unavailing. During the winter of 1811-12 murders became
more frequent, and this territory began to suffer all the dreadful
effects of Indian warfare. The Winnebagoes, determined to have
revenge for their loss at Tippecanoe, continually displayed hostile in¬
tentions. From Fort Madison to St. Charles, men, women and chil¬
dren were continually put to death, and their habitations were
consigned to the flames by their unrelenting foes.

Upon receipt of this melancholy intelligence, Gov. Benjamin
Howard sent orders to Col. Kibby, who commanded the militia of St.
Charles, to call out a portion of the men who had been in requisition
to march at a moment’s warning. An express was also sent to the
officer commanding the regular forces of his district, and the Gover¬
nor himself immediately set out for St. Charles. On his arrival at
this place he organized a company of rangers, consisting of the most
hardy woodsmen, who scoured by constant and rapid movements the
tract of country from Salt river to the Missouri, near the junction of
the Loutre. He also established a small fort on the Mississippi,
which was garrisoned by a body of regular troops detached from
Bellefontaine, under the command of Lieut. Mason. With these he
was enabled, in a considerable degree, to afford protection to the ex¬
posed frontiers.

About the beginning of May, 1812, the chiefs of the Great and
Little Osages, the Sacs, Reynards or Foxes, Shawnees and Delawares
met in St. Louis, in order to -accompany Gen. Clark to Washington
City ; a plan which it was thought would have a happy effect. After
their departure few outrages were committed by the Indians for a con¬
siderable time; and although large parties of them continually lurked
about Fort Mason and the other posts on the Mississippi, such was the
vigilance of the regulars and rangers then on duty, that they were
generally frustrated in their designs. But Tecumseh and his brother,
the prophet, were becoming more and more popular among the Indians,
and so long as this was the case, no favorable termination of the con¬
test could be expected. Many, it is true, were, as they always had
been, opposed to his ambitious views ; but the majority in his favor
was so great that these were obliged to submit.

On the 26th of June, 1812, a council was held between the follow¬
ing nations of the Indians, viz. : the Winnebagoes, Pottawatomies,
Kickapoos, Shawnees, Miamis, Wild Oats (from Green Bay), Sioux
(from the river Des Moines), Otoes, Sacs, Foxes and Iowas. The
five first named were decidedly in favor of the prophet, but some
others refused any participation in the war with the United States ;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

543

and the remainder were unwilling to give any decided answer, but
rather encouraged the idea that they would unite with the hostile
tribes. Thus, through the influence of the prophet, many of the
tribes who had been uniformly at peace with the Americans now ap¬
peared in arms on the frontiers of the territory, and were only waiting
for the removal of the rangers to commence a dreadful slaughter.1

FIRST VICTIM OF THE WAR - HARRIS MASSEY.

The first victim of the war in Montgomery county was Harris
Massey, who was killed at Loutre Lick, in the spring of 1813. In
the previous winter months his father, Thomas Massey, had left the
shelter of Fort Clemson, on Loutre island, where he had settled in
1809, and came to the Lick, having leased the land from Col. Nathan
Boone, to whom the Spaniards had granted it 15 years before. Massey
had built a cabin on the north side of the little stream known as
Sallie’s branch, and had cleared a little field on the south side.

His second son, Thomas, was a member of Col. Nathan Boone’s
company of rangers, and Rose says that on one occasion during the
war he, with others, was scouting over in Illinois, and coming upon an
old Indian and his son, they took the latter prisoner, but let his father
go ; that then they cruelly murdered the boy ; that in order to avenge
this wrong a party of Sac warriors, to which tribe the old man belonged,
went to the house of Thomas Massey’s father and killed his son,
Harris. This story is very preposterous, and he who is deceived
thereby is not wise. It would have been more plausible if Mr. Rose
had explained how the Indians came to know the names of every one
of the rangers that did the alleged killing, where they lived, where
their fathers lived, and whether or not they had male relatives on
whom they might wreak their vengeance, and especially how it came
that the Indians selected the particular brother of Thomas Massey as
their victim. Black Hawk, in his “ Life,” states that he killed some
of the settlers on the Cuivre, in Lincoln county, to avenge the murder
of the son of an old friend of his, and it is probable that from this
yarn the author of the story referred to above got his materials.

Young Harris Massey was killed under the following circumstances :
His father had gone up the Loutre to look at some Indian signs
that had been discovered the evening before. When he left he set
Harris at work in the little cleared field south of the branch t© plow
with a team of horses. He directed the boy to tie his rifle to his back

JDr. Beck.

544

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

while at work, and if the Indians appeared to fire on them at once.
After a time the boy, as is supposed, grew weary of carrying the gun
and set it against a tree near the cleared ground. About 10 o’clock
in the day a band of Indians, presumably Sacs,1 slipped down Sallie’s
branch and crawling under the bank approached within 100 yards of
the boy. Two Indians fired and the boy fell. With savage yells the
“ noble red men ” sprang out into the clearing, and running up to the
body proceeded to offer it every brutal indignity. They tore off
the scalp and then gave it a loathsome mutilation hardly to be
described.

Mr. Massey’s family, at the house, were in plain view of the
frightful tragedy when it was perpetrated. They screamed in great
alarm, and Ann, one of the daughters, seized upon the dinner horn
and blew one loud, long blast after another upon it. This seemed to
disconcert the Indians and they soon fled. The statement, sometimes
made, that they mistook the sound of the horn for the rangers’ bugle
is only guesswork. Mr. Massey heard the horn and hastened home.
The Indians had not taken away his horses and he gathered up his
family as best he could, and started for Fort Clemson, on Loutre
island, distant by the nearest trail eighteen miles — fifteen “as the
crow flies.” How the poor fugitives made their way that long, toil¬
some distance, over the rough, stony hills and through the wilderness,
expecting every moment to be ambushed by the Indians, with the
memory of the murder of their brother and son ever before them,
can only be imagined.

A party went out and gathered up the mangled body of young
Massey and buried it on the hillside, a little south of where he
fell.

Thereafter, for some time, there was no attempt at settling the
country on the part of the Loutre Islanders. They preferred to
remain quietly close by the fort.

KILLING OF DANIEL DOUGHERTY AND ADVENTURE OF GROOM AND

STEWART.

In the spring of 1814 occurred the next tragedyin the Montgomery
count}7 settlements. A man named Daniel Dougherty was killed by
the Sac Indians at the Big Spring. He belonged to the colony at
Loutre fort, or Fort Clemson, and volunteered to go up to a salt

1 Dr. Maughs says they were Sacs and Pottawatomies.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

545

petre cave on Clear Creek, about four miles south-east of Danville
(about the center of section 8-47-5), to get some saltpetre with which
to manufacture powder. At that time pioneers made all their own
powder themselves. As he did not return at the appointed time,
some of the colonists became uneasy, and Jacob Groom and Jack
Stewart volunteered to go in search of him.

Groom and Stewart set out from Fort Clemson on horseback, .tak¬
ing the trail to the cave by way of the Big Spring.1 Previous to this.
Groom had lived at the spring, having purchased the claim embracing
it from Laney Bowlin, its first settler. A quarter of a mile north of
the spring, and a short distance north of ’Possum branch, as the two
men were riding along leisurelv, Stewart suddenly called out :
“ Lord ! Jake, look at the Indians ! ” Sure enough, there they were,
only a hundred yards in front, a cloud of them !

The two scouts turned to fly. The Indians, only half of whom were
mounted, pursued them. Such yelling and hooting ! Crossing ’Pos¬
sum branch Groom’s horse jumped with a mighty leap and Groom’s
saddle turned — his feet being out of the stirrups. But he clung to
his horse, and unbuckled his saddle and let it fall. The Indians were
firing and Groom’s horse was slightly wounded ; as they emerged into
the clearing near Groom’s house, at the spring, the Indians gave them
a good volley. Stewart’s horse was seriously wounded, and Stewart
himself was struck in the heel.

A mile south Stewart’s poor horse staggered and fell. Groom
stopped, and seeing that Stewart could make but slow progress with
his wounded leg, took him on his horse.

Luckily both men reached the fort in safety that day. There was
of course great excitement, and pickets were at once put out and all
the outlying settlers warned in. There was a general appreciation of
Groom’s courage and self-sacrificing disposition, as there ought to be
admiration for him to-day, and no wonder that Groom had so many
admirers among the old settlers. Yet this is the same Jacob Groom
whom Mr. Rose unfortunately saw proper to caricature so shamefully
in his book !

Capt. Clemson and the people at the fort expected an attack at once
and prepared for it, but it did not come. In a few days a company
of rangers came out and found the body of Dougherty half way up
the hill from the Big Spring (north part of section 32-47-5) and

1 It must be borne in mind that this does not refer to the present hamlet and post-
office now called Big Spring, but literally to the spring itself, on section 32-47-5.

546

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

buried it. The Indians had scalped it and mutilated it with their
tomahawks, and it presented a sad spectacle. Daniel Dougherty was
a young, unmarried man, and one of the bravest and most venture¬
some spirits in the fort.

Rose says, in half a dozen places in his “ Pioneer Families,”
that both episodes, the killing of Dougherty and Groom and Stew¬
art’s adventure, happened March 7, 1815, the day Capt. Callaway
was killed, but Jacob Groom’s daughter, Mrs. Lurinda Snethen, in¬
forms the writer that she is positive, from repeated statements made
by her father and others, that Capt. Callaway was killed a year after
her father’s perilous experience. In this she is corroborated by her
husband, W. B. Snethen, who now lives at the Big Spring, and whose
remarkably accurate memory is well known.

capt. james Callaway’s ill-fated expedition against the Indians —

HIS UNTIMELY DEATH AND THE TERRIBLE FATE OF FIVE OF HIS MEN.

If Mr. Rose’s “ Pioneer Families ” had no other merit, the elaborate
account it gives of the tragic fate of Capt. James Callaway ought to
commend it to all who seek to be correctlv informed in regard to the
early history of Montgomery county. The writer has taken pains to
investigate the account, and takes pleasure in stating that in but a few
particulars has he ever heard or seeu it disputed. The account is
mainly derived, in great part literally extracted, from Mr. Rose’s nar¬
rative, in the “ Pioneer Families.”

The most serious calamity that befel the settlers during the Indian
War, was the defeat of Capt. James Callaway and a portion of his
company, and the death of their leader, at Loutre creek, near the line
of Montgomery and Callaway counties. Capt. Callaway was a son of
Flanders Callaway, and grandson of Daniel Boone, and being dis¬
tinguished for his intelligence, fortitude and courage, was elected to
the command of a company of rangers at the commencement of the
difficulties, and up to the time of his death was one of the most
efficient, active, and daring scouts that the country afforded.

Capt. Callaway occupied a prominent position in the affairs of the
country at that period, and many of his relatives are still living. We
have inserted a sketch of his life, public services, and death, in the St.,
Charles county division of this work [pp. 150-159] , where also an elab¬
orate account ot' his expedition against the Indians, his defeat, etc., is
given. Consequently it would be useless to repeat here what has of nec¬
essity been already inserted. Several months after his death and burial,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

547

his grave was walled in with rough stones and aflat slab was laid across
© ©

the head on which was engraved the following inscription : —

MCH 7 1815

The slab (or at least the inscription) was prepared by Tarleton
Gore, of St. Charles county, a cousin of Capt. Callaway. The inscrip¬
tion is plain at this day (for the writer has seen it), but time is oblit¬
erating it, and the lines are filling up. The grave is simply a pile of
loose stones. Callaway county has frequently talked of erecting a
monument over it. The county was named for the impetuous and

daring ranger.

DR. MAUGHS’ ACCOUNT.

The account given of the Callaway fight by Dr. M. M. Maughs, in
Wetmore' s Gazetteer , wherein it differs from Rose’s, is most probably
correct. Dr. Maughs wrote, in 1837, only 22 years after the affair,
and obtained his information from Maj. Van Bibber, who buried the
bodies of the slain men, and from Lewis Jones and others who were
personally acquainted with the circumstances. The doctor says that
Callaway and his men were out scouting when the Indians stole the
horses and “ accidentally fell upon their trail.” This seems more
probable than that they should have come all the way from Loutre
island and marched 30 miles over as rough and hilly country as there
is in Missouri, by “ 2 o’clock p. m.” The following is Dr. Maughs’
account : —

In the spring of 1815 the Sacs and Foxes stole horses in the neigh¬
borhood of Loutre island. Some 15 rangers, commanded by Capt.
James Callaway, being out on duty, accidentally fell upon their trail,
and followed it. They arrived at the encampment of the Indians, at
the head of Loutre creek. The horses were there, but the enemy
was out, probably on some other excursion. The rangers retook the
horses, and proceeded on towards the island without molestation, until
they arrived at the Prairie fork, at the crossing, about 100 yards from
its junction with main Loutre.

548

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The doctor makes no mention of the controversy between Riggs
and Callaway, and then proceeds to give a description of the ambush
and the fight different from that rendered by Rose. The manner of
Callaway’s death is especially given at variance from Rose’s details : —

Capt. Callaway, wishing to relieve some of the men that were
driving the horses, intimated his intention to his lieutenant, Jonathan
Riggs, and at the same time requested him to take command of the
company. The company then proceeded, and were crossing the creek,
Captain Callaway and the horses being some distance behind, when
the latter were fired on by a large body of Indians, estimated at from
80 to 100, who had lain in ambush and completely invested the pass¬
age, from a deep ravine (Harrison’s branch) to an adjacent steep hill.
Callaway, finding himself severely wounded, broke the line of the
Indians, in order to join his men, calling out to them to form upon
the opposite bank of the creek. His order was of no avail ; the sur¬
vivors sought security in flight, and Callaway, now endeavoring to make
his escape, proceeded with his horse to the main creek, which could at
that place only be crossed by swimming. There he was again inter¬
cepted by the enemy, and being mortally wounded, fell into the stream
and expired.

The writer hesitates to accept the statement that Callaway “ fell
into the stream,” as Dr. Maughs indicates he did, from the bank.
That he was shot while in the water is more probable. It is doubtful
if any one ever knew exactly the manner of his death. As to the men
killed Dr. Maughs says : —

The names of the others who fell in the skirmish are McDermot,
Hutchinson, McMullin and Gilmore. The latter was at first taken
prisoner, but eventually killed by the Indians. A part of the Calla¬
way rangers made good their retreat to island ; the remainder to
Woods’ fort.

Whether or not Dr. Maughs is correct as to the names of McDer¬
mot and Hutchinson, which Rose gives as McDermid and Hutchings,
can not be here stated ; but certainly Dr. Maughs is correct in his
statement that Gilmore was one of the men killed, although Rose does
not mention him in his account. He, however, states that he was one
of Callaway’s party ; but on page 183 of “ Pioneer Families,” in the
sketch of the Ramsey family, he says: “India Ramsey married
Thomas Gilmore, who was a ranger under Capt. Callaway, and was
present at his defeat;” while on page 335 (sketch of the Gilmore
family) he says: “Thomas Gilmore, of Kentucky, settled in St.
Charles county in 1808. He was a ranger in Capt. Callaway’s com-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

549

pany during the Indian war, and after its close settled at a noted place,
which has since been known as Gilmore’s Springs, in the western part
of St. Charles county. He married India Ramsey, and their children
were William, Thomas , * * * all of whom except Thomas, who

was killed at Callaway’s defeat, settled in Callaway county from 1826
to 1830.”

According to the last statement it would seem that both father and

O V

son were rangers, and the latter killed, but no attempt is here made
to straighten out the “ mixed up ” accounts.

Maughs makes no mention of the killing of Hiram Scott, although
Rose is certain of it, and it is probable that he was. This would make
six killed among the whites. Capt. James Callaway, Parker Hutch-
ings (or Hutchinson) Frank McDermid (or McDermot), James Mc-
Mullin (or McMillin), Thomas Gilmore and Hiram Scott.

Rose alleges that while it is not certainly known whether or not any
of the Indians were killed in the Callaway encounter, yet “ one of
their chiefs named Keokuk, a man of some distinction, was wounded
and died shortly after.” This could not have been the renowned Fox
chief so well known to the student of Western history, and yet the
suspicion is that an attempt is being made to claim that distinction
for a dead Indian who, Rose says, “was buried in the prairie, one
and one-half miles north-east of the present town of Wellsville. In
1826 his remains were taken up by Dr. Bryan and several other gen¬
tlemen, and upon his breast was found a large silver medal, contain¬
ing his name (?) his rank ( !), etc. He was evidently a giant in
stature, for the jaw bone, which, with several other bones of the body,
is still preserved by Mrs. Dr. Peery, of Montgomery county, will fit
over the face of the largest sized man.”

There is no other chief named Keokuk known in the annals of In¬
dian history than the famous orator chief of the Fox nation, who
became so renowned for his efforts to bring about peace in the Black
Hawk War of 1832. The name “ Keo-kuk ” signifies “watchful,”
and as Keokuk belonged to the Fox tribe of Indians he was often
called “The Watchful Fox.” His tribe was so closely allied with the
Sacs that the two are usually spoken of together — “The Sacs and
Foxes.” They lived, hunted intermarried, and went to war together ;
but in the Black Hawk War the Foxes, under Keokuk, were for
peace, while the Sacs, under Black Hawk, went on the war path.
Keokuk died on the reservation in Kansas, in about 1845, of bad
whisky. He was a short fat man, and not at all “a giant in stature.”

550

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

* ’

OTHER EVENTS OF THE WAR

Jacob Quick and Isaac Best both had forts on Best’s Bottom, above
Loutre island, during the war. Best had a horse-mill, and his fort
was a sort of block house. It is said that he had sixteen cur do^s
trained to give the alarm on the approach of the Indians. One day
while grinding at his mill, Best’s canine sentinels sounded an alarm,
attracting his attention, when he and a friend and assistant, named
Callahan, sallied forth. A shot from the Indians wounded Callahan,
when the two men retreated to the block house. Although Mr. Best
made o’ood use of his rifle, the Indians secured the horses and retired
to the bluff. Best and Callahan abandoned the mill, took to the Mis¬
souri, embarked in a canoe, and paddled down the river to Fort Clem-
son, where they remained until the war was over.

On the 20th of May following Callaway’s defeat occurred the
murder by the Indians of the wife and three children of Robert Ram¬
sey, two miles north-west of Marthasville, which is fully noted else¬
where. A few days later these Indians and some others who had
re-enforced them had a series of skirmishes with the Lincoln county
rangers, under Capts. Craig and Musick. At this time occurred the
“ sink hole fight,” in which the noted Sac warrior, Black Hawk,
commanded the Indians.

CHAPTER III.

FROM THE CLOSE OF THE INDIAN WARS TO 1820.

CLOSE OF THE WAR.

Two clays after Capt. Callaway was killed, or March 9, 1815, a
treaty was concluded with the Indians, by which the territory within
the following limits was resigned to the whites: “Beginning at
the mouth of the Kaw [Kansas] river, thence running north 140
miles, thence east to the waters of the Au-ha-ha [Salt River], which
empties into the Mississippi, thence to a point opposite the mouth of
the Gasconade, thence up the Missouri river, with. its meanders, to the
place of beginning.” But some of the Indians cared nothing for —
or let us hope they had heard nothing of — the treaty, and it was
more than two months after it had been ratified and proclaimed when
the Ramsey family were killed, and the murders took place in Lin¬
coln county.

Gradually, however, they left the country, but returned occasionally
in small bodies, generally as hunting parties, committing no depreda¬
tions other than a few petty thefts. A large body of Sacs came in

a few vears after the war, and wintered on Loutre, two miles above
«/

Van Bibber’s Lick, and near Robert Graham’s. They were quite
peaceable, but nevertheless the settlers did not leave many articles
lying about loose.

SOME SETTLERS BEFORE 1820.

Settlers came in rather numerously for a time after the war. Ben¬
jamin Gammon, who had lived in the county since 1812, but who had
been “ forted up ” during the troubles, came back to his farm in the
southern part of the county in 1816. Of Mr. Gammon it is related
that he built a hand-mill on his farm, which was the first in that
part of the country, and it supplied his own family and his neighbors
with meal for some time. The meal for his own familv was generally

30 * (551)

552

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ground just before it was required for use, and he allowed two ears
of corn for each individual. The grinding was done by the children,
and it was said that Mr. Gammon “ broke all his children at the
mill.”

In the fall of 1815 Maj. Isaac Van Bibber went up to Loutre Lick
and put in order the Massey improvement. Robert Graham followed
him in 1816, and settled a mile above. Francis Whitesides came to
the neighborhood of the Lick in 1818. Ambrose Bush settled on
Dry fork in 1818. Presley Anderson, Jr., located near Brush creek,
in 1817 ; he came to Warren county, in 1815, from Illinois, and oc¬
cupied Robert Ramsey’s house, near Marthasville, soon after Ram¬
sey’s wife and children had been murdered by the Indians. The
blood of the victims was still on the floor of the house when the
Anderson family moved to it, and Mrs. Anderson scrubbed it up before
the furniture was put in.

William Brown settled on Clear creek, near its mouth, in 1819.
He built his house under a high bluff that ran parallel with the creek,
and cut his fire wood on the top of this bluff, and rolled it down to
the door of his house. When the wood gave out he moved his cabin to
another place, and when it gave out there he moved it again, pre¬
ferring to move his house rather than haul his wood.

George Bast settled in Montgomery county, in 1819, and Larkin G.
Jones came the same year. Hon. Isaac Clark, of Kentucky, came
also in 1819, bringing with him, it is claimed, the first set of chinaware
ever brought to the county.

William Hall came from East Tennessee, and settled on Dry fork
in 1817. His daughter, Dorcas, married Mark Cole, the first hatter
in the county, and he also came in 1817, and located here. He made
“ Boss ” Logan’s famous hat, which was worn for twenty years. It
was composed of 20 ounces of muskrat fur, mixed with 13 ounces of
raocoon fur, and held an even half-bushel. The crown was 18 inches
high, and the brim six inches wide. Nancy Hall, another daughter
of Wm. Hall, married John R. Crawford, who built his cabin in Mont¬
gomery county in 1818. Among others who were present and
assisted him to raise the cabin, were Daniel Boone and his sons Nathan
and Jesse. Lewis Jones killed the game and cooked the dinner, and
found a bee tree not far distant, from which they obtained fresh honey
for their dinner. Crawford was noted for his ability to tell humor¬
ous yarns, and entertain a crowd.

James Beatty came in 1818, and located two miles north-west of
Loutre Lick. Daniel M. Boone came in 1819 to section 28-48-6, a

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

553

mile or more north-west of LoutreLick. Drury and Henry Clanton,
of Tennessee, settled on Pinch branch, five miles south of Danville, in
1818.

Benj. Ellis settled on South Bear creek in 1815; he was a wheel¬
wright and achairmaker, and also had a good hand mill. James Ellis
settled on Bear creek, in 1819. Richard Fitzhugh came from Ten¬
nessee, in 1818, and settled south of Danville, on the east side of
Loutre ; he and his son, Hopkins, were noted whip-sawyers, and when
Danville was building, in 1834-35, they furnished a great deal of lum¬
ber for the citizens. Mr. Fitzhugh once had several of his ribs broken,
and it is said that afterwards he subsisted almost entirely on mush and
milk.

Joseph Gray came from Kentucky in 1818 and settled on Brush
creek, where he died in 1830. Peter Hunter came to the county
with his family and two sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth, in 1819.
Joseph Howard came in 1818. Thomas Hickerson moved to the
county in 1818, and settled on the west bank of Loutre, near Loutre
Lick; soon after he married Susan Van Bibber, a daughter of Maj.
Isaac Van Bibber. Wm. R. Jones, a Methodist preacher, came into
the Loutre Lick settlement in 1819, a single man, but the same year
married Mary Whitesides.

David Knox came to the county in 1818 ; Nicholas H. Stephenson
came the same year. Alexander Logan settled on South Bear creek,
on the line between Warren and Montgomery, in 1818. John Mar¬
row located in the southern part of the county as early as 1816.

Reuben P. Pew removed with his family to the eastern or north¬
eastern part of the county in 1819. He built the first horse-mill in
the northern part of the county, and made good flour. His boys
peddled this flour on horse back, frequently going thirty miles from
home ; the uniform price was one cent per pound in cash, or two cents
in “ trade.”

Enoch Spry, married Mary A. Logan, the only sister of the Logan
brothers, and settled in the southern part of the county in 1817.
Soon after steamboats began to navigate the Missouri river. Mr.
Spry, happening to be in the vicinity of the river one day, heard a
boat blow its whistle, at which he became very much frightened, and
ran home. He told his neighbors that a panther had caught a man
down on the river, and he never heard any one halloo like he did.
His story created so much excitement that a company was organized
and went in pursuit of the “ panther,” which, of course, they could
not find*

554

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

LEWIS JONES

Among the others settlers in the southern part of the county, prior
to 1820, was Lewis Jones, who first came to Missouri in 1802 ; he
married Susannah Hays, the grand-daughter of Daniel Boone. Lewis
Jones, was a famous character among the old pioneers. When Lewis
and Clark passed up the river, on their famous expedition, in 1804,
they came upon Lewis Jones and John Davis, who were engaged
in sawing lumber with a whip-saw. The officers tried to induce
Jones and Davis to accompany them, but they refused because they
could not go as independent scouts, without being subject to the com¬
mands of any one, and resumed their sawing.

Jones came to Missouri from Kanawha county, Va., and John Davis
came at the same time from Keutucky. Both were spies or scouts in
the War of 1812, against the Indians in Missouri and Illinois. They
were intimate friends and had many a hunting adventure together.
Jones made several trips to the Rocky Mountains as a guide for fur
traders and trappers.

In about 1809, Jones and Davis went on a hunting expedition up
into the Platte river country and were captured by the Indians, who
stripped them of their clothing, gave them an old musket with six
loads of ammunition and started them back home, which they reached,
after numerous incidents worthy of interest, in ten days.

When game became scarce, and hunting was no longer a paying
occupation, Jones studied surveying under Prospect K. Robbins, and
became one of the most efficient and correct surveyors in North Mis¬
souri. If any of the land owners had a dispute about a line, Jones
would be sent for to decide the matter, and wherever he said the line
ought to go, there it went, because they all knew he understood his
business and would not make a false or incorrect survey. Lewis
Jones was a great reader, and possesssed a wonderful memory. He
was a close student of the Bible, but an avowed infidel and reviled
and ridiculed many of the statements and teachings of that Holy vol¬
ume. He died as he lived, a disbeliever.

EARLY ARISTOCRATS.

The Talbot family were down on the Island and other families of
similar influence and social position were their neighbors.

There were aristocrats in those days, as there are now. Slave¬
owners and men who owned plenty of horses and land were the
nabobs of the land. While no men possessed extravagant fortunes

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 555

or vast estates, the majority of the first settlers of this county
'were as well off* as many of our citizens of medium fortunes are to¬
day. Indeed, many of the people in various parts of the county live
to-day in as comfortless and as poorly furnished cabins, eat as coarse
and as scanty food, go as poorly clad, have as little money, and are
as poorly informed and as unintelligent as the poorest and lowest
among the pioneers of seventy years ago.

QUASHQUAMA .

The Americans had one good friend among the Sac Indians. This
was the old chief, Quashquama. He opposed the War of 1812 against
the Missouri settlers, and took no part in it. He was much grieved
because his nation had yielded to the persuasions of the British emis¬
saries and joined England in the war against the United States. The
British long tried to induce him to raise the tomahawk against the
Americans, but he always refused. In 1810 he started for Washing¬
ton City to see the President, but was stopped at St. Louis by Gov.
Wm. Clark. While at St. Louis on this occasion Quashquama deliv¬
ered the following speech, which was reduced to writing and forwarded
to President Madison : —

My father, I left my home to see my great father [the President],
but, as I can not proceed to see him, I give you my hand, as to him¬
self. * * * i haye been advised several times to raise the toma¬

hawk. Since the last war [the Revolution] we have looked upon the
Americans as friends, and shall hold you fast by the hand. The
Great Spirit has not put us on earth to war with the whites. We have
never struck a white man. If we go to war, it is with red flesh.
Other nations have sent belts among us and urged us to go to war ;
they say if we do not, that in less than eight years the Americans will
drive us off our lands. * * * We have not listened to them ; our

rivers, our country, have alwa}7s been, and still are, open to our
friends, the Americans.

Quashquama was well known to the first settlers of Montgomery
county. He often passed through the settlements in the lower part
of the county, and was on one or two occasions at the Loutre Lick.
After the Black Hawk War, in 1832, the Sac Indians — or a great
portion of them — were removed to Kansas. The warriors were
marched across the country, while the squaws and old men, under
Quashquama, were sent down the Mississippi and up the Missouri in
boats and canoes. Passing up the Missouri the Indiaus stopped at
Loutre island, and Quashquama embraced the opportunity to call on

556

HISTORY" OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

some old acquaintances and make some new ones. He came into the
house of the widow Patton, and spent some time. He was dressed
in citizen’s clothes, of which fact he seemed quite proud. He was
well received by the people.

Several years afterward an old Indian paddled down the Mis¬
souri in a canoe and landed at Loutre island. He was alone and
seemed weary, broken and dejected. Wandering quietly about he
occasionally seemed attracted by some location or object on which he
would gaze for some moments in reflection. On the site of old Fort
Clemson, he said to a citizen : “ Here was a fort one time.” At last
he walked into Patton’s house, and seating himself at the fire, said:
“You don’t know me. I am Quashquama. I want to cook my din¬
ner.” Being offered a dinner with the family, he respectfully refused,
and said, “I will cook my own.” Then he drew from his hunting
shirt a duck’s egg, which he roasted in the ashes of the fire and ate.

His short and simple repast ended, the old chieftain returned to his
canoe, and, as he pushed it from shore, he waved his hand and said
“ good-by.” Then he passed away down the river, and that was the
last ever seen of Quashquama by our people.

FIRST STEAMBOATS UP THE MISSOURI.

A few of the old settlers are now living in the county who remem¬
ber when the first steamboats passed up the Missouri. The steamer
Independence, Capt. John Nelson, from Louisville, Ky., was the pio¬
neer steamboat in the navigation of the Missouri, and the first to
enter the stream. Col. Elias Rector, Stephen Rector and others, of
St. Louis, chartered her to go up the Missouri as high as the town of
Old Chariton (now extinct), which stood near the mouth of the Char¬
iton river, two miles above Glasgow. The boat left St. Louis, May
15, 1819, and arrived at Old Franklin, Howard county, May 28, occa¬
sioning the wildest excitement and the greatest joy among the
people.1

The Independence landed at old Fort Clemson, on Loutre island,
and Mr. Robt. H. Patton states to the writer that all the islanders,
except some who were afraid of* her, flocked to the bank to see the
new and great wonder. She put off some freight — 10 barrels of
whisky (?), for a trader named Mills, who lived out in the Camp
Branch country, and had a post not far from where Warrenton
now is.

1 Switzler.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

557

In 1818 the United States government projected the celebrated
Yellowstone expedition, to ascertain whether or not the Missouri river
was navigable for steamboats, and to establish a line of forts from its
mouth to the Yellowstone. The expedition was under command of
Col. Henry Atkinson. It arrived at Pittsburg in the spring of 1819,
and here Col. S. H. Long, of the topographical engineers, had con¬
structed a small steamer called the Western Engineer, to be used by
him and his corps in pioneering the expedition up the Missouri. -

June 21, 1819, the fleet of steamboats, the Expedition, Capt. Craig ;
Thomas Jefferson, Capt. Orfort; P. M. Johnson, Capt. Colfax, and
the Western Engineer, Lieut. Swift, and nine keel-boats provided
with wheels and masts, left St. Louis for the Yellowstone. The boats
entered the mouth of the Missouri with flags flying, bands of music
playing, bugles blowing and the crews cheering. An accident to the
machinery of the Jefferson prevented her from being the first to enter
the river, as had been intended, and the post of honor was given to
the Expedition. She landed at Fort Bellefontaine, four miles from
the mouth of the river, and the next morning the Western Engineer
took the lead, and was far in the advance when the fleet passed
Loutre island.

The Western Engineer was a singularlv constructed vessel. It had
no cabin and but one chimney. From its prow projected the iron
image of a huge serpent, painted black, with mouth agape and colored
a livid red, and tongue like a glowing coal. The steam exhausted
from the mouth of this serpent with a noise, the combination of a
puff, a hiss, and a snort, and all the Indians — and many of the
whites — were terror-stricken at the appearance of the seeming mon¬
ster. It is related that a band of Indians followed along the river,
side by side with the boat, for nearly a whole day, expecting every
moment that its strength would give out, “as it panted so,” and then
they would capture it ! They imagined that the boat and its crew
were borne on the back of the serpent.

ORGANIZATION.

The Territorial Legislature of Missouri commenced a session at St.
Louis in December, 1818. During this session the counties of Jeffer¬
son, Franklin, Wayne, Lincoln, Madison, Pike, Pulaski, Cooper and
Montgomery were organized.1 This county was organized December

1 Also three counties in the southern part of Arkansas, then attached to Missouri
Territory.

558

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

14, 1818. It was formed from St. Charles and included not only the
present territory of the county, but that now included in Warren and
a portion of Audrain and Callaway as well.

The county was named for Gen. Richard Montgomery, who fell at
Quebec during the Revolution — or, as Rose says, for Montgomery
county, Kv., from whence many of the settlers had come. At
the time of its organization the county had a population of about
1,000.

The first election in the county after its organization was held at
Big Spring, at the house of Jacob Groom. There was but one voting
place in this part of the county, and the polls were kept open for
three days to allow the voters from the back settlements a chance to
come in and vote. The voting place in the eastern part of the county
was at Marthasville.

Prior to its organization the territory of Montgomery county be¬
longed to St. Charles.

The county seat was located at a new town called Pinckney, but the
first courts (county and circuit) were held in a log cabin, three miles
east of Pinckney, in the door yard of Benjamin Sharp, the first clerk
of these courts.

PINCKNEY.

As has been repeatedly published in previous historical sketches,
the seat of justice of Montgomery county was first located at
Pinckney,1 on the Missouri river, and within the present limits of
Warren county. This town was named for Miss Attossa Pinckney
Sharp, daughter of Maj. Benj. Sharp, the first clerk of the county
and circuit courts of Montgomery county. It was once a flourish¬
ing place, but the removal of the county seat to Lewiston proved its
dentil blow, and the town disappeared many years ago. The spot
where it originally stood has fallen into the river, and a post-office in
the vicinity, with perhaps one store, are the only reminders of its
existence.

The land upon which the town was built was originally granted
to Mr. John Meek, by the Spanish government, but he failed to com¬
ply with the terms, and it reverted to the United States government
upon its purchase of the territory. It was sold at land sales in 1818,
and bought by Mr. Alexander McKinney, who sold 50 acres of the
tract to the county commissioners, for the use of the county, for

1 The orthography of the word is as Miss Sharp’s name was spelled. Beck and
some other early writers spell it without a c, thus: Pinkney.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

559

which he received $500. The commissioners were David Bryan, An¬
drew Fourt and Moses Summers.

The first public building erected in the place was the jail, which
was built in 1820, at a cost of $2,500. During the summer of the
same year, Nathaniel Hart and George Edmondson built a frame
house there, which was the first frame house erected in Montgomery
county. It was 25x30 feet in size, and was rented to the county for
a court-house, at $100 a year. The rent was paid with county scrip
worth 25c to the $1. The same summer Frederick Griswold built
a log house, and opened the first store in Pinckney. The next
house erected in the place was a mill, partly built by Hugh McDer-
mid, who sold it to two Germans named Lineweaver and Duvil, who
completed it.

“ Beck’s Gazetteer of Missouri,” published in 1823, gives the fol¬
lowing description of Pinckney in 1822, on page 309 : —

Pinckney, a post town, and the seat of justice of Montgomery
county, on the north bank of the Missouri, about two and a half miles
above where the line dividing ranges 2 and 3, west of the fifth princi¬
pal meridian, strikes said river. The site is low, and in some seasons
of the year it is difficult to reach it, on account of the number of
sloughs and ponds by which it is surrounded. It contains eight or
nine houses and cabins. The county seat will probably be removed to
a more central and eligible situation. This town is in latitude 38°,
35' north ; eight miles above Newport, and about 55 miles south-west
of St. Charles. It is surrounded by a fertile district of country, wa¬
tered by Lost and Charrette creeks.

FIRST COUNTY OFFICIALS, ETC.

The first judges of the county court were Isaac Clark, Moses Sum¬
mers and John Wyatt. At the first meeting of the court Mr. Clark
resigned, and Maj. Benjamin Sharp was appointed to fill the vacancy.
He also resigned soon afterward and Hugh McDermid was appointed
in his place, after which there was no other change in the court until
the removal of the county seat to Lewiston. Previous to his appoint¬
ment as judge of the county court, McDermid was a member of the
Territorial Legislature, and when the line was established between
Montgomery and St. Charles counties he acted as one of the commis¬
sioners for the former county.

Irvine S. Pitman was the first sheriff of Montgomery county. John
C. Long was appointed first county and circuit clerk, by Gov. McNair,
after the admission of the Territory into the Union, but he sold the
offices to Jacob L. Sharp before assuming his duties ; so that Mr.

560

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Sharp became the first incumbent of those two offices under the State
government, which he held by election for many years afterward.
Robert W. Wells was the first prosecuting attorney, and Alexander
McKinney was the first county surveyor.

Andrew Fourt built the first hotel in Pinckney, and on court days he
generally had a lively time. Men would come to town and get drunk,
and then quarrel and fight in and around the hotel, which they re¬
garded as a public place, where they could do as they pleased.

The first criminal case tried in Pinckney was against a man named
Jim Goen, who had stolen a pair of shoes. He was sentenced by the
court to receive 29 lashes at the whipping post, which, at that time,
was a familiar instrument of justice, as there was one at every court¬
house in the State. As soon as the sentence was pronounced, the
prisoner started to run, and the sheriff (Mr. Irvine Pitman) gave chase.
It was a pretty close race until they came to a fence, which Goen
attempted to jump, but failed and fell. Pitman secured him, took him
back to the whipping post, and inflicted the punishment, which was
the first and last sentence of the kind ever executed at Pinckney.

THE WEATHER IN EARLY TIMES.

As to the temperature during the winters of early days, there are
fortunately records in existence which give it to us exactly, so that
we can know what our pioneer settlers had to encounter in the way of
cold weather. The winters were about the same as those at present.

Maj. Stoddard, in his sketch of Louisiana, observes: “For three
successive winters, commencing in 1802, the Mississippi at St. Louis
was passable on the ice before the 20th of December each year, and it
was clear of all obstruction, with one excption, by the last of Febru¬
ary. In January, 1805, the ice in that river rather exceeded 22 inches
in thickness. There is seldom more than six inches of snow on the
ground at the same time, but the severity of the weather at St. Louis
is generally about the same as in the back part of the State of New
Jersey. The mercury frequently falls below 0, and the cold keeps it
depressed as low as 10 or 15 degrees for several weeks each winter.”

In January, 1811, after several weeks of delightful weather, when
the warmth was even disagreeable, the thermometer standing at 78
degrees, a change took place, and so sudden, that in four days it fell
to 10 degrees below 0. This winter was also remarkable for a circum-
stance which the oldest inhabitant does not recollect to have ever wit¬
nessed ; the Mississippi closed over twice, whereas it most usually re¬
mains open during the winter. We have no particular account of the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

561

winters between this time and 1817, but if we may credit the assertions
of the old inhabitants, they were generally temperate.

The mean temperature of January, 1817, was 26°, about equal to
that of the same month in New York. The winter of 1818-19 was
very mild and exhibited a singular contrast with the two or three pre¬
ceding. The mean temperature of January was nearly 39°, the weather
continued mild during the month of February, and the thermometer
on some days rose to 72°. At St. Louis, the Mississippi remained
open during the whole season. During the winter of 1819-20, the
Mississippi closed about the 20th of December and remained in this
situation until the 10th of February. The mean temperature of Jan¬
uary was 27°, varying but little from that of the same month of 1817.
On two occasions the mercury fell to six degrees below 0. From 10
to 12 inches of snow fell during the month, and continued on the
ground for three or four weeks. The winter of 1820-21 differed but
little from the last. The Mississippi continued closed for six or seven
weeks, and the earth was covered, during the months of December and
January, with from six to 12 inches of snow.

The winter of 1821-22 was less severe than the two former. About
the 1st of December the cold weather commenced. On the 22d, the
Mississippi closed opposite St. Louis, and during the remainder of the
month, the weather was clear and pleasant, and the thermometer fre¬
quently rose to 60°. On the 4th of January, the mercury fell to 4°
below 0 ; but after this the weather again became mild and continued
so during the month. On the 22d the Mississippi opened, having been
closed since the 22d of December. The depth of the snow this winter
never exceeded six inches.

CHAPTER IV.

INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

PIONEERS AND PIONEER LIFE.

It is customary to indulge in a great deal of gush and extravagant
adulation in speaking of the first settlers of a country. Their virtues
are extolled immoderately, their weaknesses — it is never admitted
that they had any vices — are seldom ever hinted at. The true-hearted
pioneers of Montgomery county would not wish to be written of other
than fairly. Our first settlers were mere men and women, with all of
the virtues and graces, and all of the vices and frailties of that number
of people taken at random from rural communities. They were neither
any worse or any better than their descendants.

The pioneers were hospitable and generous as a rule ; so are their
posterities and successors. There was the doing of good works, the
rendering of generous deeds, and there was cheating also in early days.
There was industry and there was laziness ; there were thrift and penury,
misery and happiness, good men and bad men, and after all, in very
many respects, Montgomery county people in 1820 were about like
Montgomery county people in 1880.

The life of the early settlers of this county was that of the pioneers
of the West generally, which has been written of and described so
frequently that it need not be detailed here. The people, while they
dwelt in log cabins and were plainly appareled and fed on humble fare,
lived comfortably, happily and well. It can not well be said that they
suffered hardships, since the deprivation of certain modern luxuries
and conveniences was well sustained by ample substitutes.

There was a scarcity of purple and fine liuen, but there was an
abundance of comfortable and durable linsey and jeans and homespun
cotton, much better suited to the rough and tumble life. Fine clothes
and gay raiment would have been as much out of place in the primitive
(562) 18

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

563

log cabins and among the clearings of early days as would ’coonskin
caps and buckskin breeches in the parlors and drawing-rooms of the
handsome residences that stand upon the well improved lands of the
county to-day. In that day, as now, people dressed and lived accord¬
ing to their circumstances.

In their somewhat isolated positions the settlers were dependent
upon one another for many things. Men were willing to help a neigh¬
bor because they felt that they might at some time need help themselves.
A new settler was always gladly received. He first selected his claim,
cut his house logs and hauled them to the spot he had chosen for his
home, and then announced his “ raising.” It did not take long to put
up the cabin, as the neighbors came from far and near, and whoever
refused to attend a raising that could do so and had heard of it was
guilty of a serious offense.

The first farms were opened up in the timber. The timber was all
cut down. That which would make rails or fencing was so utilized.
The rest was piled and rolled together and burned. The stumps of
the saplings were grubbed up, and then the land was plowed. The
plow used was a very simple affair, with sometimes an iron point and
sometimes without, and always a wooden mold-board. It is said that
some farmers used a plow made from the fork of a tree. The soil in
the bottoms was like an ash heap for mellowness, and almost anything
in the shape of a plow would serve to fit it for the reception of the
seed corn. There was, of course, the usual difficulty in plowing
regarding the stumps, and as the most of the pioneers were not pro¬
fane men, their sufferings at times were intense !

It is true, however, that in early days the prairies of Missouri were
deemed undesirable for homes and farms for many reasons. Mr.
Lewis C. Beck, a master of arts and an accomplished scientist, in his
Gazetteer of Missouri (1823), writing of the country in this quarter,
has this to say (p. 244 ) of the prairies: —

The prairies, although generally fertile, are so very extensive that
they must, for a great length of time, and perhaps forever, remain
wild and uncultivated ; yet such is the enterprise of the American
citizens — such the emigration to the West, that it almost amounts to
presumption to hazard an opinion on the subject. Perhaps before
the expiration of ten years, instead of being bleak and desolate, they
may have been converted into immense grazing fields, covered with
herds of cattle. It is not possible, however, that the interior of these
prairies can be inhabited; for, setting aside the difficulty of obtaining
timber, it is on other accounts unpleasant and uncomfortable. In
winter the northern and western blasts are excessively cold, and the

564

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

snow is drifted like hills and mountains, so as to render it impossible
to cross from one side of a prairie to the other. In summer, on the
contrary, the sun acting upon such an extensive surface, and the
southerly winds which uniformly prevail during this season, produce
a degree of heat almost insupportable.

It should not, by any means, be understood that these objections
apply to all the prairies. The smaller ones are not subject to these
inconveniences ; on the contrary, they are by far the most desirable
and pleasant situations for settlement. They are of this description
in the county of which we are treating ; surrounded by forests, and
containing here and there groves of the finest timber, watered by
beautiful running streams, presenting an elevated, rolling or undu¬
lating surface, and a soil rarely equaled in fertility.

In the early history of the settlements mechanical conveniences
were few and of an inferior character. Few of the settlers had been
regularly trained to the use of tools, and, in consequence, every man
became his own mechanic. Vessels and articles required for house--
hold use were hewn out of blocks and logs of wood. Although these
articles presented a rough and uncouth appearance, they answered
every purpose, and the families were as happy in their use as are the
most favored people of later generations with the multiplied devices
of modern invention. The great disadvantage the pioneers labored
under was the ne'bd of mills. Grain was at first reduced to flour and
meal by means of a mortar. The grain was put in and pounded for
hours with a pestle, and when sufficiently beaten the finer particles
were separated from the coarser by a common sieve, the finer being
used for making bread and the coarser for hominy. This process
became slow and wearisome, and other methods were introduced.

A kind of hand-mill rapidly supplanted the old mortar. It was
constructed by putting the flat sides of two large stones together, the
upper one well balanced on a pivot. A hole was made in the top of
the upper stone, into which was forced a round pin, used as a handle,
to put the mill in motion by one hand, while the other hand was used
to feed it. Simple as were mills of this kind, they were, however,
very scarce at first and were used only by a few. The majority clung
to the old mortar and pestle, the noise of which could sometimes be
heard long after the usual hour of retiring, busy in the preparation of
the meal and hominy for the morning’s breakfast. The constant em¬
ployment of about one member of each family was required to keep
the family provided with bread.

St. Charles and St. Louis were the principal trading points at first,
and indeed many went to St. Louis to mill. Pretty soon, however,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

565

horse mills were put up in various settlements, and these proved great
conveniences. Patton’s horse mill, on Loutre island, at Ft. Clemson,
was built in 1814. Reuben C. Pew’s horse mill was the first in the
northern part of the county ; Dryden’s, east of Danville, was the
first in that portion of the county. Capt. John Baker’s water mill,
built in 1820, on Loutre, at the mouth of Dry fork, was the first of
the kind in the county.

GAME AND WILD ANIMALS.

As has been already stated, upon the first occupation of the country
the woods were full of game of all sorts. Though there were no buf¬
faloes here, their bones were to be found on the prairies in great
abundance, showing that they had not long left the country. Their
“ wallows ” and trails were also to be seen. Indeed there is a tradi¬
tion that in about 1812 a stray buffalo or two were seen in the western
part of the county, returning from the Loutre Lick, as was supposed.

There were plenty of elk on the prairies up to 1830. The settlers
would mount their horses when they wanted some rare sport, and
chase the elk into the timber and brush through which the males could
not pass on account of their long horns and became easy victims.
Up about where Wellsville now is was a favorite feeding ground for .
the elks, and the hunters often chased them into the Whetstone hills
and killed them.

Bears were numerous on Loutre and in the other timbered portions
of the county. They were black bears, and the finest of their species.
Some of them that were killed in this county weighed 500 pounds.
The Skinners, Ben Ellis, and other bear hunters often killed them
when the carcasses dressed weighed 400 pounds.

Rose says that Bear creek, in this county was named by old Daniel
Boone, because he found a great many bears in that locality. North
Bear creek was named by Presley Anderson, who settled in Mont¬
gomery county in 1817. The name originated in an adventure which
he had with some bears, one day, while hunting on that stream and
which nearly cost him his life. While stalking through the woods
looking for game, he saw two cub bears run up a tree, a short distance
from him, and desiring to capture them alive, he set his gun down
and climbed after them. Pretty soon he heard a fearful snorting and
tearing of the brush under him, and looking down he saw the old
mother bear just beginning to climb the tree after him, with her bris¬
tles on end and her white teeth glistening between her extended jaws.
He had only one way to escape, and that was to play the squirrel and

566

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

jump to another tree. It was a desperate chance, but he made an
immense spring and safely landed among the branches of a neighbor¬
ing tree. Then hastily sliding to the ground, he secured his gun, and
killed all the bears. This incident led him to name the adjacent
stream Bear creek, but as main Bear creek had already been named,
he designated the former as North Bear creek, by which name it has
been known ever since.

The bears occasionally killed a stray hog, but were usually not of
much damage to the settlers. They furnished many a family with
“ bacon,” instead of robbing them of it. “ Bear bacon,” as the cured
bears’ meat was called, an article to be found in every hunter’s
larder, was an article not to be despised, either. Near Graham’s salt¬
peter cave was a great resort for bears.

Many an interesting adventure of the early settlers of Montgomery
county with bears must be omitted from this volume for want of
room.

The fierce panther made its home here. Many an early settler, as
he sat by his fireside, felt his blood chill as the piercing scream of a
prowling panther was borne to his lonely cabin on the night wind.
They were frequently encountered, and many of them killed by the
pioneer hunters. Wild cats or catamounts were quite numerous.

On one occasion, about 1820, Robert Graham, of near Loutre Lick,

sent his black man, “Bill,” one night with a letter tfo Maj. James

Beatty, who lived two miles north-west. The way led up the Loutre

bottom, and “Bill” rode on horseback, taking some hounds with

him. Near the mouth of Davis’ branch a huge panther sprang out of

a leaning sycamore tree (still standing — the writer has seen it) upon

the dogs. Poor “ Bill ” turned about and scampered for home as fast

as the horse could carry him, the worst scared darkey in the county !

The panther “ cleaned out” the dogs in short order. One of them,

called “ Blue Music,” came home badly torn and mangled from the

encounter and died next day.

As to wolves, the country was infested with them. There seem to
have been three varieties, the large black, the gray and the coyote or
prairie wolf. The first two varieties made many a foray on the set¬
tlers’ flocks and herds, and sometimes it was a difficult matter to raise
sheep and pigs on account of the depredations of these marauders.
The sheep had to be penned every night and the hogs carefully looked
after. Isaac Clark in the south part of the county, poisoned dozens
of wolves with nux vomica , or “ dog buttons.”

“Dr.” Robert Graham was fond of hunting, and devoted much of
his time to that occupation. A large wolf once was caught in one of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

567

his steel traps, broke the chain, and dragged the trap away with him.
The Doctor, Joseph Scholl, and Maj. Van Bibber tracked the wolf and
came upon it where it had gone into Smith’s branch, north of Dan¬
ville, and Was struggling with the dogs in the water. Graham waded
into the creek for the purpose of killing the wolf with his knife, when
it caught one of his hands and bit it nearly off; but he succeeded in
killing it by literally holding it under water till it drowned. On
another occasion the Doctor and a party of hunters ran a large bear
into his cave, and tried to smoke him out, but could not succeed, and
finally shot him. After the bear was dead the Doctor was the only
one of the party who had nerve enough to crawl into the cave and
drag the carcass out. Wolves were plentiful then, and one day while
out hunting he killed thirteen.

Deer were very plentiful. They could be found on every section.
A settler could kill a deer almost anywhere and almost any time —
before breakfast, if he wanted to — and the juicy venison steaks of
the old time were long remembered. Wild turkeys, squirrels and
other edible game were so numerous and so easily obtained as scarcely
to be worthy of consideration.

Numerous hunting stories, narratives of adventures with wild beasts
of the forests, and exploits in the chase might here be printed if there
was room, and if they were deemed of sufficient historic interest and
importance. These tales are best when told in the graphic style of
the old hunters themselves, by a winter’s fire, or under favorable cir¬
cumstances of some other character. They somehow lose much of
their interest when given in print, unless they are colored and exag¬
gerated.

Fish stories, too, might be given, for fishermen were numerous and
the smaller streams were crowded with crappie and bass and other
fine fish, while the great Missouri contained enormous catfish, and the
bottom ponds and sloughs were full of buffalo, “bull heads,” pike
and other varieties.

Up to 1825 not much farming had been done in the county, and
indeed not a great deal attempted. Every settler had his “truck
patch,” wherein grew potatoes, a little corn, a few vegetables, etc. ;
and he had also a corn-field corresponding in extent to the length of
time he had been in the county, his means or his desires.

Corn was the principal crop, and if enough of this was raised to
supply the family with pone, Johnny cake and honey, the settler was
satisfied. There was no wheat raised of any consequence.

Cotton was raised quite successfully, although not extensively, in

568

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the first years of the settlement of the county. As the county grew
older more of it was planted. The cotton was all hand-ginned at first,
and its conversion from raw material into fabrics was slow and tedious.
Rose says that Francis Whiteside, who came in 1818, was the first to
raise cotton successfully, but cotton was among the first crops raised
on Loutre island. Robert Graham had a cotton field in 1818, a little
north of his house, above Loutre Lick, and immediately in front of
the cave, described elsewhere. The site of this field is now covered
with timber, some of the trees being large enough for saw-logs.
Nearly every settler had a cotton patch. Oily Williams built the first
cotton gin, east of Danville, on the Boone’s Lick road, in 1822.

Flax was among the first crops raised. The seed was rarely sold,
and the crop was cultivated for the bark, of which linen and linsey
were made. Nearly every family had a flax patch and a flock of
sheep — the dependence for clothing supplies. To be a good flax-
breaker was at one time considered a great accomplishment among the
men, and the woman who was a good flax or wool spinner and weaver
was the envy of many of her sisters.

The first settlers down on the Missouri bottoms used a great deal
of “nettle linen.” The bottoms were covered in many places with
wild nettles, which, when treated like flax, yielded a tough, smooth
fiber, that made a fair article of yarn, and when mixed with cotton or
wool, a good article of cloth.

The dress of the pioneers comported well with their style of living.
The male portion wore a hunting shirt of some sort of cloth or buck¬
skin, a pair of buckskin or jeans pantaloons, a coarse wool hat or a
’coonskin cap, and a pair of home-made shoes of home-tanned leather.
When the women could procure enough calico to make for themselves
caps for their heads they were happy, and the woman who could wear
a dress made entirely of store goods was the envy of dozens of the less
favored of her sex.

Old pioneers say that buckskin makes a very fair article of panta¬
loons, but when it is wet it shrinks or contracts. Quite often a
pioneer came home after wading through streams and wet grass with
the bottoms of his pantaloons nearly up to his knees.

The early settlers of this county raised almost everything they ate
except meat, and manufactured nearly everything they wore. Their
smoke-houses were always well supplied with meats of various kinds,
and honey of the finest flavor. After the first year or two there was
plenty of meal in the chest and butter and milk in the cellar. Very
little coffee and sugar were used, and tea was almost unknown. The

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

569

family that had coffee two or three times a week were considered
“ high livers.” Often it was only used once a week — Sunday morn-
ins: for breakfast.

Many families used sassafras tea, spice tea, and sycamore tea; the
latter was made of sycamore chips, and was in considerable favor with
the Loutre islanders. It is said that sycamore tea, when sweetened
with maple sugar, resembles chocolate very much.

PIONEER WEDDINGS.

A pioneer wedding in this county would not compare, in point of
elegance and finish, with one in these days. For there were lacking
the paraphernalia of display and the pomp and circumstance attendant
in this age upon affairs of that character. In those days few people
wore “ store goods.” Their apparel was for the most part of home-
spun. A “ Sunday suit ” resembled an “ every-day ” suit, so far as
general appearance went.

A bridal toilet, therefore, was not expensive ; neither was it elabor¬
ate, fanciful or very showy; neither was it extensive. But it was
sensible, for it was sufficient, and it was appropriate to the times, the
manners, and the circumstances. Yet the bride was as well dressed as
the groom. But for all this, and for all of many other discomforts and
disadvantages, the marriages were as fortunate and felicitous and the
weddings themselves as joyous as any of those of modern times. The
wedding was seldom or never a private one. The entire settlement
was invited and uniformly accepted the invitation. To neglect to send
an invitation was to give offense ; to refuse was to give an insult.
There were all sorts of merry-making and diversion during the day. At
night a dance was had, in which there was general participation. Many
of the dancers were barefoot, it is true, and the ball-room floor was
composed of split puncheons, from which the splinters had not all
been removed, but the soles of the feet were covered with a coating
impenetrable almost as a coat of armor, and bade defiance to an}7 fair¬
sized splinter. Indeed, one old pioneer says that a real merry dance
always resulted in smoothing a puncheon floor, as if it had been gone
over with four and twenty jack-planes !

The wedding feast was always worthy of the name. The cake was
corn-pone; the champagne and claret consisted of good old Kentucky
and Missouri whisky, clear and pure as mountain dew, unadulterated
by mercenary “ rectifiers ” and untouched and untaxed by gauger and
government. The latter article was usually imported for the occasion,
sometimes from St. Louis or St. Charles, and sometimes from old

570

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Kentucky. Then there were venison steaks and roasts, turkey, grouse,
nectar-like maple syrup, and other edibles toothsome and elegant.

On page 78, Pioneer Families of Missouri, is given an interesting
but peculiar account of a wedding in an early day, the ceremony
being performed by Jabe Ham. Space forbids its insertion here.
But some of the early weddings in this county were not such rude
affairs, for the parents were fairly well-to-do, and were able to pro¬
vide the contracting parties with suitable outfits, and have everything

done decentlv and in order.

PIONEER PREACHERS.

Following close upon the footsteps of the first settlers came the
ministers. Sometimes they were the first settlers themselves. They
labored without money and without price. They did not make mer¬
chandise of their mission. Freely had they received and freely they
gave. They gained their subsistence as did their neighbors, by the
rifle, and by their daily toil in the clearings and corn fields. Nearly
every pioneer preacher was as expert in the use of the rifle as any of
the laity.

Services were usually held in a neighbor’s cabin. Notices of the
44 meeting” were promptly and generally circulated, and the people
generally attended, uniformly bringing their rifles, to procure game
going and coming. The assertion of Scripture that he who will not
provide for his own, 4 4 and specially for those of his own household,
is worse than an infidel,” found credence with the pioneers. The
practice of carrying fire-arms was not abandoned even on the Sabbath.

An old pioneer states that on one occasion religious services were
held in this county when the preacher proclaimed the gospel of peace
with his hands and his clothing covered with blood from a deer he had
killed and butchered on his way to the meeting that morning. The
circumstance did not tie his tongue nor cause his hearers to abate one
jot or tittle of their attention. The man was not a graduate of any
theological school, but he was devout, and the simplicity and power
with which he expounded his text and proclaimed the truths of the
gospel had an effect upon his congregation which clearly showed that
the spirit of the Master was with him.

44 Pioneer Families,” p. 237, says : —

The dates of the organizations of the various churches in Mont-
gomery county are difficult to obtain. On the 16th of April, 1824,
a Baptist church called Freedom was organized at the house of John
Snethen, on Dry fork of Loutre, by Revs. William Coats and Felix

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

571

Brown. The following members were enrolled at the time: John
Snethen and wife, Nancy Skelton, Sarah Elston, William Hall, Mary
Allen and Jonathan Elston. Mr. Snethen was chosen deacon, and
Jonathan Elston, clerk. A small log church was erected the follow¬
ing July, and their meetings were held in it for a number of years.
In this church, on January 4, 1825, Alexander Snethen and Jabez
Ham were ordained ministers, by Revs. William Coats and Absalom
Brainbridge. During the first four years of the existence of this
church the collections for all purposes amounted to $1.75.

About 1838 another church building was erected on South Bear
creek, also called Freedom, but owing to its location near some
stagnant water it subsequently received the facetious appellation of
“Frog Pond.” The association was afterward removed to Jones-
burg, and retained the name of Freedom.

CONCLUSION.

Thus has been sketched, in general terms, the life of the old pio¬
neer, and incidents of those early days. Not all is here given, for
it would take many more pages than is generally contained in one book
to record them, but while there may be numerous omissions, enough
is here written to show the present generation how the old settlers, in
the early history of the county, worked to improve their lands and
secure a competency for old age. And so the country grew and pros¬
pered under the strength of the brawny arms of her noble old pioneers.
Civilization advanced, and material prosperity could be seen on every
hand. Such has been in a measure the history of the early pioneers
of this beautiful country, and those who are living can look back with
interest to the days which tried the nerves, the muscle, and the in¬
domitable will of the fathers and mothers who had the future of the
county in their keeping.

The early pioneers made history, but took no care to preserve it.
This is a sad loss to the county. Those years, and the lives and actions
of the heroes and patriots then living, were of the greatest importance.
Then it was that the foundation was laid and a noble and enduring
superstructure was to be reared, upon which the moral, physical and
political future of the country was to rest. While there were no stir¬
ring events or remarkable happenings, it was a time of self-reliance,
of persevering toil, of privation, that was endured with heroic forti¬
tude, believing in a future reward of successful labor, of the good
time coming, when the woods and the open prairie should resolve
themselves into well cultivated farms, and their humble cabins into
residences befitting their improved financial condition. They had
come into the boundless wilderness poor in purse, but rich in faith
and powerful in endurance, and their future was before them.

CH AP T E E Y.

LEADING INCIDENTS FROM 1820 TO 1830,

MONTGOMERY COUNTY UNDER MISSOURI AS A STATE.

For the particulars of the admission of Missouri into the Federal
Union as a State, the reader is referred to pp. 31-36 of this volume.
It will be seen that Montgomery county had two delegates in the con¬
vention which framed the first constitution of the State — Jonathan

✓

Ramsey and James Talbott. Mr. Ramsey lived in what is now
Warren county. Dr. James Talbott lived in the southern part
of this county ; he afterwards represented the county in the Legis¬
lature.

The first election in Montgomery county after the State was ad¬
mitted into the Union came off in August, 1822. At this election a
member of Congress (John Scott) and representatives to the Legis¬
lature and a State Senator were chosen. Elections were held in what
is now Montgomery county at the Big Spring and Loutre Lick.

The population of Montgomery county in 1821 was 2,032, but this
included what is now Warren county, and considerable other territory
not now belonging to Montgomery.

One of the first three judges of the Supreme Court of the State
appointed by Gov. McNair was Matthias McGirk, of Montgomery
county. Judge McGirk married Elizabeth Talbott, a daughter of Col.
Hail Talbott, and came to this county in 1819. He lived on the Missouri
bottom, above the island, and built the brick house at the foot of
the bluff, where Dr. G. Y. Bast lived afterwards. The supreme
judges were appointed to serve until they were 65 years of age,
and Judge McGirk resigned in 1841. He died in the brick house
before mentioned. The Judge was a native of Tennessee, born in
1790.

(572)

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

573

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOONE’S LICK ROAD.

Doubtless the most famous thoroughfare in Missouri is what is now
and always has been known as the “ Boone’s Lick ” road. This road
was surveyed and laid out in the year 1820, and originally ran from
St. Charles to Old Franklin, in Howard county, nearly opposite
Boonville. Prior to this a sort of trace or poor road had been used,
but now this was to be made a public road, under the patronage of
the soon-to-be State of Missouri. The road then in use was largely
traveled, but it needed repairing and straightening in many places.

As to the amount of travel over the road in 1819, read the following
from the Old Franklin (Howard county) Intelligencer of April 23,
1819 : —

The immigration to this Territory, and particularly to this county,
during the present season almost exceeds belief. Those who have
arrived in this quarter are principally from Kentucky, Tennessee, etc.
Immense numbers of wagons, carriages, carts, etc., with families,
have for some time past been daily arriving. During the month of
October it is stated that no less than 271 wagons and four-wheeled
carriages and 55 two-wheeled carriages and carts passed near St.
Charles, bound principally for Boone’s Lick. It is calculated that the
number of persons accompanying these wagons, etc., could not be less
than three thousand (3,000). It is stated in the St. Louis Enquirer
of the 10th inst., that about twenty wagons, etc., per week had passed
through St. Charles for the last nine or ten weeks, with wealthy and
respectable emigrants from various States whose united numbers are
supposed to amount to 12,000. The county of Howard, already re¬
spectable in numbers, will soon possess a vast population; and no
section of our country presents a fairer prospect to the emigrant.

When the road was made in 1820, Col. Nathan Boone surveyed it
through what is now Montgomery county. It is believed that Alex¬
ander McKinney was the principal surveyor, however. In the neigh¬
borhood of Loutre Lick, especially on the west side, those who worked
on the new road were Robert Graham, Maj. Isaac Van Bibber,
“Fauncy” Boone, Thomas and Jerry Smith, Thomas Hickerson,
James Beatty, David Craig, Tarlton Gore (cousin of Capt. Callaway)
and a few others. Alex. Graham, who carried his father’s dinner to
him when he was at work on the road, remembers the time very well,
and remembers also that Tarlton Gore and David Craig had a fight
while they were at work on the hill west of Loutre creek.

574

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THE BOONE’S LICK STAGE LINE.

When the road was opened travel over it increased, and, as it has
been many a time since, one could stand on the road at times and not
be out of sight of au emigrant wagon. As soon as the road was
opened fairly a stage line was established from St. Charles to Old
Franklin. This was contemplated the year before, as witness the fol¬
lowing from the Old Franklin Intelligencer of April 23, 1819 : —

It is contemplated, we understand, shortly to commence running a
stage from St. Louis to Franklin. Such an undertaking would, no
doubt, liberally remunerate the enterprising and meritorious individ¬
uals engaged, and be of immense benefit to the public, who would,
doubtless, prefer this to any other mode of traveling. A stage has
been running from St. Louis to St. Charles, three times a week, for
several months past. Another from the town of Illinois (now East
St. Louis, opposite St. Louis) to Edwardsville — aline from Edwards-
ville to Vincennes, we understand, is in contemplation. It will then
only remain to have it continued from Vincennes to Louisville. When
these lines shall have gone into operation, a direct communication by
stage will then be opened from the Atlantic States to Boone’s Lick,
on the Missouri.

The stage made at first weekly trips ; then it ran twice, then three
times a week, and at the last it ran daily, and sometimes so heavy was
the travel that four or five coaches left St. Charles daily for the far
West. At first the line ran only as far as Franklin (or Old Franklin,
as it is best known), on the Missouri river, in Howard county, nearly
opposite Boonville. But the site of Old Franklin has long since been
washed into the river and what was once the metropolis of the Boone’s
Lick country, and a flourishing town generally, has hided away for
ever. In 1821 the line was extended to Fort Osage, in Jackson
countv, 275 miles from St. Louis, and 100 miles above Franklin.
The following is a copy of the table of distances between stations from
St. Louis to Fort Osage by the stage line in 1822, as shown in Beck’s
Gazetteer of 1823 : —

Stations.

Miles.

St. Charles

. 20

Coonts . .

. 9

Fond Fort

. 12

Journey’s

. 15

Camp Branch

. 12

Williamson’s

• • • • • • • • Id

Loutre Lick .

Ward’s . .

. 14

Watson’s . .

. 6

Cedar Creek .

. 20

Stations. Miles.

Estell’s . 4

Grayum’s . 10

Thrall’s . 10

Arnold’s . 5

Franklin . 15

Chariton . 22

Ferril’s Ferry . 12

Fort Osage . 69

Total . 276

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

575

FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.

The first Fourth of July celebration in Montgomery county was
held at Loutre Lick, July 4, 1821, when Missouri was practically and
rightfully of the American Union. Great preparations had been made
for the event. Maj. Van Bibber labored hard to make everything
a success. He procured an abundant supply of provisions, including
several gallons of whisky.

There was a large crowd present. Many came from Pinckney and
Loutre Island, and all of the upper country turned out. The stage
from St. Louis brought up the speakers, who were Edward Bates,
David Barton, Elias Rector and other notables. Numbers were
present from St. Charles county. Speeches were made by some of
the most noted men in the history of Missouri amid great en¬
thusiasm.

Toasts were responded to by Edward Bates, David Barton and
others. At night there was a big dance in Maj. Van Bibber’s new
house, which, though unfinished at the time, had plenty of room and
a big floor, so that nearly a dozen couples could dance at once.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN 1822.

Beck's Gazetteer 'makes the following mention of important streams
in Montgomery county as it was in 1822: —

Charrette creek, a beautiful stream of Montgomery county, runs a
southerly course, and empties into the Missouri on the left side, in
township 45 north, in range 1 west, of the fifth principal meridian, two
or three miles below the town of Newport. The lands on this stream
are ^enerallv fertile.

Charrette village, at the mouth of Charrette creek, contains 40 or
50 families, which are principally French. It lies in a bent of the
Missouri ; and opposite to it is a large island, which is very fertile.
The distance from the place to St. Charles is about 40 miles.

Lost creek, a small stream of the county, runs a south course, and
empties into the Missouri in township 45 north, in range 3, west of
the fifth principal meridian. Pinckney, the seat of justice of Mont¬
gomery county, is situated near the mouth of the stream.

Loutre river, a stream of Montgomery county, runs a southeast
course, and empties into the Missouri in township 46 north, in range
5 west, of the sixth principal meridian, 10 miles below the confluence
of the Gasconade. It affords a number of excellent mill-seats ; and
on its borders are some fine districts of farming land. Loutre island
is in the Missouri, opposite the mouth of the stream, and is 12 miles
in length. The soil is very fertile, and it has a compact settlement.

576

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

On the head waters of the stream are said to be ancient works, simi¬
lar to those on the Mississippi.

POOR MARKETS .

Up to 1830 prices for all sorts of produce were very low in Mont¬
gomery county. The average price of wheat was 37V2 cents per
bushel at Loutre Lick and elsewhere in the county, and only 50 cents
at St. Louis. There was scarcely any market for tobacco at home.
Commonly it was hauled to St. Louis, where the lugs brought $2 per
hundred, and the best leaf $4. As the trip occupied a week on an
average, and as the expense of crossing the river at St. Charles was
considerable, there was not much money in tobacco.

There was not much money in anything the settlers raised. There
was no market for hogs and cattle at home. In 1825 a dealer from
Ohio came to Maj. Van Bibber’s, at Loutre Lick, and let it be known
that he wanted to buy a few hundred head of cattle. The people
flocked in with their stock, and he soon had as many as he wanted at
his owu price. For fine cattle, weighing 1,200 pounds, he paid $5 and
$6, and other grades brought proportionate prices. Yet even at these
figures settlers came and sold their cattle from off Lower Loutre, and
from far and wide throughout the country.

Wages at this time for laborers, when any were hired, were from
25 cents to 50 cents a day. Ofttimes slaves were hired for $100 a
year and their board and two suits of coarse clothing.

REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT FROM PINCKNEY TO LEWISTON.

In 1826 or 1827 the county seat of Montgomery county was re¬
moved from Pinckney to a new site, near the center of the county.
Pinckney was down on the river, and very inconvenient for the
people who lived in the upper portion of the county.

The new capital of the county was laid out on the Boone’s Lick
road, a short distance south of where New Florence now stands and
west of High Hill. Every vestige of the town has long since disap¬
peared. It was named in honor of Col. Merri weather Lewis, of Lewis
and Clark’s expedition, and also the second Governor of the Terri¬
tory of Louisiana. He committed suicide in Tennessee, in 1809. The
land on which the town was situated was entered in 1818, by Amos
Kibbe, who donated to the county a sufficient quantity of land on which
to erect the public buildings.

The first terms of the county court, at Lewiston, were held in the
house of Mr. Kibbe, but as soon as it could be done a court-house

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

577

and jail were erected, both of which were of logs. The court-house
was not only built of logs, but it was floored with puncheons. The
roof was of clap-boards, held on by weight poles. It is said that in
the intervals between sessions of the courts, the court house was
often used by Mr. Kibbe as a sheep stable. Care was always taken,
however, to drive out the sheep and sweep the house clean before
the commencement of each session of the court. The court-room
was only 16 feet square.

The jail was of the same size as the court-house, 18 feet square.
It was composed of two walls, with hewn timber set on end before
them. It was built by Chas. Allen. The materials for both jail and
court house were furnished by different persons, who were paid off in
county warrants, with which some of them liquidated their taxes for
the next 10 years.

Mr. Kibbe laid off and sold lots in Lewiston, and a small town soon
came into existence. George Bast and Wm. Knox opened the first
store, hauling their goods from St. Louis in an ox wagon. They
sold principally for skins and furs, which they bartered in St. Louis
for new goods. Hides and furs were about the same as legal tenders
in those days. Bast & Knox did a flourishing business of the kind
as long as they were engaged in trade, but not long after they
began business they met with a serious misfortune, which ruined
them financially, and they were forced to suspend. They had been
to St. Louis with a load of furs and started home with a stock of
new goods in their wagon. When they drove on board of the old
flat-boat or scow, used as a ferry at St. Charles, it sank, and their
team, wagon, and goods were all lost. This misfortune left them
without means to carry on their business and they suspended. It
may well be conjectured that neither their capital or their stock was
very large, if the loss of one wagon load of goods was sufficient to
swamp them.

Lewiston continued t© be the capital of the county until after
Warren county was struck off, in 1833, when the following year the
countv seat was removed to Danville. The town — Lewiston — was
never a place of any considerable size or importance, and is now
wholly extinct. Indeed there are disputes among those who knew it
once as to where it stood.

FIRST MURDER CASE AND FIRST LEGAL EXECUTION IN THE COUNTY.

In the summer of 1828 occurred the first murder in Montgomery
county. This was the killing of John Tanner, by his negro slave

578

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Moses. Tanner lived on Cuivr^ river, in the north-eastern part of
the county, and had not been long in the county. He had acted dis¬
gracefully towards Moses’ wife, who was herself a slave, and she
told her husband of the fact.

The negro was very much attached to his wife, and when she
informed him of his master’s conduct, his spirit rose in great indigna¬
tion and he seemed like a distracted person. Then he vowed revenge.

He left home, secreted himself in the woods, and it was reported
that he had run away. But there were those who knew of his where¬
abouts, and who sympathized with him, gave him provisions, and
counseled him to leave the country. He told his story in such feeling
language and with such burning words, that one man gave him a
loaded rifle, saying, “ Do what you please with it, but, 1 would kill a
scoundrel that would treat my wife so.”

Moses embraced the rifle as he would have grasped his free papers
and disappeared in the woods. That night Tanner was killed. Moses
crawled up to the house and shot him through an opening in the
wooden chimney, which had not been completed. The house was an
ordinary log cabin, with a partly finished floor. Tanner was sitting
on this floor, with his face towards the chimney and his feet in the lap
of the wife to whom he had been so shameful^ untrue. When Moses
fired, the ball struck him fairly in the breast. He sprang to his feet
and called to his wife, “ hand me my gun,” but before she could do
so he staggered to the door, fell, and died instantly.

Moses was arrested, indicted, and tried at Lewiston. He did not
deny his guilt, and there was no trouble to secure his conviction. The
extenuating circumstances availed him nothing except to secure gen¬
eral sympathy. The laws of Missouri were inexorable on slaves who
killed their masters, and public polic}^ seemed to demand the with¬
holding of a pardon in this case. There were a few who thought he
richly deserved death, because a slave, they held, ought not to have
sympathies, affections, or sensibilities, which could not be interfered
with by his master in any way, and to any extent. But there was no
talk of a mob in the case.

The negro was sentenced to be, and was hung, at Lewiston, in the
spring of 1829. Rose thus describes the manner of his execution : —

Henry Clark was sheriff at the time, and rode in a cart with the
negro, seated on his coffin, to the scaffold. The last act of the con¬
demned man before his execution was to sing the hvmn commencing,

“ Show pity, Lord; O, Lord forgive.”

This he did in such an affecting manner that nearly all who were

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

579

present shed tears. No other scene like it was ever witnessed in
Montgomery county. The body was given to Dr. Jones, of Marthas-
ville, who dissected it for the benefit of his students.

Some of those who were present at the hanging, say that Moses, on
the scaffold, admitted his guilt, but stated the circumstances, and said
he could not eat or sleep or rest after his wife had informed him of
her disgrace. He averred that he loved his wife as devotedly as any
white man loved his wife, and any injury to her affected him as
deeply.

MISCELLANEOUS.

In the first settlement of the county, there was none or but little
undergrowth in the woods. The Indians kept it burned off so that
they could see to hunt. The ground in the woods, in the warm
months, was covered with weeds, grass, peavines, and other vegeta¬
tion. A man, or even an animal could not go through without making
a plainly visible trail, and this is the reason why trails could be easily
pursued.

The wild sweet peavines grew very luxuriantly, especially in the
bottoms. So rank were they that in many places they kept green
and cattle lived upon them all winter, without other feed, and came
out in fair order the next spring. Hogs, too, were easily wintered
but for the wolves ; the bears did not give much trouble in the winter,
as they were usually hibernating in some hollow tree or cave.
Horses ran out in the warm season, after the Indians left, and there
was no limit to the rich luxuriant pasturage they had.

CHAPTER YI.

GENERAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY FROM 1830 TO 1861.

Murder of William Kent by Waller Graves — During the Black Hawk War — Visit of
Washington Irving — “The Falling of the Stars” — Organization of Warren
County — Removal of the County Seat — The St. Louis Railroad Convention —
Montgomery County in 1837 — Early National Elections — The Florida and Mormon
Wars — The Political Canvass of 1840 — “ Hard Times ” — Murder of John Pear¬
son by his Son-in-Law, John Freeman — Hanging of Freeman — The “Jackson
Resolutions” — Miscellaneous Events from 1844 to 1852 — Murder of Caroline
Scholten by John Huting — Execution of Huting — The Native Americans —
Miscellaneous — Census of 1860 — The Presidential Campaign of 1860 — After the
Presidental Election — The Legislature of 1860-61.

MURDER OF WILLIAM KENT BY WALLER GRAVES.

October 2, 1830, William Kent, who lived in what is now the west¬
ern part of Warren county, was killed by Waller Graves, a citizen of
this county. The killing was brought about in this wise : —

A Dr. Madison boarded with a Mr. Nettles, who lived at the Beatty
Place, north-west of Loutre Lick. The doctor was a mysterious sort
of person, who wore good clothes, seemed to have plenty of money,
but had no practice, and often made mysterious and sudden depart¬
ures from and arrivals into the neighborhood. At last, on one occa¬
sion, when the doctor had been absent some days, Mr. Nettles’ horse
was missing. In looking about Dr. Madison’s dagger was found in
the spring house. It was at once concluded that he had stolen the
horse and left the country. The alarm was given, and a party was
soon made up and in pursuit. Waller Graves was one of the
pursuers.

At Newton Howell’s, now in Warren, but then in Montgomery, Wil¬
liam Kent was encountered. He expressed doubts that Dr. Madison was
a horse thief, saying, “ He is too nice a man.” Graves at once said,
“ You are one of his friends.” A quarrel resulted, and Graves sud¬
denly drew up his rifle and shot Kent dead. The act was done in
extreme passion, and it has been asserted that Graves was undoubtedly
insane. Win. Kent was a son of Isaac Kent, who came to Missouri
in 1819. He — William — had married Mary A. Zumwalt, a daugh¬
ter of either Adam or John, the noted pioneers of St. Charles
county.

(580)

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

581

Waller Graves was arrested without resistance and imprisoned in
the jail at Lewiston. He was indicted and when his trial came on he
took a change of venue to Callaway county, and was tried at Fulton.
He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three vears’ im-
prisonment in the county jail of Montgomery county. There was no
penitentiary in Missouri at that date, and offenders sentenced to im¬
prisonment were confined in the county jails. In a year or so Graves
died in the jail at Lewiston. A few persons believed, however, .that
he made his escape from jail — or was released privately, but this is
not probable. There was a great deal of sympathy for him, however,
because it was thought he was not responsible when he killed Mr.
Kent.

DURING THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

When the Black Hawk War broke out, in the summer of 1832, there
was some uneasiness in Montgomery county among the settlers who
remembered the experiences of 1807-15. Fears of a general uprising
among the savages, and of a raid upon the exposed settlements of
North Missouri, were entertained by many, and the militia in this part
of the State were mustered.

Fearing for the northern frontier and the north-eastern portion of
the State, Gov. John Miller early adopted precautionary measures.
About the 10th of May, 1832, he ordered the generals commanding the
Missouri militia to warn the members of their commands “ to keep
in readiness a horse, with the necessary equipments, a rifle in good
order, with an ample supply of ammunition,” etc. On the 25th of
May, 1832, he ordered Maj.-Gen. Richard Gentry, of Columbia, to
raise, without delay, 1,000 volunteers for the defense of the frontiers
of the State, to be in readiness to start at a moment’s warning. Ac¬
cordingly, on the 29th of May, 1832, orders were issued by Gen.
Gentry, Brig. -Gens. Benjamin Means, commanding the Seventh,
Jonathan Riggs,1 Eighth, and Jesse T. Wood, Ninth brigade, Third
division, to raise the required quota, the first named 400 and each of
the last 300 men.

Subsequently, in June, affairs having assumed a serious shape, Gen.
Gentry issued the following order : —

Columbia, June 25, 1832.

In a general order directed to me by the executive of the State of
Missouri, under date of May 25, 1832, wherein I am required to raise

1 This is the same Jonathan Riggs who was lieutenant of Capt. Callaway’s com¬
pany when the captain was killed.

582

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and organize 1,000 mounted volunteers, for the defense of the north¬
ern frontier, from the Third division of militia, under my command,
and to organize them into regiments of 500 each, I have, in pursuance
of said order, made by lot, the following organizations, viz : The
live companies of volunteers raised in the county of Boone, the two
companies raised in the county of Callaway, and the two companies
in the county of Montgomery shall constitute the First regiment.
The companies composing the First regiment have been organized by
lot, in the following manner, to- wit : The company commanded by
Patrick Ewing, of Callaway, is the 1st; the company commanded by
Thos. D. Grant, of Boone, is the 2d; the company commanded by
Parker Dudley, of Montgomery, is the 3rd ; the company commanded
by D. M. Hickman, of Boone, is the 4th ; the company com¬
manded by John Jamison, of Callaway, is the 5th; the company
commanded by Thomas Griffith, of Montgomery, is the 6th.

* * * The captains commanding companies will cause elec¬
tions to be held in their respective companies ou the following days,
to-wit : those belonging to the First regiment on the 4th of July next,

* * * for the purpose of electing a colonel, lieutenant-colonel ,
and major to each regiment, at such places as the several officers
commanding companies may designate, and make return to me with¬
out delay. By order of

Richard Gentry,

Maj. Gen. Comdg. 3d Div. Mo. Militia.

The companies of Capts. Griffith and Dudley were soon organized,
armed, mounted, and ready to take the field. Although never called
into active service the companies from this county stood prepared for
duty, and were ready to seize their guns and spring into their saddles
at the sound of the first war-whoop, or when their officers should give
the command.

The war closed in the ensuing fall, and the period of anxiety and
apprehension soon passed.

VISIT OF WASHINGTON IRVING.

About the 1st of September, 1832, Washington Irving, one of the
most distinguished and graceful of American writers, visited Mont¬
gomery county on his way to the far West. He came by way of the
stage over the Boone’s Lick road. He stopped in Lewiston a short
time, and at Loutre Lick he left the stage and ; remained one day at
the lick and in wandering among the picturesque hills in the vicinity.
To Maj. Van Bibber he said : “ When I get rich I am coming here to
buy this place and build a nice residence here.”

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

583

“ THE FALLING OF THE STARS.”

Between 3 and 4 o’clock on Wednesday morning, November 13,
1833, there occurred in Montgomery county and throughout the
whole country a meteoric phenomenon, the splendor of which never
passed from the memory of those who witnessed it. It was called, in
popular language, “the falling of the stars,” and is vividly remem¬
bered by those who had the good fortune to witness it. An incon¬
ceivable number of meteors or falling stars shot across and downward
from the heavens, as though the whole framework of the blue and
cloudless arch above had been shaken. It was a radiating and heavy
rain of fire, in meteoric particles of the greatest brilliancy. In some
parts of the country the shower of meteors continued until near sun¬
rise, when, it is supposed, they “ paled their ineffectual fires ” only
before the greater brilliancy of the sun.

ORGANIZATION OF WARREN COUNTY - REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT.

January 5, 1833, the Legislature passed an act organizing Warren
county out of Montgomery, taking off the eastern side of the county,
and taking out a large part from the south-eastern portion. It is
said that this was done for the benefit of Jonathan Ramsey, who
lived on the aforesaid “part” and wished to remain in Warren
county.

The next year (1834) after the organization of Warren county the
county seat was removed to Danville, and in a short time quite a
thriving little village sprang into existence. (For particulars see the
local history.) It is said that Loutre Lick came near being made the
county seat instead of Danville. Among the arguments in favor of
the Lick was that slack-water navigation could be established on the
Loutre, so that steamboats might ascend from the Missouri affording
steamboat communication between the new capital and St. Louis.

THE ST. LOUIS RAILROAD CONVENTION.

In April, 1836, the first railroad convention met in St. Louis, and
steps were taken to secure the building of these roads in Missouri,
one from St. Louis to Fayette, on the line of the Boone’s Lick road ;
one from St. Louis to Bellevue Valley, in Washington county, “ and
also a branch from some convenient point on the last mentioned road
to the Meramee iron works, in Crawford county, with a view to its
ultimate extension through Cooper county to a point on the Missouri

584

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

river in Jackson county.” The convention adopted the following,
amonoj other resolutions : —

1. It is now expedient to adopt measures for the construction of a
railroad from St. Louis to Fayette, with the view of ultimately ex¬
tending the road in that general direction, as far as public convenience
and the exigences of trade may require.

2. That the proprosed railroad from St. Louis to Fayette ought to
cross the Missouri river at the town of St. Charles and through or
within one mile of the several towns of Warrenton, Danville, Fulton
and Columbia, the said towns being points most acceptable to the
people of the counties through which the road is proposed to pass.

There attended this convention, as delegates from Montgomery county,
Dr. M. M. Maughs, S. C. Ruby and Nathaniel Dryden. They were
appointed at a meeting held in the bar-room of the old Williams brick
tavern, at Danville, a month previously. A few people of this county
were alive, even at that day, to the importance of securing railroads.

Delegates from Warren to this convention were Carty Wells, Na¬
thaniel Pendleton and Irvine S. Pitman.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN 1837.

“ Wetmore’s Gazetteer of Missouri,” printed by Harper Brothers in
1837, gives the following description of Montgomery county in that
year : —

Montgomery county is bounded on the south by the Missouri river,
which separates it from Gasconade and Franklin counties ; on
the east by Warren and Lincoln counties ; on the north by an
unorganized county called Audrain, and on the west bv Calla¬
way. The county stretches about twelve miles on the Missouri
river, on which there are rich bottoms, heavily timbered. A portion
of Loutre island is in this county, and contains a number of fertile
farms. A considerable range of bluffs extends parallel with the river.
Loutre creek runs through the western part of this county, and sev¬
eral branches of the same drain the north-western part of the county.
Upon the waters of this stream are situated a number of farms and a
considerable population. Loutre prairie extends from the creek of
the same name to the eastern limit of the State, more than twenty
miles, and through it passes the Boone’s Lick road. In the northern
and north-eastern part of the county there is much prairie. The
soil of this county is in some places good, in others thin ; but in many
parts there are good situations for farms, much good timber, and
many fine springs. A large portion of the land in this county still
belongs to the United States, and many valuable entries might still
be made. The streams afford some good mill-sites. On Loutre

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

585

creek there have been discovered extensive bodies of valuable stone
coal, that has been used to some extent in smith’s shops. On the
bluffs south of Lexington, in many places, are large bodies of iron
ore, believed to be valuable, and it is said that there are also indica¬
tions of the existence of lead ore. Lead has been manufactured by
the Indians on Lead creek, a branch of Cuivre, in former vears.
There are in different parts of the county limestone and freestone,
suitable for building purposes. There is a saline, or salt lick, called
Loutre lick. Wheat, corn, tobacco, and live stock are the staple
productions of the country.

If a railroad be made from St. Louis to the western part of the
State, it must traverse the county. The population are principally
emigrants from Kentucky and Virginia. There is much good land
upon Little Loutre, Elkhorn, Lead creek, Raccoon creek, and other
streams, branches of Cuivre and Loutre. There were a number of
adventures and fights with the Indians in this county in early times,
an accurate account of which would be highly interesting.

The following were the post-offices in the county in 1836, with the
postmasters : - —

Big Spring, Jacob Groom, postmaster; Danville, Charles J. Drury ;
Bridgeport, John A. Hunter ; Lewiston, AmosKibbe ; Loutre Island,
J. H. Neile ; West Fork, James Ramsey.

The population of Montgomery in 1830 (including what is now
Warren) was 3,902 ; in 1836, three years after Warren was taken off,
it was 2,891.

EARLY NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

As Montgomery had been a county while Missouri was a territory
she was one of the original counties when it became a State. It took
part in the Presidential election of 1820, when James Monroe was
unanimously chosen President by all the States, only one dissenting
electoral vote being given, but one State not having been formally
admitted into the Union, her vote was not cast.

In* 1824 the strife in Montgomery county was between John Q.
Adams and Andrew Jackson ; the Adams men were slightly in the
majority. The Wm. H. Crawford and Henry Clay men had but few
supporters. When the election was thrown into and decided by the
House of Representatives, Hon. John Scott, then the single Repre¬
sentative from Missouri, cast the vote of the State for John Quincy
Adams, who was elected.

In 1828 the contest was between John Q. Adams, of the National
Republican party, and Andrew Jackson, the candidate of the Demo¬
cratic party, then for the first time so called. This was the first time

586

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

politics excited much attention in this county. Jacob Groom, Maj.
Isaac Van Bibber, Col. Wm. Talbott and Jonathan Ramsey were the
leading Jackson men. Dr. Robert Graham, Jacob L. Sharp and Isaac
Clark were prominent Adams men. Alex. Graham, whose father was
a strong Adams man, remembers well that he was greatly incensed at
Ewing Van Bibber, who, after the election, when it was known that
Gen. Jackson was successful, sang lustily, to the tune of “ Auld Lang

Syne,” a Jackson song of victory, two lines of which were as follows :

“ Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind,

Since Jackson is our President, and Adams left behind?”

Young Graham wanted to thrash Van Bibber for his exasperating dog¬
gerel .

Gen. Jackson carried Montgomery county and the State, the latter
by a majority of 4,872 in a total vote of 11,672, but John Miller, an
Adams man, was elected Governor without opposition.

In 1832, when Gen. Jackson and Martin Van Buren were the Demo¬
cratic candidates for President and Vice-President, and opposed to them
were Henry Clay and John Sergeant, the nominees of the National Re¬
publicans, Montgomery county voted for Clay by a small majority,
but the Democrats carried the State.

In 1836, Martin Van Buren and Col. Dick Johnson were the Demo¬
cratic candidates and Wm. Henrv Harrison and Francis Granger the
regular Whig nominees. Hugh L. White, of Tennessee (Whig), was
an Independent candidate. In Montgomery county the vote stood :
Van Buren, 92; Whig candidates, 169. In the State the vote was:
Van Buren, 10,995 ; Harrison, 7,337 ; White, 3,256.

THE FLORIDA AND MORMON WARS.

In the Florida War (1837) Montgomery county did not take an
important part. Only three men are remembered as having partici¬
pated in it who were even well known here. Their names are Mon¬
tague Trimble, Warren Tate and Samuel Nilkes. It is said they
really lived in the eastern part of Callaway, but were so frequently in
Montgomery and about Danville as to be well identified with this
county. They belonged to Capt. W. H. Russell’s company (of Cal¬
laway), of Gen. Richard Gentry’s regiment, the only one that served
in the war from this State.

In the “ Mormon War” (see pp. 54-56), the militia of this county
were at one time ordered to get ready to move, but marching orders
actually never came, and so they were spared the misfortune of being

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

587

engaged in that fiasco. Large numbers of the Mormons passed
through the county over the Boone’s Lick road, on their way from
the Eastern States to the “ Far West,” then the headquarters of the
Mormons. On one Sunday they encamped at Loutre Lick, on the
west side of the stream, and had preaching and other religious ser¬
vices. One preacher jabbered away in a lot of jibberish which
nobody could understand, but which all said was “ speaking in the
unknown tongue,” an alleged holy language which only the divinely
inspired could interpret and comprehend.

THE POLITICAL CANVASS OF 1840.

In some respects the Presidential campaign of 1840 was the most

remarkable in the history of the United States from the time of their

•/

organization. The Whig party, then for the first time formidable in
the country, had re-nominated Gen. Harrison for President, asso¬
ciating with him John Tyler, of Virginia, for Vice-President. The
Democrats re-nominated Martin Van Buren and Richard M. Johnson.

Owing to the suspension of the United States bank, and from other
causes, there had been great stringency in the money market, and
there were other financial distresses which occasioned hard times
throughout the country. Many working men were either out of em¬
ployment or were at work for very low wages ; prices of produce had
fallen to insignificant figures, and there was general discontent with
the situation. Many people attributed the unhappy condition of
affairs to Mr. Van Buren and the Democrats. Then, as now, the
party in power was held responsible for the ills afflicting the country.

The Whigs of the country took advantage of the situation, and
conducted their campaign with unexampled ardor and enthusiasm.
Mass conventions of unprecedented numbers were held, in some
instances remaining in session for several days, which were addressed
by distinguished speakers, whose object seemed to be to influence the
popular enthusiasm and carry the election by music, banners, pro¬
cessions and stump oratory. Some of the Whig out-door meetings
in the Ohio valley numbered 20,000 and were addressed by Gen.
Harrison in person. At these monster assemblages miniature log
cabins and veritable coons and hard cider were displayed, and cam¬
paign songs sung, exciting the wildest enthusiasm ; so that the contest
took the name of the “ Log Cabin, Coon Skin and Hard Cider
Campaign.”

To counteract the influence of the meetings and the party para¬
phernalia employed by the Whigs to captivate the masses, the friends

588

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

of Mr. Van Buren held their conventions also, and, invoking the
name and influence of “ Old Hickory,” who ardently supported him
for the Presidency, adopted hickory houghs and the chicken-cock as
their party emblems, the former gracefully waving and the latter
defiantly crowing everywhere.

The Whi gs and Democrats of Missouri caught the prevailing en¬
thusiasm and conducted the canvass with unusual spirit. Mass
conventions, accompanied by the splendid pageantry of processions,
brilliant banners and martial music, to say nothing of political discus¬
sions unexcelled in fervid eloquence, abounded everywhere. The
State was wild with excitement, and many and interesting and graphic
are the scenes which our older citizens are able to recall of the cam¬
paign of 1840.

In Montgomery the excitement was of the prevailing character
throughout the State. Although the population was small, it was
enthusiastic. Large meetings were held at Danville, Loutre Lick, and
one good meeting was held at Middletown. The candidates for gov-
ernor, John B. Clark, Whig, and Thomas Reynolds, Democrat,
addressed the people. At Danville the Democrats put up a “ dummy,”
the figure of an old woman with a ragged, coperas-striped dress, an
old bonnet, etc., and labeled “ Granny Harrison .”

The Whigs carried the county for their candidate by what was con¬
sidered a handsome majority, the vote standing: Harrison, 344 ; Van
Buren, 262. But the Democrats carried the State by nearly 7,000
majority.

“HARD TIMES.”

Times were very hard upon the people of the county in 1842-43.
Money was scarce and very hard to get, and produce and wages ridicu¬
lously low. The market report in the fall showed that the best flour
per barrel, even in St. Louis, was only $2.50 in gold, and $3 in “ city
money.” Wheat was only 45 cents per bushel, and went down to
35. Potatoes and corn were 18 cents per bushel each. Nice, well-
cured hams brought 5 cents per pound. Tobacco, “ firsts,” brought
only $3.10 per hundred. On the other hand, groceries were propor¬
tionately cheap. Coffee was IOV2 cents per pound ; the best sugar
7 cents ; molasses 25 cents per gallon ; whisky, by the barrel, 18
cents per gallon ; by the single gallon, 25 cents ; by the pint, 5 cents.
In this county prices were even lower. Pork sold at Danville for
$1 .50 per hundred ; beef, $1 per hundred ; corn, 62V2 cents per bar¬
rel, or I2V2 cents per bushel; bacon, 2 and 3 cents per pound. A

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

589

good steer was considered well sold at $10. Cows brought propor¬
tionate prices. Horses and mules were a little better in price,
as certain local dealers were wont to buy up these animals and drive
them South into Arkansas and Louisiana, where there was a demand
for them at good figures. Occasionally, too, teams were purchased
by the movers, who were about the only customers the farmers had
for their produce.

MURDER OF JOHN PEARSON BY HIS SON-IN-LAW, JOHN FREEMAN -

HANGING OF FREEMAN.

Some time in the first years of the decade, beginning with 1840 —
not earlier than that year and not later than 1843 — a desperate mur¬
der was committed in the eastern part of the county, which resulted
not only in the death of the victim, but of the conviction and execu¬
tion of his murderer.

This was the killing of John Pearson, who lived in the vicinity of
Price’s branch, by his son-in-law, John Freeman. Pearson was an
old man, and Freeman was middle-aged. Freeman was afflicted with
a cancer which had eaten off his nose and a portion of his upper lip.
He presented a repulsive and distressing appearance, and his case
would have excited universal sympathy, but for the fact that he was
of an ill-temper and always had been, especially when drinking, of a
quarrelsome and vindictive disposition. This infirmity of his nature
was seemingly aggravated by the terrible, loathsome character of his
disease.

Freeman’s wife became estranged from him. Whether she became
disgusted with him because of his miserable appearance, which the
ravages of his complaint had caused, or whether she could not abide
his evil temper, is not certain. Perhaps both. At any rate she left
him, taking a daughter with her, and returned to her father, Mr.
Pearson. This action on the part of his wife enraged Freeman
greatly. After a time he went to Pearson’s and demanded that his
wife and daughter, or either of them, should return home with
him.

A quarrel resulted and Freeman assaulted his wife with a long,
keen knife. He stabbed her twice or thrice, once in the lower part
of the body, “cutting her to the hollow,” as one old settler,
rather indecorously, expresses it, and making a serious wound.
Her father interfered, and Freeman cut him so severely that he
died soon after. He also wounded his mother-in-law, Mrs. Pearson.
Mrs. Freeman fell across a bed and lay insensible for some time.

590

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Dr. Forshey was called, and he sewed up her wounds and she
recovered.

Freeman was arrested and committed to jail at Danville. From
here he contrived somehow to escape for a few days, but was appre¬
hended in this county and reimprisoned. He was tried, convicted of
murder, and sentenced to be hung. No efforts seem to have been
made for a commutation of the sentence. Three of the jury who
tried Freeman were Judge R. G. Snethen, Alonzo Wade and Edward
Bush, all of Loutre township. Judge Snethen is still living at his old
home, but, strangely enough, can not remember when the trial was,
who the judge and attorneys were, or who it was that Freeman
killed, whether his wife or his father-in-law, or both. He only re¬
members that the trial lasted three days, and that he was heartily
tired of it, being impatient to get home to a new wife !

Geo. W. Crane was the sheriff who hung; Freeman. The execution
came off north-east of Danville, at the borders of town, and under the
hill, on the west side of the Montgomery City road, as it now runs,
and south of the branch. A big crowd was present, and though the
writer has interviewed dozens who saw the hanging, not one remem¬
bers the year it occurred. It is probable, however, that the hanging
was in 1844, and the murder a year previous.

Freeman stood in a wagon with one end of a rope about his neck,
the other end being- fastened to abeam overhead. He made a few re-
marks just before he was hung, but owing to the effects of the cancer
on his mouth and tongue, they were unintelligible to all except those
nearest him. It is said his last words were: “Farewell, and fair
warning.”

Some time afterwards a sister of Freeman’s came into the countv

and made investigation into her brother’s case. She was quite wealthy,
and said if she had heard of it in time she would have employed the
best counsel and done everything to save his life. She seemed to
have some of her brother’s temper, and was very severe in her de¬
nunciation of all who were at all concerned in her brother’s death,
claiming that he was insane and beside himself, and not responsible
for what he did.

It is stated that some time after the hanging of Freeman reports
against the good character of Mrs. Freeman were circulated. In a
quarrel over this matter Beverly Camp struck John Archer on the
head with a handspike and killed him. This occurred at a house¬
raising in Warren county. It is believed that Mrs. Freeman married
again and removed to Texas and died there.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

591

THE ‘ ‘ JACKSON RESOLUTIONS . ’ ’

Iii the Legislature of 1849, when a vote was taken on the famous
“Jackson resolutions,”1 Hon. D. W. Baker of this county, Whig,
voted against all of them from first to last. These resolutions were
passed to furnish an excuse for turning Thomas H. Benton out of his
seat in the United States Senate, and they accomplished their object.
They denied the right of Congress to prohibit slavery in the Terri¬
tories, or in the District of Columbia, and that any organization of the
Territorial governments preventing slaveholders from settling therein
with their property would be inconsistent, unjust, insulting, and calcu¬
lated to bring about strife and disunion. They asserted that the right
to prohibit slavery in any Territory belonged “ exclusively to the
people thereof.” The resolutions closed with the significant declara¬
tion : —

5. That in the event of the passage of any act of Congress conflict¬
ing with the principles herein expressed, Missouri will be found in
hearty co-operation with the slave-holding States, in such measures as
may be deemed necessary for our mutual protection against the en¬
croachments of Northern fanaticism.

The Missouri Senators, one of whom was Benton, were instructed to
act in conformity with the resolutions. As “ Old Bullion ” was
known to be opposed to the spirit if not the letter of the resolutions it
was certain he would not obey the instruction of the Legislature, and
a reason would be presented for refusing to return him to the seat he
had filled for 30 years. He did refuse the instructions, appealed from
the Legislature to the people of Missouri, and stumped the State
against the resolutions, which he declared breathed “ treason and
secession” in every section and were the prelude to civil war. He
hoped the next Legislature chosen would be friendly to him and re¬
turn him to the Senate; but it did not, and Henry S. Geyer, a Whig,
was chosen.

MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS FROM 1844 TO 1852.

The high water in the Missouri river in 1844 was not very destruc¬
tive in the lower part of Montgomery county. One reason for this

1 So called from their being introduced by Hon. C. F. Jackson (afterwards Gov¬
ernor, then Senator from Howard county), though their real author was Hon. W. B.
Napton, of Saline, who with the assistance of Judge Scott, Carty Wells, and George
W. Hough, prepared them.

592

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

was that the bottom was not generally settled and improved at that
time. In the neighborhood of Bluffton, and in many places lower
down, the water rose over the bank and flooded the country, doing
some damage. The flood was at its highest from the 14th to the 20th
of June. It was, so far as this county was concerned, simply an ex¬
traordinary “June rise.” Elsewhere it was far more destructive.

In the Mexican War only four men from Montgomery countv are
known to have taken part. These were A. Y. Davis, Samuel T.
Sharp, Louis Jones and Ewing A. Van Bibber. They belonged to
Capt. Charles Rogers’ Co. H, of the First Missouri Mounted
volunteers, commanded by Col. Alex. W. Doniphan. Rogers’ com¬
pany was nearly all from Callaway county. Col. Doniphan’s regi¬
ment is well known in history. Ewing A. Van Bibber became
regimental commissary sergeant ; all the rest of the Montgomery
county men were privates. Lewis Jones died on the grazing
ground in New Mexico ; the rest returned home in safety, and one of
them, Samuel T. Sharp, is the well known banker of Montgomery
City.

At the Presidential election in 1844 the vote of Montgomery stood :
Clay and Frelinghuysen (Whigs), 359 ; Polk and Dallas (Democrats),
232.

In 1848 the vote was : For Taylor and Fillmore (Whigs), 379 ; for
Cass and Butler (Democrats), 186.

When the California “gold fever” broke out in 1849-50 this
county did not escape. Many people caught it the first year, and set
out at once for the Pacific coast. In 1850 more went. Some returned
“ dead broke,” others came back with their fortunes improved.

The Boone’s Lick road was crowded with the gold seekers, whose
white covered wagons dotted the road constantly during the temperate
months. On one day in May, 1850, Jacob L. Sharp, the county
clerk, counted the emigrant wagons that were going West, and they
numbered from the time he came to his office in the morning, about
seven o’clock, until he left at six in the evening, 142, an average of
one wagon every five minutes during the day.

The California emigration was of much benefit to the farmers living
on the line of the Boone’s Lick road. The gold hunters bought feed
for their teams and supplies for themselves from all who had it to
sell, and paid good prices too. Every store in Danville advertised
“ movers supplies,” and kept them too.

The Presidential election of 1852 resulted : Scott and Graham
(Whigs), 386 ; Pierce and King (Democrats), 265 ; Whig majority,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

593

121. This was the last election when the Whigs, as a party, put forth
a Presidential candidate. The “old-line” Whigs of this county
chiefly entered the Know-Nothing party.

MURDER OF CAROLINE SCHOLTON BY JOHN HUTING - EXECUTION OF THE

. MURDERER.

In June, 1851, occurred another terrible murder in this county,
which eventually resulted in the trial, conviction and execution of the
murderer. In this case the victim was a young German girl, named
Caroline Scholton, and her murderer was a German man, named John
Huting, who had become infatuated with her and shot her, because
she would not marry him. The girl lived with her brother, and
Huting lived in the same house, down on the Missouri river bottom,
in the German settlement.

It is said that Huting had furnished a portion of the passage money
which brought Miss Scholton to America, expecting that she would
marry him, but she laughed at his proposals and would not listen to
his suit. The despised and derided lover determined to kill not only
his sweetheart but himself, and nearly succeeded in both attempts.
He killed Miss Scholton outright, and then wounded himself very
badly.

Although the circuit court records of this county are no longer in
existence, it is fortunate for the purpose of this history that this case
was taken to the Supreme Court, where the particulars were recorded.
In the 51 Missouri Reports it is reported in full. From these records
the following facts have been learned: —

At the September term of the Circuit Court, 1851, John Huting,
the defendant, was indicted for the murder of Caroline Scholton.
The prisoner was brought into court from the custody of the jailor.
The court assigned counsel to assist the prisoner in his defense, and
also appointed an interpreter, who was duly sworn as such in the
cause. The prisoner was then arraigned and pleaded not guilty, and
the trial was continued until the April term following. The illness of
the judge prevented the meeting of the court at the regular term in
1852, and consequently there was no April term of the court.

The trial of this case commenced at the September term, 1852,
and the record shows that it was not completed, owing to the illness
of the judge of the court, that the court discharged the jurors, and
remanded the prisoner, and continued the case.

The case was again called at the April term, 1853, and submitted to
a jury, but the jury failed to agree in their verdict and were by the

594

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

court discharged The prisoner was again remanded, and the case
continued.

At the September term, 1853, the case was called up for trial, and
a part of the jury sworn, and on the fourth day of the term, the
court being unable to complete the jury, those that had been sworn
were discharged, the prisoner remanded to- jail, and the case con¬
tinued.

At the April term, 1854, the case was again called up for trial, the
prisoner, by his counsel, moved the court to discharge him, under the
twenty-fifth section of the sixth article of the act, concerning criminal
proceedings, because the prisoner had not been brought to trial in ac¬
cordance with the provisions of said section. This motion was over¬
ruled, the defendant excepted, and filed a bill of exceptions.

The prisoner was then tried and found guilty of murder in the first
degree ; judgment was rendered on the verdict. The prisoner moved
for a new trial ; also, in arrest of judgment. The motion being over¬
ruled, the case was taken to the Supreme Court, where the judgment
and sentence were affirmed in Julv, 1855.

The Supreme Court refusing to disturb the verdict of the jury
(Judge Ryland delivering the opinion), Huting was hung at Danville
in the early fall afterwards. His gallows stood near where Freeman
had been hung, by the side of the present Montgomery City road, at
the north-east corner of town. Before his execution the condemned
man made a written confession, which was published in pamphlet form
at Troy and circulated throughout the county. If a copy of this
pamphlet is now in existence the writer was unable to find it. The
type was set by Tyler W. Parker, afterwards editor and proprietor of
the Montgomery City Democratic Picket Guard , and now (1884)
foreman of the Montgomerv Standard.

V-/ %/

THE NATIVE AMERICANS.

The Native American or “ Know Nothing ” party deserves particu¬
lar mention, as it once was a political organization very formidable in
its character and largely in the majority in this county and district.
It was formed sometime in the decade of 1830, but did not become
strong or very prominent until the dissolution of the Whig party, in
1853. In 1854 the first lodge was established in this county, and in
1855 lodges were numerous.

The party was a strange one, as it was a secret political order whose
members were oath-bound, and which had its lodges, its signs, grips
and pass-words, and worked secretly to accomplish its openly pro-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

595

fessed objects. It was composed chiefly of old Whigs, although there
were many ex-Democrats in its ranks. The corner-stone of its plat¬
form was the principle that “Americans must rule America,” in
other words, that none but native-born citizens of the United States
and non-Catholics ought to hold office, and it also favored a radical
change in the naturalization laws.

Millard Fillmore and A. J. Donelson were the Know Nothing
candidates for President and Vice-President in 1856, and swept the
county over Buchanan and Breckinridge, the Democratic nominees,
bv the following vote: Fillmore, 603; Buchanan, 365.

MISCELLANEOUS.

During the troubles in Kansas, from 1854 to 1858, a few Mont¬
gomery county pro-slavery men made their way thither to assist that
party in the territorial elections. It is said that while no one especially
distinguished himself, yet every man did his duty, and “ voted early
and often,” and returned to his home in safety and security.

During the Pike’s Peak excitement in 1858-59 only a few Montgomery
men were induced to emigrate to Colorado. The Boone’s Lick road
was again crowded, however, and as it is an ill wind, indeed, that
blows nobody any good, so this Pike’s Peak delusion, while it hum¬
bugged and “ busted ” many a poor fellow, yet made a good market
for many a Montgomery farmer’s corn, hay, bacon, etc.

The John Brown raid and insurrection at Harper’s Ferry, Va., in
October, 1859, greatly excited some men in this county, who declared
that the first gun had been fired in what would prove to be a long and
bloody civil war. At this time a few, and only a few, Republicans
were in the county, two of whom, Mr. Walter J. Lovelace and Dr. W.
B. Adams, were prominent citizens, and were bred and born on
Southern soil. A few of the Germans in the southern part of the
county were also avowed Republicans. Up about Middletown there
was also a small number.

census of 1860.

The aggregate population of Montgomery county in 1860 was 9,718,
as follows: Whiles — males, 4,186; females, 3,875; total, 8,061.
Slaves — males, 805; females, 842; total, 1,647 ; Free colored —
males, 5; females, 5; total, 10. Total, 9,718.

the presidential campaign of 1860.

In very many respects the Presidential campaign of 1860 was the
most remarkable, not only in the history of Montgomery county, but

596

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

of the United States. Its character was affected not only by preced¬
ing, but by succeeding events. Among the former were the excited
and exciting debates in Congress over the repeal of the Missouri Com¬
promise, and the Kansas-Nebraska controversy ; the passage by the
Legislatures of various Northern States of the “ personal liberty
bills,” which rendered inoperative in those States the fugitive slave
law ; the John Brown raid on Harper’s Ferry, Va., in the fall of 1859,
and various inflammatory speeches of prominent leaders of the Repub¬
lican and Democratic parties in the North and in the South.

There was the greatest excitement throughout the country, and
when it was in full tide the Presidential canvass opened. The slavery
question was the all-absorbing one among the people. The Republican
party, while it had not received a single vote in Montgomery county,
had carried a large majority of the Northern States in the canvass of
1856, and every year since had received large accessions to its ranks, and
under the circumstances, there being great dissension in the Democratic
party, prognosticating a split, bade fair to elect its candidates. The
Democratic convention at Charleston, S. C., April 23, after a stormy
and inharmonious session of some days, divided, and the result was
the nomination of two sets of candidates — Stephen A. Douglas and
Herschel V. Johnson for President and Vice-President, by the Regulars,
and John C. Breckinridge and Joseph Lane, by the Southern or State’s
Rights wing of the party.

The “ Constitutional Union ” party, made up of old Whigs, Know
Nothings, and some conservative men of all parties, nominated John
Bell, of Tennessee, and Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, on a plat¬
form composed of a single line — “The union, the constitution aud
the enforcement of the laws.” •

The Republican party was the last to bring out its candidates. It
presented Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, on a platform, de¬
claring, among other things, that each State had the absolute right to
control and manage its own domestic institutions ; denying that the
constitution, of its own force, carried slavery into the territories,
whose normal condition was said to be that of freedom. Epitomized,
the platform meant hostility toward the extension of slavery, uon-in-
terference where it really existed.

It was to be expected that Missouri, being the only border slave
State lying contiguous to the territories of Kansas and Nebraska,
should be deeply concerned in the settlement of the slavery question.
Her people or their ancestors were very largely from Kentucky, Ten¬
nessee, Virginia, and other slave-holding States, and many of them

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

597

owned slaves or were otherwise interested in the preservation of slav¬
ery, to which institution the success of the Republican party, it was
believed, would be destructive. There were many of this class in
Montgomery county. There was not only a selfish motive for the
friendliness toward the “ peculiar institution,” but a sentimental one.
It was thought that it would be unmanly to yield to Northern sentiment
of a threatening shape or coercive character. If slavery was wrong
(which was denied), it must not be assailed at the dictations of North¬
ern Abolitionists.

The canvass in the State was very spirited. The division in the
Democratic party extended into Missouri. The Democratic State
convention nominated Claiborne F. Jackson, of Saline county, for
Governor. The Bell and Everett party nominated at first Robert
Wilson, of Andrew, and on his withdrawal, Hon. Sample Orr, of
Greene county. Judge Orr was selected in the room of Mr. Wilson
by the central committee. Very soon the politicians began a series
of maneuvers designed to develop Jackson’s views on the main
questions before the country, and especially as to which of the two
Democratic Presidential candidates he favored. For a long time the
wily Saline county statesman succeeded in evading the question and
in defining his position ; but at last the Missouri Republican and other
Douglas organs “smoked him out.” He announced in a well-writ-
ten communication that he was for Douglas, because he believed him
to be the regular and fairly chosen nominee of the party ; but at the
same time he announced himself in favor of many of the principles of
the Breckinridge party. He was called by some who disliked him
“ a Douglas man with Breckinridge tendencies,” “a squatter sover¬
eign on an anti-squatter sovereignty platform,” etc.

When Jackson’s letter appeared, soon thereafter the Breckinridge
men called a State convention and put in nomination Hancock Jack-
son, of Howard, for Governor, and Monroe M. Parsons, of Cole, for
Lieutenant-Governor.

Being encouraged by the feuds in the Democratic party, the Bell
and Everett men had high hopes of electing their gubernatorial can¬
didate at the August election, and carrying the State for “ Bell, of
Tennessee,” the ensuing November. To this end they did everything
possible to foment additional discord and widen the breach between
the two wings of their opponents ; but they over-did the business.
The Democrats saw through their tactics, and agreeing to disagree as
to Presidential candidates, practically united in the support of C. F.
Jackson and Thos. C. Reynolds, at the August election, and triumph-

598

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

antly elected them by a plurality of about 10,000. C. F. Jackson,
Douglas Democrat, 74,446 ; Samuel Orr, Bell and Everett, 64,583;
Hancock Jackson, Breckinridge Democrat, 11,415; J. B. Garden-
hire, Republican, 6,135.

In this Congressional district the candidates were John B. Hender¬
son, who had been nominated by the Democrats, and received the
support of both factions of that party, and James S. Rollins, of Boone
county, the nominee of the Bell and Everett party, and who was sup¬
ported by the Union party, the Republicans, and all anti-Democrats.

Henderson and Rollins stumped the district — at least a portion of
it — together, and made a most exciting canvass. The famous Muench
or “ Minch ” letter figured in this contest very conspicuously. It is,
perhaps, worthy of remark that although in 1860, in their race for
Congress, both Rollins and Henderson labored hard to convince the
people that they were strong pro-slavery men, they are now, both of
them, strong Republicans with all that the designation implies. Maj.
Rollins was elected in 1860 by a vote of 11,161 to 10,908 for Henderson ;
and it is an undoubted fact that this was accomplished by the several
hundred Republican voters in the district who voted for the Major.

Nothing daunted by their defeat in August, the Bell and Everett
men in Missouri kept up the fight for their Presidential candidates,

• and came within a few hundred votes of carrying the State for them

in November, the vote standing : —

For the Douglas electors . 58,801

For the Bell electors . - . 58,372

For the Breckinridge electors . 31,317

For the Lincoln electors . 17,028

Douglas’ majority over Bell . 429

Douglas’ majority over Breckinridge . 27,484

It is said that many Democrats voted for Bell because they thought
he was the only candidate that could defeat Lincoln. In the October
election the Republicans had carried Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana,
and Lincoln’s election was almost inevitable. Fusion tickets against
the Republicans had been formed in New York, New Jersey, and other
States, and many thought the Tennessee statesman might be elected

after all.

In Montgomery county the vote stood : —

For the Bell electors ............ 658

For the Douglas electors . . . . 612

For the Breckinridge electors . 83

For the Lincoln electors . 45

Total vote cast, 1,398.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

599

For the first time in its history Republican votes had been given
openly in Montgomery county. It was known that there were a few
Republicans here, but the number was not supposed to exceed 10 or
12, and when 45 men walked up to the polls and announced Abraham
Lincoln as their choice for President, there was great astonishment,
mingled with indignation. The expulsion of this class of voters was
demanded by many, and it is said some of them received written
notices to leave the county at once. At that date the method of
voting was viva voce — that is, by word of mouth — and each voter
was compelled to announce openly for whom he voted.1 Therefore
all the Republicans were known. It is perhaps only the truth to say
that Judge Walter I. Lovelace and Dr. W. B. Adams were the leading
Republicans of the county in 1860. They were in constant cor¬
respondence with Frank Blair, Edward Bates and the other prominent
Republicans of the State.

AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

The news of the election of Lincoln and Hamlin was received by
the people of Montgomery county generally with considerable dissat¬
isfaction ; but, aside from the utterances of some ultra pro-slavery
men, there were general expressions of a willingness to accept and
abide by the result — at least to watch and wait. A number of citi¬
zens avowed themselves unconditional Union men from the first — as
they had every year since 1850, when they met in convention from
time to time, and these were the men who had voted for Bell, and men
who had voted for Douglas, and even men who had voted for Breck¬
inridge. Upon the secession of South Carolina and other Southern
States, however, many changed their view. Indeed, there was nothing
certain about the sentiments of men in those days, but one thing —
they were liable to change ! Secessionists one week became Union
men the next, and vice versa . There was withal a universal hope that
civil war might be averted.

Already the best men of the country feared for the fate of the Re¬
public. Northern fanatics and Southern fire-eaters were striving to
rend it asunder. The former did not want to live in a country ( so
they said) whereof one-half depended for prosperity on the begetting
and bringing up of children for the slave market, and so the constitu¬
tion which permitted slavery was denominated an instrument of

1 The law prescribing the viva voce method was not changed to the present system
of voting until in 1863, and the first voting by ballot was in that year (see Laws of
1863, p. 17; Statutes ©f 1865, p. 61).

600

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

infamy. The fire-eaters of the South were blustering and complain¬
ing that their “rights” had been, or were about to be, trampled
on by the North, and therefore they were for seceding and breaking
up a government which they could not absolutely control.

A majority of the people of the county, it is safe to say, believed
that the interests of Missouri were identical with those of the other
slave-holding States, but they were in favor of waiting for the devel¬
opment of the policy of the new administration before taking any steps
leading to the withdrawal of the State from the Federal Union.
“ Let us wait and see what Lincoln will do,” was the sentiment and
expression of a large number. A respectable minority were in favor
of immediate secession, and so declared publicly.

Very many professed to believe that the election of Mr. Lincoln
would not seriously injure the institution of slavery; that he was not
an Abolitionist, or in favor of negro equality, and the following ex¬
tracts were quoted from his speeches during the memorable series of
debates with Douglas in Uliuois, in 1858: —

We must not interfere with the institution of slavery in the States
where it exists, because the constitution forbids it, and the general
welfare does not require us to do so. We must not withhold an effic¬
ient fugitive slave law because the constitution requires us, as I
understand it, not to withold such a law. * * *

* * * In regard to the fugitive slave law, I have never hesi-

tated to say, and I do not now hesitate to say, that I think, under the
constitution of the United States, the people of the United States are
entitled to a congressional fugitive slave law. Having said that, I
have had nothing to say in regard to the existing fugitive slave law,
further than that I think it should have been framed so as to be free
from some of the objections that pertain to it, without lessening its
efficiency.

* * * I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about

in any way the social and political equality of the white and black
races. I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or
jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to inter¬
marry with white people ; and I will say in addition to this that there
is a physical difference between the white and black races which I be¬
lieve will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of
political equality. And inasmuch as they can not so live, while they
do remain together there must be the position of superior and in¬
ferior, and I, as much as any other man, am in favor of having the
superior position assigned to the white race.1

1 See “The Lincoln and Douglas Debates,” under the heading of “The Discussion
at Alton.”

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

601

THE LEGISLATURE OF 1861.

On the last day of December, 1860, the Twenty-first General Assem¬
bly of Missouri met at Jefferson City. The retiring Governor, “Bob”
M. Stewart, delivered a very conservative message, taking the middle
ground between secession and abolitionism, and pleading strenuously
for peace and moderation. He declared among other things that the
people of Missouri “ ought not to be frightened from their propriety
by the past unfriendly legislation of the North, or dragooned into
secession by the restrictive legislation of the extreme South.” He
concluded with a thrilling appeal for the maintenance of the Union,
depicting the inevitable result of secession, revolution and war.
Many of Gov. Stewart’s predictions were afterward fulfilled with start¬
ling and fearful exactness.

The inaugural of the new Governor, Claiborne Fox Jackson, in¬
dorsed the doctrine of his famous resolutions of 1849 — that the inter¬
ests and destiny of the slave-holding States were the same ; that the
State was in favor of remaining in the Union so long as there was
any hope of maintaining the guarantees of the constitution ; but
that in the event of a failure to reconcile the differences which then
threatened the disruption of the Union, it would be the duty of the
State “to stand by the South,” and that he was utterly opposed to
the doctrine of coercion in any event. Gov. Jackson concluded by
recommending the immediate call of a State convention, in order that
“ the will of the people may be ascertained and effectuated.”

In accordance with the Governor’s recommendation, the Legisla¬
ture, on January 17, passed a bill calling a convention, to be composed
of three times as many members as in the aggregate each senatorial
district was entitled to State Senators — that is, three delegates from
each senatorial district in the State — and appointing February 18, as
the day on which they were to be elected, and February 28, the day
on which the convention should assemble.

Hon. H. C. Wright, of Warren, the Senator from this district, was
absent when the vote was taken in the Senate, but Hon. W. R. Harris,
the county’s Representative, voted for the convention bill, the 10th
section of which contained the following important provision : —

No act, ordinance, or resolution of said convention shall be deemed
to be valid to change or dissolve the political relations of this State
to the Government of the United States, or any other State, until a

602

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

majority of the qualified voters of this State, voting upon the ques¬
tion, shall ratify the same.

The author of this section was the Hon. Charles H. Hardin, then a
Senator from the Boone and Callaway district, and Governor of Mis¬
souri in 1874-76. Thus the secession of the State was made an im¬
possibility without the consent of the majority of the voters. After
a much disturbed and very turbulent session, the Legislature ad¬
journed March 28.

CHAPTER VII.

LEADING EVENTS OF 1861.

Election of Delegates to the State Convention — The Work of the Convention — The
Winter of 1861 — After Eort Sumpter — The First Federal Troops — First Bloodshed
in the County — Atrocious Murder of Maj. Benj. Sharp and Lieut. A. Yager, by Alvin
Cobb’s Men — A Skirmish — Retaliation — Murder of Terrill, Nunnelly [and Bishop by
the Federals — Military Operations — Troops for Gen. Price’s Army — Miscellan¬
eous War Items During the Year 1861 — Murder of McGlatchey, a Union Man, near
Bluffton — The Raids on the Railroads — A Montgomery County Company for
Price’s Army — Mount Zion Fight — Invasion and Occupation of the County by
Federal Troops.

•

ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE STATE CONVENTION.

There was short time for the election of delegates to the State con-
vention. The first senatorial district was composed of the counties of
St. Charles, Warren and Montgomery. As the district was entitled
to three delegates, it was agreed that each county should have one.
The matter was so discussed in the newspapers and there seemed to be
no objections to the plan.

The district was largely in favor of the Union, unconditionally .
Montgomery county was largely that way in sentiment. But there
was a large number of conditional Union men, and many open seces¬
sionists. The latter two elements combined and determined to have
a representation in the State convention.

A joint convention of the district was to be held at Warrenton to
nominate “ Union ” candidates for convention delegates. A meeting
was held at Danville to select delegates to the Warrenton convention.
Both “ unconditional ” and “conditional ” Union men were present in
considerable numbers. The “ unconditionals ” were in the majority
and succeeded in ororanizin£ the meeting. The “ conditionals ” bolted
and organized another meeting, presided over by Frank Skinner, who
appointed delegates to the district convention. The “ unconditi¬
onals,” or “ submissionists,” as the secessionists called them, also
sent a delegation.

When the Warrenton convention met it was presided over by Rev.
James E. Welch, an unconditional Union man, but the secretaries, A.
N. Overall and Dr. Geo. R. Milton, were considered “ conditionals ”
or secessionists. In the Montgomery county case the convention

(603)

604

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

admitted the conditionals or Skinner delegates, and rejected the
regulars, or unconditional Union men with Maj. Benj. Sharp at their
head. Each county named its candidate, who was indorsed by the
convention, as follows: St. Charles presented Robert B. Frayser,
Warren named Joseph G. Waller, and Montgomery (the Skinner dele¬
gates) nominated Dr. Geo. B. Bast.

Among some of the Union men there was dissatisfaction with the
result of the district convention, and two independent candidates —
W. W. Edwards, of St. Charles, and A. T. Franklin — ran as uncon¬
ditional Unionists. But when the election came off they were defeated
and the regular candidates, Messrs. Frayser, Waller and Bast, were
chosen by large majorities.

THE WORK OF THE CONVENTION.

The convention assembled at Jefferson City, February 28, 1861.
Sterling Price, of Chariton county, afterwards the distinguished Con¬
federate general, was chosen president. On the second day it ad¬
journed to meet in St. Louis, where, it re-convened March 4, contin-
ued in session until the 2 2d, when it adjourned to meet on the third
Monday in December, subject, however, to a call of a majority of a
committee of seven. Before adjourning, a series of resolutions was
adopted, two of which were of superior importance, and here proper
to be noted: 1. Containing the explicit declaration that there was
no adequate cause to impel Missouri to dissolve her connection with
the Federal Union. 2. Taking unmistakable ground against the em-
ployment of military force by the Federal government to coerce the
seceding States, or the employment of military force by the seceding
States to assail the government of the United States.

Judge Redd, of Marion, on behalf of himself and Mr. Harrison
Hough, of Mississippi, presented a minority report from the commit¬
tee on resolutions, of which Hamilton R. Gamble was chairman.
But Redd’s report was almost unanimously rejected.

The assertion of the unconditional Unionists that Dr. Bast was
really a secessionist seems to have been well founded. He was the
only member of the convention that voted “no” on the following
resolution : —

1. Resolved , That at present there is no adequate cause to impel
Missouri to dissolve her connection with the Federal Union, but on the
contrary she will labor for such an adjustment of existing troubles as
will secure the peace, as well as the rights and equality, of all the
States.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

605

It was an open secret among the secessionists of the county that
Dr. Bast was in sympathy with them. But when the convention reas¬
sembled July 22, on the call of a majority of a committee appointed
for the purpose, Dr. Bast attended as he did other sessions up to July
1, 1863, and never himself 4 4 seceded ” or took up arms at any time.
He was excused from voting when Claiborne Jackson was deposed from
the governership of the State and Hamilton R. Gamble appointed in
his stead. He and his colleagues, Frayser and Waller, voted 44 no ”
on the 44 Gamble test oath” and he and Mr. Waller 44no” on
the emancipation ordinance adopted by the convention July 1, 1863,
declaring that slavery should not exist in Missouri after July 4, 1870.
He always denied, however, that he was a 44 rebel ” and never admit¬
ted openly that he was a secessionist.

THE WINTER OF 1861.

During the months of January, February, and March, 1861, there
was great interest manifested in public affairs by the people of the
county. The prospect of war was fully discussed, and many prepared
for it. A large portion openly sympathized with the seceded States,
but the majority preferred to take no decided steps to aid either side.
Many declared that Missouri had done nothing to bring on a war, and
would do nothing to help it along should one break out. 44 We are
neither secessionists nor abolitionists,” said they, 44 and we are
neither fanatics nor fire-eaters.”

February 8th a shooting affair came off in Danville, which grew out
of politics. As previously stated men’s sentiments underwent sudden
and radical changes in these days. Mr. Nathaniel Patton, then a
hotel-keeper at New Florence, had been a strong Union man and anti¬
secessionist in December and the first part of January, but saw proper
to change or modify his views as events progressed. Daniel M. Draper
was the editor of the Danville Herald , a strong Union paper, and took
occasion to comment, in what Patton conceived to be disrespectful
and insulting language, on his, Patton’s, change of heart. Patton
attacked Draper on the street in Danville, and proceeded to cowhide
him. Draper was taken somewhat unawares as he was walking from
his dinner, but he drew a pistol and contrived to shoot his assailant in
the leg, and that is why Nat. Patton 44 walks lame ” to this day.

Meantime, and especially in February and March, numerous secret
meetings were held in the county by both Union men and secession¬
ists. Every man’s politics were known (or were thought to be) by
every other man, and invitations were sent out to attend these meet-

606

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ings only to those who were known to be “sound.” Each side knew
that the other side was meeting secretly, and yet there was no. attempt
at interference. Both parties met and were friendly. The policy
seemed to be that of the “ I’ll let you alone, if you’ll let me alone ”
kind.

The secessionists met from time to time, and deliberated. Hon¬
estly believing that the best interests of Missouri would be served if
she should unite her fortunes with those of her sister Southern States,
these men worked zealously and faithfully. They met in secret con¬
clave from time to time. They got ready for any emergency that
might come. They were encouraged by emissaries from Gov. Jackson
and the secession cause in the central portion of the State, who promised
them plenty of arms if the time should come to use them, and plenty
of powder when the time should come to burn it. Very many of this
class of our citizens deprecated civil war, and sincerely hoped that it
might be avoided, but resolved that, if come it did, they would bind
their fate to that of the Southern cause, allied as they were to that
section by ties of kinship, of birthplace, of self-interest, of common¬
alty of sentiment, of sympathy. It may be that no men were ever
more mistaken, but certainly no men were ever more in earnest and
more honest in opinion than were the secessionists of this country in
the winter and spring of 1861.

A few secession flags were hoisted. One at High Hill went up in
the winter when a fair sized meeting adopted secession resolutions
and were addressed by Robert P. Terrill, of Danville. Another
“ lone star” flag was raised at Wellsville, and Grandville Nunnelly
had one for a day or so at his hotel in Danville. At Jonesburg the
secessionists were noisy and demonstrative.

AFTER FORT SUMPTER.

• — *

The firing on Fort Sumpter by the Confederates, April 12, 1861;
the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for 75,000 volunteers ;
Gov. Jackson’s indignant refusal to respond to the requisition on Mis¬
souri ; the excitement throughout the South ; the uprising in the
North — these are incidents in the history of the country, the partic-
ularsof which need not be set forth in these pages.

The reception of this remarkable intelligence caused the most in¬
tense excitement in Montgomery county. Many who had opposed
secession until now changed their views, denounced the administra¬
tion for its policy of coercion, and avowed themselves “ on the side

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

607

of the South.” Only the staunchest Union men had the nerve to
indorse Mr. Lincoln and to oppose Gov. Jackson.

April 22, Gov. Jackson ordered the Legislature to convene in extra
session May 2, “ for the purpose of enacting such laws and adopting
such measures as may be deemed necessary and proper for the more
perfect organization and equipment of the militia of the State and to
raise money enough and such other means as may be required to place
the State in proper attitude for defense.” The Legislature was in
session twelve days. It passed Jackson’s famous military bill on the
reception of the news of the capture of Camp Jackson, but Harris, of
Montgomery, was absent when the vote was taken.

In the middle of June, or even before the first Boonville fight
(which was June 14), a number of secession troops, or companies of
the Missouri State Guard, from Lincoln and Pike, and the northern
and western parts of St. Charles and Warren, passed through this
county on their way to Gen. Price’s or Gov. Jackson’s army, at
Boonville, or in South-western Missouri. These companies were
joined by a few Montgomery county men, and more were preparing
to follow.

Some of the Unionists were preparing for organization, it being evi¬
dent that there was to be fighting here at home and elsewhere, and that
nothing could be accomplished except by organization.

THE FIRST FEDERAL TROOPS.

When it was certain that Missouri would be one of the States
wherein the battles of the Civil War would be fought, the immense
importance of preserving and holding the North Missouri Railroad was
early realized by the authorities of the Federal government. If it
was kept intact, troops could be moved rapidly from one side of the
State to the other, supplies and munitions of war sent, and all of
North Missouri kept under Federal or Union domination. The great
thoroughfare would also be of incalculable service in keeping open
communication with the first line of offense adopted by the Union
commanders — the Missouri river. It was of the utmost impor¬
tance, therefore, that the road should be well guarded from the
actual and threatened assaults of the secessionists, and kept in run¬
ning order continuallv.

<LJ 4/

The authorities of the railroad were all loyal, and the secessionists
regarded it as the great enemy to the Southern cause, to be assailed
whenever practicable, and when troops were passing upon it, to be
attacked vigorously and with deadly intent. Time and again threats

608

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

had been made by the zealous secessionists to destroy the bridges and
track, to prevent the sending in of troops and supplies for the subju¬
gation of the State.

About the 15th of June two companies of Col. B. Gratz Brown’s
regiment of Union Home Guards, under Maj. Shaw, were sent up
from St. Louis to St. Charles and vicinity, for the purpose of guard¬
ing bridges, and to exercise a general superintendence of the country.
A day or so later they were joined by Col. Kallman’s regiment of
Home Guards, and went on an expedition still further up the railroad.
Near Weutzville they arrested John G. Cook and took some guns from
him. At Weutzville they took complete possession of the town,
searched the houses of several of the citizens and took a number of the
citizens prisoners. They also found a secession flag hid away in a hay
loft. The prisoners were all released upon taking the oath, except
the railroad agent, Wm. M. Allen, whom, together with Cook, they
retained and carried off to St. Louis. This is believed to have been
the first invasion of this part of the State by Federal troops.

A large force of secession troops, under Gen. Tom Harris, was
known by the Federal commander in St. Louis to be near Fulton,
Callaway county, threatening an attack on and the capture of Jefferson
City. July 10 Harris had an engagement with a Federal force at Monroe
Station, on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, in the northern
part of Monroe county. This force was cooped up in an academy
building, and though Harris surrounded it with a large force he did

O 7 G O

not attack it, and Federal re-enforcements coming up Harris inconti¬
nently retreated and made his way down into Callaway.

Gen. Lyon, then in command of the Federal forces in Missouri,
being then in the south-west part of the State, Col. Chester Harding,
in command of St. Louis, on July 16, sent seven companies of the
Third regiment of U. S. Reserve Corps (Home Guards), under Col.
John McNeil, and the greater portion of Schuttner’s Fourth Missouri
volunteers (three months’ men), under Lieut. -Col. Hammer, up the
Pacific Railroad to cross the river at Jefferson, march to Fulton and
attack Harris. McNeil, with the seven companies of his regiment,
crossed the river and marched towards Fulton.

At Overton’s run, south of Fulton, Harris prepared an ambuscade
for the Federals. McNeil’s men were marching along when the seces¬
sion troops fired upon them from an excellent position and at short
range ; yet only 15 Federals were wounded — but two mortally. The
secessionists were badly excited, and when the fire was returned, they
turned and fled, panic stricken and in the greatest disorder. Some of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

609

them never halted until they had made a distance of 25 miles. The
. affair came to be known, and is still called, “ The Fulton Races,”
owing to the extraordinary running and racing made by Harris’ men,
nearly all mounted, to secure places of safety from McNeil’s men,
nearly all of whom were on foot ! Men, who afterwards made good
and brave Confederate soldiers, ran like foot racers in this engage¬
ment. McNeil entered Fulton without serious opposition.

In the “Fulton races” there was a company of secession troops
from Montgomery county commanded by Capt. Daniel Bryan, a
merchant of Montgomery City. It, too, became demoralized and fled
in great haste for shelter into the Whetstone hills, in the north-west¬
ern part of this county. Alvin Cobb, another resident of this county,
had a small company in the same fight and retreated with Bryan.

It seems that Col. Hammer did not follow McNeil when the latter
went to Fulton. With 42 mounted men of Co. A, Capt. Jacob
Melter, of Col. Almstedt’s First regiment of United States Reserve
Corps (Home Guards), Hammer crossed the Missouri at Hermann,
landing on Loutre island. Capt. Melter was at the head of the com¬
pany, and an acting lieutenant, August Yager, was present.

Hammer took the Rhineland road up the bottom, riding rapidly.
He did not go to Rhineland, however, but turned off at the Neal or
Cundiff place, and took the Danville road. That night he camped on
Loutre, near where the iron bridge now stands. The next day he
came on to Danville. From Danville he went to New Florence, where
he reported to Harding by telegraph. In his report to Gen. Lyon,
Col. Harding says : —

* * * Hammer telegraphed from Hermann that he concluded

to leave the river there, as transportation was easily procured, and
that he had made arrangements to effect a junction with McNeil. The
next I heard of him he was at New Florence, on the railroad, and
McNeil, with 460 men, was near Fulton, where I then knew he would
meet Harris. You can imagine my anxiety, and afterwards my relief,
when I heard from that brave fellow McNeil, that he had fought and
routed the rebels.

At New Florence Melter’ s company was sent to Montgomery City
on their way to Mexico. Hammer himself returned to St. Louis.
En route from Hermann to Danville, Hammer took one or two horses
from secessionists — one from Joe Cole — and made prisoners of Dr.
D. Y. Bast (who lived on the bottom and who had voted in the State
convention that there were just grounds for the secession of Missouri)
and J. N. Hunter, who lived near the iron bridge across Loutre. At

610

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Hunter’s, also, the Federals ( who were all Germans) took with them a
wagon load of hay, on top of which they tied a fat yearling calf, which
they made Mr. Hunter hold, and indeed it was a singular looking pro¬
cession that marched into Danville.

The Eighth Missouri infantry volunteers, a regiment made up in
St. Louis, and composed chiefly of Americans, or Irish-Americans,
and commanded by Col. Morgan L. Smith, was ordered to co-operate
with McNeil and Hammer in the movement against Tom Harris. It
was to go to Mexico and move from thence upon the secessionists at
Fulton. As this was the first regiment of Federal troops to enter the
county a narrative of its trip to and through the county may be of in¬
terest.

Sunday evening, July 14, four companies of the Second Missouri
volunteers (three months’ men), Col. Henry Boernstein’s regiment,
under Lieut. -Col. Fred. Schaeffer, and two companies, B and C, of
the Eighth Missouri infantry (American Zouaves), left the St. Louis
arsenal under command of Col. Morgan L. Smith, of the Eighth
Missouri, for Mexico and other points on the North Missouri Railroad.
Silently under cover of the night, the boat, the Louisiana, on which
the soldiers embarked, passed by the city. At the mouth of the Mis¬
souri she grounded, detaining them there until the next morning,
when they again proceeded on their way, arriving at St. Charles dur¬
ing the afternoon. Before arriving they had heard of the secession
tendencies of the citizens there, but their reception gave no evidence
that this was the prevailing sentiment ; cheers greeted them upon
their arrival, and ladies appeared upon the balconies, at the windows

and at the doors to wave welcome to them. Similar to this was their

■

greeting for a few miles up the road.

Soon, however, a change appeared that, ere long, became as dark
and fearful as thus far their progsess had been bright and encourag¬
ing. About six miles from St. Charles one of the men was shot from
under the cover of the woods ; fortunately he was but slightly
wounded. It now became evident that the}’' were entering a section
of the State where thev were to be treated as enemies. The man
shot was a member of Co. B, in one of the rear cars, and some
little time elapsed before it became generally known that the shot,
plainly enough heard, was other than the accidental discharge of a
musket. Armed lookouts were now stationed on the tops of the dif¬
ferent cars ; men sat at the open windows, musket in hand, ready to
return the fire of any who might be lying in ambush, and a hand car
was kept in advance to see that the track was clear. In this manner

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

611

the soldiers ran into Wentzville, where they remained long enough to
get supper. Here one of the men was accidentally shot, the wound
afterwards resulting in his death. The town was comparatively de¬
serted, and the majority of those who remained regarded the invaders
more with fear than favor. Rumors were rife that they would be
waylaid along the whole line of the road. It was desirable that they
should that night reach Montgomery City, but it was with reluctance
that the colonel gave the order to advance. It was night when the
soldiers again started, dark and rainy, and as the long train rolled
slowly on behind the hand car, the prospect was forbidding enough.
Nor was it altogether deceptive ; three miles from the village, the
sharp crash of a volley of fire-arms rung out in the night over the pat¬
tering of the rain and the monotonous rumbling of the cars. A
second’s pause, and a line of flashing fire passed from end to end of
the train. The whizzing of the Minie balls was a hurricane. Orders
to cease firing from the cars and to turn out followed, and speedily
about one-half of the battalion were plunging through the woods in
the direction indicated by the firing. No signs could be found of
the enemy, and flanked by the skirmishers the train was backed up
to the city. Three of the soldiers were slightly wounded.

On the following morning, the train was again put in motion. Be¬
fore leaving, reports by passengers on the down train were received,
that the secessionists along the line of country through which the
Federals had to pass were scouring the country, armed and on horse¬
back, gathering in bands to waylay them, the track was to be torn
up, bridges burned, etc. A sharp lookout was consequently kept,
and although the hand-car had now become a forlorn hope, the fear of
foul play prompted its continuance, and there was no scarcity of vol¬
unteers to man it. Quietly the point of attack on the previous even¬
ing was passed, but a little distance beyond a murderous fire was
opened on the hand-car, wounding five out of six of the men who ran
it, one of them mortally. Again the skirmishers, a full half of the
entire force, turned out, and this time daylight aided them with
effect. Through the greater part of the day the skirmishers flanked
the cars. Three other attacks were made during the day, but without
harm to the Federals.

Three-fourths of a mile west of Jonesburg some secession citizens
had concealed themselves, and when the train bearing the soldiers
came up they opened fire upon it. These citizens were Joe Sublett,
John Hubbard, Thos. Williams, Jacob Curtis and John Hunt. The
soldiers returned the fire, but no one was hurt on either side. After-

612

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

wards the members of the firing part}1' were arrested by the Federals,
but on examination the only one convicted of having discharged his
gun was Joe Sublett, who was sent to Alton prison, and died there.

But for the scouts, seen hourly, though mostly at a safe distance,
the country seemed comparatively deserted. Farms had been left in
charge of the women; at Wright City, a small village, but three per¬
sons were seen ; Millville, now Foristell, seemed wholly deserted.

Late in the evening the troops reached Montgomery City, where
their reception was hospitable in the extreme, the Union citizens ap¬
pearing to be decidedly in the majority. In nothing was this illus¬
trated so markedly as in the attendance next morning of the people
upon the funeral of Wm. Pease, a soldier who had been shot the
day before on the hand-car, and who died during the night. He was
the first Federal soldier that died or was buried in the county.

The zouaves turned out in uniform, and they were followed by res¬
idents of the village, including many ladies. At the grave, which
was and is, in the Montgomery City cemetery, after the salute was
fired the soldiers fell back and the ladies passed around the grave,
each in turn throwing upon the coffin lid a bunch of flowers. Miss
Prudence Pegram, daughter of James L. Pegram, an ardent Union¬
ist, was especially noticeable in her ministrations at the funeral of
the dead soldier, who was “ somebody’s darling,” no doubt. She
carefully guarded his tomb, planted flowers upon it, and preserved it
from oblivion and obliteration, and yet sees to it that the grave is
kept green.

Leaving with many mutual expressions of good will, on the same
day they reached Mexico. Near Marti nsburg a culvert was found on
fire, but the soldiers reached it in time to prevent any material delay.
Bevond this, there was no further molestation. After remaining in
Mexico a couple of hours, it was determined to run back a few miles,
to meet the forces under Col. A. Hammer (Schuttner’s regiment).
On the road down the train was again fired on, under cover of the
night, and two soldiers were wounded. Again the troops turned out,
answering with a volley. Below Martinsburg they joined forces with
Hammer’s command, camped out on the prairie, and next morning
returned to Mexico.

FIRST BLOODSHED IN THE COUNTY - ATROCIOUS MURDER OF MAJ. BEN

SHARP AND LIEUT. A. YAGER BY ALVIN COBB’S MEN.

July 18, 1861, the next day after the “Fulton races,” the people
of Montgomery county were greatly shocked to learn that Maj. Benj.
Sharp, a prominent resident of Danville, and Lieut. A. Yager (or

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

613

Jager), a Federal officer, had been murdered near Marti nsburg by a
band of secession bushwhackers, under Alvin Cobb.

Ben Sharp was a native Virginian, born in Lee county, in 1820.
He was educated at the Virginia Military Institute, at Lexington, and
possessed a fine scholastic, classical and military education. He had
lived at Danville for some years. When the war broke out he was
an ardent Unionist, and in favor of coercing the Southern States back
to their allegiance, and at once sought a position where he could be
most useful. He went to St. Louis, saw Gen. Lyon and tried to get
authority from him to raise a regiment in North Missouri for the
Federal service.

At last he received authority from Chester Harding to recruit a
battalion or regiment with the promise of a commission as colonel so
soon as the battalion or regiment was full. With a, paper to this
effect in his pocket he started home, and accompanied the Eighth Mis¬
souri battalion and Schaeffer’s men on the train from St. Charles to
Montgomery City. Here he stopped and attended the funeral of Billy
Pease, the zouave, who was shot from the hand-car. He confided to
a few intimate friends that he was on his way to Mexico, where under
the protection of Smith’s command, he would make a speech and
begin the raising of a regiment composed of loyal Audrain, Callaway
and Montgomery county men.

When Melter’s company, of Hammer’s command, came to Mont¬
gomery City, Lieut. Yager1 was sick and went on the train to Wells-
ville. Melter’s company procured the services of a Mr. Taylor to
guide them.

At Wellsville Ben Sharp, who had become acquainted with Yager,
agreed to accompany him to Mexico. The two borrowed a buggy
from A. Kempinski, a Unionist, and, hitching up Yager’s horse,
started by the dirt road for Mexico. They left word for Hammer’s
men (Melter’s company) to follow them, watching the tracks of the
buggy wheels for the proper course.

West of Wellsville, where the Mexico road turned to the north, the
old road had been fenced up, and the new road turned about the fence
and was somewhat obscure. Here Sharp and Yager, instead of turn¬
ing north, either did not see the road or did not understand it, and
kept on to the westward, pursuing the road leading from Wellsville to
Williamsburg, in Callaway county, by way of Broadwater’s mill, on
Whetstone creek.

Capt. Daniel Bryan and his company of Montgomery county seces-

1 The Adjutant-General’s report gives his name as A. Pages.

614

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

sionists were lying in the woods among the Whetstone hills, cooling
off after the “ Fulton races.” It is said that they saw Sharp and
Yager, but refused to either fire upon them or attempt to take them
prisoners, Capt. Brvan repressing every effort to do either. Some
place near here the two Unionists met Hon. Morgan White, of Calla¬
way, who informed them that they were on the wrong road, and
directed them how they could turn back and enter the Mexico road at
Marti nsburg. Accordingly they circled about toward the north-east
and started for Martinsburg, which they would enter from the
west.

When Alvin Cobb heard that Bryan would not fire on Sharp and
Yager, he said to a squad of men under his control — if not under his
command that he would fix them. Alvin Cobb was a desperate fellow,
and some six or eight men, as desperate as he, sprang upon their horses
and followed. In some way Cobb learned that Sharp and Yager were
going into Martinsburg from the west, and striking across the coun-
try, which he well knew, he resolved to intercept them and “ bush¬
whack ” them. He knew Sharp well. At a point half a mile west of
Martinsburg, and on the east side of James Martin’s farm, just where
his outside fence came up to the road, there was a slough making oft’
to the south. Here also wTere some bushes. In this slough and among
these bushes Alvin Cobb, Frank Cobb and about six more men con¬
cealed themselves, shotguns and revolvers ready, crouching for their
prey.

They had not long to wait. Leisurely driving along, for it was a
hot day, Sharp and Yager soon put in an appearance, chatting pleas¬
antly and familiarly, unconscious of their imminent peril and the ter¬
rible fate awaiting them. They had passed Martin’s house, and the
village of Martinsburg was in sight. Now thev were at the ambush.

“Fire! ” roared Cobb, and with his left arm bearing his bridle-rein
caught in his “ hook,” wrth his right he fired his revolver fairly at
Ben Sharp. Two or three double-barreled shotguns and as many re¬
volvers poured in a volley, sudden as a flash of lightning and terrible
as the thunderbolt that follows ! One revolver bullet and a full load
of buckshot entered Sharp’s body; one load of buckshot shattered
Yager’s arm and tore it nearly off so that it hung by a shred of flesh
and clothing. The buggy was riddled with bullets and buckshot.

Neither Sharp nor Yager were killed outright. The horse attached
to the buggy, a spirited animal, wras badly frightened and sprang for¬
ward, unrestrained, in a dead run. Cobb and his men started in pur-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

615

suit, yelling and firing. Half the distance to town Yager, who had
sunk down limp and helpless, with half his body hanging over the
side of the buggy, tumbled out into the road. The bushwhackers
passed him and kept straight on after Sharp. The frantic horse,
which Sharp in his wounded condition was unable to control, entered
Martinsburg at full speed. It dashed the buggy against the corner of
the railroad cattle pen, throwing Sharp out and shivering the ve¬
hicle to atoms. Then it sprang off and was not caught until the
next day.

The bushwhackers stopped and took up Sharp’s body and put it on
a horse, and some say tied the legs under the animal’s belly. Some
ladies saw Yager fall, and running out they helped him up and bore
him, all dusty and bloody as he was, into the house of Mrs. John
Coyle, and began ministering to him as best they could. They sought
first to stop the flow of blood, and as the arm was so shockingly
mangled and dangling by a mere shred of flesh and cloth, Mrs. Coyle
nerved herself to the extent that she offered to cut it off with a large
pair of shears. The wounded officer consented, and the operation
was about to be performed by the heroic lady when Cobb and some of

his men rode up, and, entering the house, inquired for “ that d - d

Dutchman,” and rudely and brutally tore him from the ladies’ arms
and put him upon a horse and bore him away. It was all he could do
to sit on his horse, and a bushwhacker rode beside him and kept him
from falling.

In 1864 E. R. Brown, then a Confederate soldier, and recently
county collector, and always a reputable, reliable gentleman, met
Alvin Cobb in the Indian Territory. Asked to give the particulars of
^iis disposition of Sharp and Yager, Cobb stated that he put them on
horses, bore them north of Martinsburg some distance into Audrain
county, and then he and his men dismounted and helped the prisoners
to the ground. Cobb said he now told them they must die, and asked
them if they wished to pray. Yager made no answer, but Sharp
kneeled down and prayed God to bless and protect his wife and chil¬
dren, to forgive his sins, and to grant that the armies of the Union
might be successful, and the Union itself preserved to his posterity
forever. Ben Sharp died as he had lived, brave as a lion, devoted to
the Union cause, and kneeling and praying to God alone. J The prayer
finished, Cobb says both men were shot kneeling ; then they were
taken off and buried.

When the news that Ben Sharp and Lieut. Yager had|been killed
reached Montgomery county a fierce cry of indignation wentjup from

616

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the Unionists, and a thrill of horror ran through the entire county.
Search was at once begun for their bodies, for it was well known that
they must be dead. The soldiers came down from Mexico and joined
with the citizens in scouring the woods and prairies. But some of the
citizens of secession proclivities were afraid the soldiers would kill
them if they had good opportunity, and so would not hunt in the
woods with them. Then the soldiers were withdrawn. Jamej L.
Pegram, Judge Fulkerson, Judge Harris, Dr. Brown, James Martin
and his sons were out night and day.

The citizens thought the men had been taken off north into Audrain,
and then the party had gone west and then turned south into Mont¬
gomery country, through the settlement on Loutre, formerly called
“ Cobbtown,” where the Cobbs lived. A trail was found and' some
blood. Col. Fulkerson asked Frank Cobb’s wife where her husband
was. She said that the day of the shooting he started off south, and
the next day he came in from the north, stopped and gave her his coat
to mend and went on south. In the pocket of her husband’s coat she
found some of Sharp’s papers, one of which her husband told her was
Sharp’s commission, and cautioned her not to lose it as it was valuable.
This was probably merely Sharp’s authority from Harding to raise a
regiment. By some persons unknown some papers of Col. Sharp’s
were afterward sent his widow in an envelope post-marked Columbia.

At last the bodies were found, far up in Audrain county, east of
Mexico. Where a “ draw ” in a prairie terminated in a slough or
gully there was a water-fall, and under the shelving bank over which
the water poured when it rained, there was a bench or shelf made by
the action of the water. Into this receptacle the bodies of Sharp and
Yager had been thrust, all gory and ghastly and mangled. Sharp \s
duster had been wrapped about his face, and Yager’s hat pulled down
over his head. A farmer found them, attracted by the smell. It was
twelve days after they were shot, and they were badly decomposed
and in a shocking condition.

The farmer contrived to haul the bodies to Martinsburg and put
them in the depot. Coffins were procured in Montgomery City, and
James L. Pegram went up and put the bodies in. The body of Lieut.
Yager was sent to St. Louis to his wife, who had telegraphed for it.
The remains of Col. Sharp were taken first to Montgomery, and from
thence escorted to Danville by Capt. McNulta’s company of the First
Illinois cavalry, who buried the body with the honors of war in the
cemetery a mile west of Danville. Not long afterwards the Masonic

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

617

lodge at Danville, to which Col. Sharp belonged, erected over his
grave a fine monument, which is still standing.1

A few days after the murder of Sharp and Yager, Col. Morgan L.
Smith arrested John Coyle and his wife, at whose house in Martins-
burg the body of Lieut. Yager had been taken, and conveyed them on
the cars to Wellsville. Poor Mrs. Coyle, who had done what she
could for the wounded lieutenant, stifling and suppressing the natural
feminine instincts of fear, and following those of her gentle and sym¬
pathizing nature, was arrested without explanation. She was badly
frightened, and could not imagine why she was treated so. She feared
some vengeance was to be taken on her and her husband because she
had taken Lieut. Yager to her house, even though she had striven to
save his life. But at Wellsville Col. Smith examined her and her
husband separately, and then she learned that what the Federal officer
wanted was to find out if she knew who the murderers of Sharp and
Yager were. Mrs. Coyle is now a widow, and resides in Mexico.

Melter’s company followed up the railroad to Wellsville, and there
took the road on which Sharp and Yager were gone, following the
buggy tracks. They were a mile or more in the rear. Over in the
Whetstone country they came upon Bryan’s company and other fugi¬
tives from the Fulton fight. In a small valley a brief skirmish re¬
sulted. The secessionists made a demonstration from the brush, and
there was an interchange of shots, when both parties retreated.
The Federals had one man wounded, and lost three horses.
The secessionists had a man seriously wounded, another slightly
hurt, one horse killed and two others lost, which were after¬
wards recovered, as were the horses of the Federals. Both parties
were badly frightened. The “ rebels ” retreated into the Whetstone
hills, and the German Federals scampered back to Wellsville.

From Wellsville the Germans marched up toward Mexico, and were
met in the prairie below Martins burg by the zouaves of Morgan L.
Smith’s command. July 21st Melter’s company returned to St. Louis.
(See Adj. Gen. Rep. for 1863, p. 72 ; do., 1865, p. 68).

MURDER OF TERRILL, NUNNELLY AND BISHOP BY THE FEDERALS.

The murder of Sharp and Yager by the secession partisans of Alvin
Cobb roused the soldiers in this quarter, or at least the Germans
among them. The Union citizens of the county were greatly indig-

1 Col. Sharp’s widow died in October, 1884, and was buried at Montgomery City,
and the writer is informed that it is contemplated to remove the remains of Col. Sharp
from Danville and place them beside hers.

618

HrSTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

nant and called for retaliation. Nearly everybody denounced the act
in unmeasured terms. It was reported that Granville Nunnelly, a
hotel proprietor in Danville, had said that, “ as for the Dutchman he
ought to have been killed, and as for Ben Sharp, if he had stayed at
home and minded his own business he wouldn’t have been hurt.”
Mr. Nunnelly was an ardent secessionist, though he had never taken
up arms.

Col. Morgan L. Smith moved his command down from Mexico to
Montgomery City. Here he halted, and one night ordered a captain
of the zouaves to take his company and go over to Danville and make
prisoners of Robert P. Terrill and Granville Nunnelly, and some
young men who had been in the Fulton fight. This officer is remem¬
bered to have been Capt. Dennis T. Kirby, an ex-police officer of St.
Louis, who afterwards became lieutenant-colonel of his regiment.

Late at night the company marched on foot, with Esq. David
Bruner, of Montgomery City, as guide. The road from Montgomery
to Danville then was not the one now in use. The old road went
more in a southerly direction and intersected the Boone’s Lick road,
a mile or so east of Danville. The company reached Danville after
a somewhat toilsome tramp, which Capt. Kirby considered an un¬
necessary long one, and once warned Esq. Bruner that if he was
guiding them out of their way he “had better not.”

A negro pointed out where Robert P. Terrill lived, and that gentle¬
man was taken from his bed and hurried into the street. Granville
Nunnelly was arrested, and as he was somewhat fleshy and not well
able to walk he was allowed to ride in his carriage, and Terrill was
permitted to ride with him. Duncan Hughes and two or three other
young men were taken along. Hughes had been in the Fulton fight.
Capt. Kirby now started back to Montgomery. A mile from town he
released one or two of his prisoners.

Just before daylight, July 22, in the edge of the prairie, south of
Montgomery City, and a mile and quarter from the town, Capt. Kirby
halted the command. Terrill and Nunnelly were made to get out of
the buggy, and with Duncan, Hughes and John Winters, another
young man who had been “ out in the rebellion,” were ordered to
march eight paces to the front, the party being on the prairie at the
side of the road. Some of the soldiers were iu the road.

“ Take off your coats,” demanded Capt. Kirby.

“Captain, can I speak with you a momemt?” asked Mr. Nun¬
nelly.

“No,” surlily answered the captain, “ the time for talking has

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

619

passed. You have only a minute to live! Go out there and kneel
down.”

The four men obeyed. A file of soldiers with their muskets and
bayonets were in front of them.

“Ready — aim — fire /” called out the captain. At the word
“ fire,” Terrill and Nunnelly fell back and were dead in a few seconds.
At the word “aim,” Hughes and his companion sprang away into
the murky dawn, determined to escape if it were possible. Fortun¬
ately they succeeded and both are alive at this day. But they did
not escape unscathed. Duncan Hughes received a fearful wound
from a minie ball in his shoulder, and fifty shots were fired at the
fugitives.

H ughes made his way to the timber and ran south-east a mile
or more to the residence of Robert Nelson, where he made his ap¬
pearance covered with blood and greatly agitated. Nelson refused
him shelter, fearing the vengeance of the Federals, and Hughes was
compelled to go on to his friends at Danville.

When the sun rose he shone upon two ghastly, bloody corpses lying
out upon the green sward there by Montgomery town. The war had
begun, and Montgomery county was already feeling its effects. Two
of its prominent citizens had been slain in retaliation for another
murder with which they had no sort of participation or connection,
and which they would doubtless have prevented if they could. Cer¬
tain Union citizens of Danville came and hauled away the bodies, and
they were given careful sepulture.

Robert P. Terrill was a lawyer of Danville, and a man of more than
ordinary ability. He was a secessionist almost from the beginning,
and had made secession speeches in different parts of the county, and
it was said had been in the Fulton fight with other Montgomery men.
He was of high character and generally respected. His widow is now
the accomplished wife of Col. L. A. Thompson, who was a gallant
Union officer, and the present editor of The Ray newspaper, the
organ of the Republicans of the county. Granville Nunnelly was a
man of middle age, and left a considerable family.

MURDER OF GRANVILLE BISHOP.

But the vengeance of the Federals did not stop with the killing of
Terrill and Nunnelly. It sought and found another victim. Gran¬
ville Bishop, who lived five miles west of Montgomery City, just
across Loutre, was a secessionist. He came into Montgomery and
got intoxicated, and when in that condition gave utterance to some

620

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

expressions that offended the Unionists. He and Dominic Byron, a
Union man, had a fight and Bishop was badly worsted. He started
home, but stopped about three miles from town, and that night some
of the zouaves followed him and took him out on the prairie and
killed him.

The soldiers laved to catch Alvin Cobb, but he continued to keep
out of their way. They were forced to content themselves with
burning his house, and with uttering terrible threats against him. In

O 7 O O

some respects Alvin Cobb was a remarkable character. His relatives
were old settlers in the western part of the county, where he lived.
He was a man of about middle age when the war began. He had but
one arm, the other having been shot off accidentally. Upon the out¬
break of the war he raised a band of desperate fellows like himself,
and from the start pursued a guerrilla warfare. It is not believed that
he ever held a commission. He was in many small fights in skir¬
mishes in this part of the State — Mt. Zion, Fulton, Moore’s Mill,
and in one or two others in 1862 with Col. Joe Porter. His wife
joined him when he was in the Indian Territory, and also abandoned
him there and returned home, riding an Indian pon}r all the way.
Cobb himself is now in California.

For a one-armed man Alvin Cobb did the Federal cause considera¬
ble injury. He roamed about in this and Callaway county, killing
now and then a Federal soldier or a Union man, and caused a force of
troops to be kept in the two counties for a year or two. He had from
six to 100 men at different times.

MILITARY OPERATIONS.

About the 15th of July, 1861, Gen. John C. Fremont was appointed
to the command of the Federal forces in Missouri. He was then in
New York City. The news of the firing on Morgan L. Smith’s troops
and of the assaults of the secessionists on the railroad, which had
caused a suspension of trains, was borne to him at once, and on the
18th he sent the following dispatch to Washington : —

Astor House, New York, July 18, 1861.

Col. Townsend , Assistant Adjutant- General : — North Missouri
Railroad torn up and obstructed by State forces. Mails can not be
transported. Track torn up behind the United States troops. Some
fighting between these and State forces. I have ordered Gen. Pope
to take command in North Missouri with three regiments from Alton.
He moved this morning. Gen. Lyon calls for re-enforcement.

J. C. Fremont,
Major-General, Commanding.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

621

Gen. Pope at once repaired to his field and was at St. Louis the
evening of the 18th, at St. Charles on the 19th, and on the 20th
issued the following proclamation or “notice” to the people along
the line of the North Missouri : —

NOTICE.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH AMERICA, ST. CHARLES,

JULY 21, 1861.

An investigation of the circumstances attending the difficulties
along the line of the North Missouri Railroad, and the wanton destruc¬
tion of bridges, culverts, etc., make it manifest that the inhabitants
of the villages and stations along the road, if not privy to these out¬
rages, at least offered no resistance to them, and gave no information
by which they could have been prevented, or merited punishment
inflicted upon the criminals.

I desire the people of this section of the State to understand distinctly
that their safety and the security of their property will depend upon
themselves, and are directly and inseparably connected with the secur¬
ity of the lines of public communication.

It is very certain that the people living along the line of the
North Missouri Railroad can very easily protect it from destruction,
and it is my purpose to give them strong inducements to do so. I
therefore notify the inhabitants of the towns, villages, and stations
along the line of this road that they will be held accountable for the
destruction of any bridges, culverts or portions of the railroad track
within five miles on each side of them. If any outrages of this kind
are committed within the distance specified, without conclusive proof
of active resistance on the part of the population, and without imme¬
diate information to the nearest commanding officer, giving names
and details, the settlement will be held responsible, and a levy of
money or property sufficient to cover the whole damage done, will be
at once made and collected.

There seems to be no method of enlisting the active agency of the
citizens along the line of this road for the protection of a public work
in all respects so beneficial to them, except my making it their very
evident personal interest to do so, and I desire them to understand
that they will be compelled to pay in full, of property or money, for
any damage done in their vicinity. It has been impossible heretofore
even to ascertain the names of the criminals engaged in this kind of
work, although they were well known to every body in the neighbor¬
hood. If people who claim to be good citizens choose to indulge their
neighbors and acquaintances in committing these wanton acts, and to
shield them from punishment, they will hereafter be compelled to pay
for it ; or, if they disapprove, their objections must take more tangi¬
ble form than mere words. It is not to be expected that the General
Government will occupy a large force merely to protect from the peo¬
ple of this part of the State a work built for their own benefit, or to

622

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

defend from outrages and hostility communities which encourage vio¬
lation of all law by giving no imformation and by offering no sort of
resistance. I therefore expect all law-abiding citizens at once to take
measures to secure the safety of the North Missouri Railroad in their
vicinity, and I notifiy all others that upon the safety of the road
depends the security of their own property and person.

To carry out the intentions set forth above, divisions and subdivi¬
sions of the road will be made as soon as practicable from these headquar¬
ters, and superintendents and assistant superintendents appointed by
name, without regard to political opinions, who will be held responsible
for the safety of the railroad track within their specified limits. They
will have authority to call on all persons living within these limits to
appear in such numbers and at such times and places as they may deem
necessary to secure the object in view. I expect all good citizens who
value peace and the safety of their families and property to respond
cheerfully to this arrangement, and to assume to themselves the care
and protection of their own section.

Jno. Pope,

Brig. -Gen. U. S. Army, Commanding North Missouri.

Eight days later Pope issued the following order, appointing the
military superintendents of the road, as follows: —

Orders ) Headquarters District of North Missouri, )
No. 1. 5 Mexico, July 29, 1861. $

I. By virtue of instructions received from Maj.-Gen. Fremont,
U. S. Army, the undersigned assumes the command of all the forces
in North Missouri.

II. Brig. -Gen. S. A. Hurlbut is assigned to the command of the
forces along the line of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, from
Quincy and Hannibal to St. Joseph. Headquarters at Macon City.

III. Col. U. S. Grant, Twenty-first Illinois volunteers, is assigned
to the command at Mexico, Mo.

IY. Col. L. F. Ross, Seventeenth Illinois volunteers, will occupy
Warrenton, Mo., with his regiment.

■J/ ^ 'i' 'A' sV

A *r A A A * A A A A *

The jurisdiction of the commanding officer at Warrenton, will ex
tend as far north as Montgomery City, and as far south as the line of
St. Charles county, near Millville ; of the commanding officer at Mex¬
ico ; from Montgomery City on south to include Centralia on the
north.

* * * * * * * *

VI. All illegal assemblages will be promptly broken up by com¬
manding officers nearest the place where they may be held, and all
persons taken in arms against the United States will be immediately
sent forward to Mexico, to be disposed of by the general commanding.

VII. Each commanding officer will send out such patrols and
scouting parties as may be necessary to keep him informed of all

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

623

matters pertaining to his jurisdiction, and will be vigilant and prompt
in suppressing all combinations against the authority of the United
States or the peace of the country.

No arrests will be made for opinion’s sake, unless the parties are
engaged in open acts of hostility, or are stimulating others to such
acts by inflammatory words or publications.

It is the mission of the forces under my command in North Mis¬
souri to restore peace and safety to a region distracted with civil com¬
motion, and to bring to punishment the infamous assassins and incen¬
diaries who have been infesting the country.

All the forces in North Missouri, therefore, are cautioned against
excesses of any kind, and especially against any depredations upon
the persons or property of any citizen of Missouri.

Discipline and good order are essential to the efficiency and good
repute of any military force, and they will be exacted from the forces
under my command with all the power vested in me. The honor and
reputation of their States depend upon the good conduct of the troops
they have sent into the field, and I expect all commanding officers to
notice, with the greatest severity possible under the articles of war,
all infractions of military discipline and of good order.

John Pope,

Brigadier General Commanding.

Two days later Gen. Pope issued the following, which came to be
well known as “ General Orders No. 3.” Copies of this order were
printed and scattered up and down the railroad from St. Charles to
Macon, and in the county, on both sides : —

pope’s ‘ 4 GENERAL ORDERS NO. 3.”

Headquarters District of North Missouri, ;

Mexico, July 31, 1861. 3

The commanding general in North Missouri, being about to as¬
semble in one camp, away from the railroadlines, all of the forces under
his command, has determined to commit to the people of North Mis¬
souri the peace and quietude of their own section, and with these the
safety of their property. Certainly the people of the various counties
have to-day the same machinery of government and the same power
of self-protection against lawless marauders as they had a year
ago, and it only needs the same active agency and the same com¬
mon interests to bring together for such purposes all those who
have anything at stake. It is demonstrated by sufficient testimony,
and by experience of the past two weeks, that the disturbances in
Northern Missouri have been by small parties of lawless marauders,
which at any other time could have been easily suppressed with
no more than the usual exertions of the people against breaches of
peace in times past.

Certainly quiet and order are of all things desirable in civilized
communities, and should form a common bond of union between citi-

624

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

zens of every shade of political opinion. When these desirable
results are secured, there will no longer be a necessity for the pres¬
ence of armed forces in North Missouri. It is therefore the purpose
of the general commanding in this region of the country, before re¬
moving the military forces under his command from their present
stations, to visit with a considerable force every county seat and
considerable town in North Missouri, and in each to appoint a com¬
mittee of public safety, of persons selected from those of all parties
who have social, domestic and pecuniary interests at stake. Each
committee shall consist of not more than five persons, and wherever
it can considerately be done, the proper county officers shall be se¬
lected as members. No one thus appointed shall be permitted to
decline, or shall fail to perform his duties, under such penalties as the
commanding general shall affix. These committees shall be charged
with the duty of maintaining peace and order in their respective
counties, and shall have power to call out all citizens of the county to
assemble at such times and places, and in such numbers as may b’e
necessary to secure these objects. Any one who shall refuse to obey
such call will be turned over to the military authorities.1

If the people of the counties respectively are not willing or able to
enforce the peace among themselves, and to prevent the organizing
of companies to make war upon the United States, the military force
will perform the service, but the expenses must be paid by the
county in which such service is necessar}^. To secure their prompt
payment, a levy of a sufficient amount of money will be at once
made and collected by the officer in command. Upon the call of a
majority of the committee of public safety in each county,, troops
will be sent to keep the peace, but as such expeditions are for the
benefit of the people concerned, who have in nearly every case the
power to discharge the service themselves, the troops thus sent will
be quartered upon them, and subsisted and transported by the county
in the manner above specified for the whole period it may be neces¬
sary for them to remain.

If in consequence of disturbance not reported by committee, the
general commanding finds it necessary to send a force into the county
to restore order, they will be in like manner billeted upon the county,
unless the combinations against the peace were too powerful to be
resisted, or the parties engaged were organized in other counties, and
brought on the disturbances by actual invasion. It is not believed
that the first case can arise in any county of North Missouri, and, in

1 In a subsequent order, appendatory to the foregoing, Gen. Pope said to his sub¬
ordinates, in regard to the appointing of committees: “In selecting members
for the committee of public safety you are directed to appoint, be sure to put upon
it at least two, or, even better still, three of the most prominent secessionists. It
is the service of the secessionists I especially require, and I desire that you will
give them plainly to understand that unless peace is preserved, their property will be
immediately levied upon, and their contributions collected at once in any kind of
property at hand.”

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

625

the second, the forces will be marched into the county or counties
where the marauding parties were organized, or whence they made
the invasion, and will in like manner be quartered upon them. Where
peace and good order are preserved, the troops will not be required ;
where they are disturbed they will be restored at the expense of the
county. To preserve the peace is the duty of all good citizens, and as
all will suffer alike from the breach of it, men of every shade of
political opinion can act cordially together in the discharge of a duty
as full of interest to one as to another. By performing this simple
service as in times past, and which it is certainly as much their inter¬
est and their duty to discharge to-day, the people of this section of
the country will be spared the anxiety, uneasiness and apprehension
which necessarily attend the presence of armed forces in their midst,
and will again enjoy that security of person and property which has
hitherto been their privilege.

All persons who have heretofore been led away to take up arms
against the United States are notified that by returning and laying
down their arms at the nearest military post, and by performing their
duty hereafter as peaceful and law-abiding citizens, they will not be
molested by the military forces, nor, so far as the general command¬
ing can influence the matter, will they be subjected to punishment
unless they have committed murder or some other aggravated of¬
fense. By order of John Pope,

Speed Butler, Brigadier-General.

Assistant Adjutant General.

These orders were at first directed against the people along the line
of the North Missouri Railroad, running from St. Louis to Hudson or
Macon City, but they were subsequently made to apply to the Hanni¬
bal and St. Joseph district by a supplementary order from Gen.
Pope.

To carry out the provisions of “ General Orders No. 3,” Gen. Pope
issued the following order at Mexico for the movement of certain de¬
tachments of his troops into this region : —

Orders, ) Headquarters District of North Missouri, )
No. 3. ) Mexico, August 2, 1861. £

In accordance with special (general) orders, No. 3, of July 31,
1861, the following movements of troops will immediately be
made : —

* * * * . * * * * * * * * *

Captain McNulta, with one company of cavalry, upon Bowling-
Green and Danville, and Captain Peck, Twenty-first Illinois volun¬
teers, upon Troy and Warrenton.

******* ******

The commanding officers, respectively, will carefully examine the
instructions contained in special (general) orders, No. 3, herewith

626

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

inclosed, which they will distribute at the various settlements along
the march.

They will assemble at each county seat here specified the most
respectable citizens of the town and neighborhood, and will read and
carefully explain to them the provisions and requirements of the
special order.

They will then select from the number at least five of the most
%/

responsible persons, taken from all political parties, and appoint them
a committee of public safety, charged with preserving the peace in
their respective counties.

When it can be done consistently with the special order, the existent
county officers, or such number of them as may be judicious, will be
placed upon these committees. The names of the members of the
committee thus selected will be announced to the people by the com¬
manding officers, both at the court-house and on the return march to
this place.

All citizens will be warned that the troops stand ready to enforce
promptly and vigorously every provision of general orders, No. 3,
and will be expected, for their safety and good name, and for the peace
of their counties, to preserve quiet among themselves.

At the termination of these services the troops will rejoin their
original posts, except Capt. McNulta, who will repair to this place
with his company by the most direct route from Bowling Green.

Speed Butler,
Assistant Adjutaut General.

Capt. McNulta’s company of the First Illinois cavalry came to
Montgomery City first, and escorted the remains of Col. Sharp to
Danville.1 The men were dressed in red shirts as a part of their
uniform, and were seemingly gallant fellows. Less than two months
later they were taken prisoners under Mulligan, at Lexington, and
paroled not to serve again during the war.

McNulta’s company left Montgomery City August 5, as witness the
following communication from Gen. Pope: —

Headquarters District North Missouri, >

Mexico, August 4, 1861. )

Capt. John C. Kelton: I have the honor to report, for the informa¬
tion of the general commanding the department, that by a simultan¬
eous movement I shall to-night or to-morrow morning occupy in force
the county seats of the nineteen counties lying east of the North
Missouri Railroad and its proposed continuation north to the Iowa
line.

1 If they came August 3, Col. Sharp’s body could not have been found for fourteen
days after the murder, but it is the general statement that only eleven or twelve days
elapsed.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

627

Capt. McNulta, with 100 cavalry, upon Bowling Green, the county
seat of Pike county, from Montgomery City, on the line of North
Missouri road. Capt. Peck, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers, with
300 infantry, from Warrenton, on this road, marched yesterday, and
occupies to-day Troy, the county seat of Lincoln. Five companies
of infantry, under Maj. Goddard, occupy Fulton, the county seat
of Callaway county.

* * * *" *********

I am, captain, respectfully your obedient servant,

Jno. Pope,

Brig. -Gen., Commanding North Missouri.

TROOPS FOR GEN. PRICE’S ARMY.

In the latter part of August Gen. Price broke up his camp at Spring-
field and moved northward toward Lexington, on the Missouri river,
his main object being to secure to himself the large forces of State
Guards known to be in North Missouri. When at the Osage river he
sent forward a special messenger to Gen. Tom Harris, the commander
of the State Guards for this district. Green’s command at once pre¬
pared to set out to join the advancing army, from which so much was
expected. Word was sent to all the other commands, companies, bat¬
talions and platoons in this part of the State to repair at once to the
Missouri river, at either Glasgow, Brunswick or Arrow Rock, and
cross to the south side.

The secessionists in this county repaired to the Western part of
the county and into Callaway to join companies making up there.
About 25 Montgomery county men joined Capt. Austin Rogers’ com¬
pany, and about 30 men joined Capt. Law’s company, both of Calla¬
way, and both belonging at first to Maj. Milton’s battalion, Gen.
Harris’ division of the Missouri State Guard. In Capt. Law’s com¬
pany were some Germans from the southern part of the county,
although the Germans as a rule were Union men.

Capts. Rogers and Laws were at the capture of Lexington, and
Milton’s battalion was highly spoken of by Gen. Harris for its con¬
duct. Some of the Montgomery men were at the second Boonville
fight, under Col. Brown, who was killed in that engagement.

When the Missouri State Guard entered the Confederate service in
the winter of 1861-62 the majority of the men from this county were
members of Col. Elijah Gates’ regiment. They were at Pea Ridge,
and afterward crossed the Mississippi and served east of the river to
the close of the war. Henry De Koty and James Nowlin were killed
at the battle of Corinth. Lieut. Tannehill, John Ooley, Henry Porter
and Joseph Porter were killed at Champion’s Hill.

628

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

MISCELLANEOUS WAR ITEMS DURING THE YEAR 1861.

About the 1st of August Daniel Bryan, John Bryan, the merchants
of Montgomery City, and John W. Powell, a prominent citizen of the
county, started for Gen. Price’s army, then in south-west Missouri
confronting Gen. Lyon. About the 8th of August, near Lamar, Bar¬
ton county, they were killed by a party of Col. Montgomery’s Kansas
jayhawkers, whom they encountered in the prairie. It is believed
they were shot after they surrendered. Their bodies were buried
where the}^ fell. The jayhawkers carried off their horses. It is re¬
ported that Judge Nathan Bray, of Springfield, was present when
these men were shot.

About the last of October a considerable body of secessionists
assembled in Callaway county, north of Fulton. Col. John B. Hen¬
derson, with 1,200 Pike county Home Guards (six months’ militia),
marched across the country to attack Jones. But at Wellsville Hen-
derson halted, and here messages passed between him and Col. Jeff.
Jones, under flag of truce, and at last Jones agreed to disband and
disperse the Callaway men, they to be exempt from arrest or punish¬
ment of any kind. Col. Arnold Krekel, with some of the St. Charles
militia, was also at Wellsville to co-operate with Henderson. Col.
Chester Harding, with the Tenth Missouri and Eighty-first Ohio, and
two pieces of artillery from Hermann, reached Fulton, on his way to
Jones’ camp, when he was informed of the dispersion of the seces¬
sionists, and returned to Hermann.1

1 Relative to this affair, the particulars of which have never before been published,
Gen. Henderson, now in St. Louis, states that he was stationed at Louisiana, and
hearing of some disturbances caused by secessionists in Montgomery and Cal¬
laway, he concluded to march over and suppress them; that with about 1,200 men he
arrived at Wellsville, where, pursuant to orders, Col. Krekel joined him with 500 men
from St. Charles; that here Jeff . Jones sent a note informing Henderson that his ap¬
proach with his armed men had alarmed the farmers of Callaway, and that they had
assembled for mutual protection against the reported outrages that they — the
Unionists — designed perpetrating on them. Henderson returned an answer to Jones’
messengers, denying that his men had committed or proposed to commit any out¬
rages, and notified Col. Jones that “ the farmers ” must disband immediately or he
would attack them as enemies of the government. Jones disclaimed any authority,
civil or military, over the Callaway men, but merely acted as their mouthpiece in ad¬
dressing Gen. Henderson, and of course received his reply. This reply Jones read
to the multitude, thereupon they disbanded. Gen. Henderson says this is all the
“treaty,” if it be proper to call it a “treaty,” that was ever made. After two days’
stay at Wellsville, Gen. Henderson took his command to Fulton and remained some
weeks.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

629

In the fall of the year a band of 15 Confederate partisans or bush¬
whackers, whose leader was said to be Ike Cobb, made a raid on and
robbed the store of Hugo Monnig, a German Unionist, living on the
road from Danville to Rhineland, half a mile from the bottom.

Missouri’s secession.

On the 26th of October, “ Claib. Jackson’s Legislature,” as it was
called, met in the Masonic Hall at Neosho, and on the 28th an ordi¬
nance of secession was passed by both houses. In the Senate the
only vote against it was cast by Charles H. Hardin, afterwards Gov¬
ernor of the State, and in the House the only member voting “ no ”
was Mr. Shambaugh, of De Kalb. The secession ordinance and the
act of annexation to the Southern Confederacy were approved by the
Confederate Congress at Richmond 1 and recognized by that portion
of the people of Missouri who were in favor of cutting loose from the
Union. And so those Missourians then and afterwards in arms against
the Federal flag became entitled to the name of Confederates , and
will thus be denominated in future pages of this history, instead of
being called “ State Guards,” “ secesssonists,” “ Southern troops,”
etc., as they have hitherto been spoken of.

MURDER OF M’GLATCHEY, A UNION MAN, NEAR BLUFFTON.

It was probably in October of this year that a Union man named
McGlatchey, who lived in the south-western part of the county, near
Bluffton, was taken from his house one night by a band of secession¬
ists and thrown into the Missouri river and drowned. McGlatchey
was about the only reliable Union man in the neighborhood, and his
neighbors looked upon him as a spy and a man dangerous to them.

Upon one occasion, when a band of Cobb’s or Ramsey’s men were
on their way to lynch the notorious “ Capt.” Page, McGlatchey
recognized some of them and got them into trouble over the matter.
His presence in the community was a source of uneasiness and annoy¬
ance, and it was resolved to “ remove ” him. The “ removal ” was
accomplished in the manner above described.

A year or so afterward Henry Hill, Jim Davis and Joe Poindexter,
and Hill’s son-in-law, all of whom lived in and near Bluffton, were

1 A convention held at Richmond, Oct. 31, between Thos. L. Snead and E. C.
Cabell, on the part of the Jackson government of Missouri, and R. M. T. Hunter, on
the part of the Confederate States, agreed upon the admission of Missouri into the
Southern Confederacy, and it was really this agreement which was ratified by the
Confederate Congress.

630

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

arrested, charged with the murder of McGlatchey. They were taken
to Mexico, tried by a military commission and sentenced to confine¬
ment in a military prison during the war. Henry Hill and his son-
in-law died in prison.

THE RAID ON THE RAILROADS.

In the latter part of December, 1861, pursuant to the instructions
of Gen. Price, a number of bridges on the North Missouri and the
Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroads were burned by bands of Confed¬
erates, who, for the most part, were from the vicinity where the
injuries were inflicted, but were usually led and their movments
directed by a leader from Price’s army, then down in South-west
Missouri.

On Friday night, December 20, many miles of track on the North
Missouri were destroyed through Boone, Audrain and Montgomery.
There was a general uprising of the adherents of the Confederate
cause throughout these counties. (Since the passage of the ordinance
of secession by Gov. Jackson’s Legislature of Neosho, October 28,
the secesssionists claimed that Missouri was one of the Confederate
States). The bridges and depots were also burned wherever prac¬
ticable.

The most serious damages to the North Missouri in this county were
inflicted at Wellsville and High Hill. Near the latter place a com¬
pany of Confederate recruits, under Capt. Lycurgus James, assembled
and silently and stealthily swarmed upon the track, tearing up the
rails and throwing them over the embankments, and cutting the cul¬
verts and bridges.

The railroad bridge over the wagon road west of Warrenton was
burned. Other bridges and culverts at different points were either
wholly or partially destroyed. A few freight cars were given to the
flames. The entire road-bed was attacked as savagely as if it had
been a line of Federal breast-works.

In Callaway county a considerable force assembled at Mr. Lail’s, in
the western part of the county, under Capt. Bill Meyers, of Lincoln
county, and Alvin Cobb, and moved upon the road at Wellsville.
Here the depot and some cars were burned, a barrel of whisky
tapped, and then the raiders prepared to enjoy themselves ! The
store of the Kempinski Brothers, Unionists, was entered and such
goods taken as pleased the fancy of the rebel “ boys.” The amount
taken has always been a matter of controversy. The Kempinskis
claim that they lost above $5,000 worth, while the raiders assert that

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

631

not more than $500 worth were taken. These were hauled away in
wagons brought for the purpose, and “pressed” by Capt. Myers
from Mr. Lail.1

Then portions of the road above and below the village were torn
up, and Capt. Myers himself, with some of his men, galloped down
to Montgomery City to burn the depot there. But Tom Stevens, the
depot agent, prevailed on Myers not to burn the building or destroy
any property, and the raiders rode away without striking a match.
They took one or two Union men prisoners, but released them when
they left. The force at Wellsville moved back into Callaway under
Cobb, followed and perhaps joined by Capt. Myers. In a few days
Myers and Cobb, with their companies, joined Col. Caleb Dorsey’s
command and were in the light and rout at Mt. Zion Church, where
Myers was wounded in the side.

A MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMPANY FOR PRICE’S ARMY.

Sunday morning, December 22d, a company of men, numbering
perhaps 50, from the vicinity of High Hill left the county for the Con¬
federate army, then stationed at Springfield. Its officers were cap¬
tain, Lycurgus James ; first lieutenant, John H. Smith ; second lieu¬
tenant, William Badger. The company was designed to serve as
infantry.

At High Hill the company assembled and repaired to the church,
where the preacher, Rev. George Smith of the M. E. Church South,
prayed for a blessing on them, and that the cause they served might
triumph. A few days later they joined the forces of Col. Caleb Dorsey
and participated in the fight at Mount Zion Church.

The Mount Zion fight, to which reference has been made in these
pages, came off December 28, 1861, at Mount Zion Church, in the
eastern edge of Boone county, and was between five companies of
the Third Missouri cavalry, Col. John M. Glover, five companies of
Birge’s sharpshooters, all under command of Gen. Ben M. Prentiss,
and a Confederate force of about 500 recruits under Col. Caleb Dorsey,
of Pike county, Lieut. -Col. Coleman Kent, of Warren, and Maj.
Thomas Breckinridge, also of Warren. To Dorsey’s command be¬
longed Capt. Lycurgus James’ company, Jo Payne’s company, Alvin
Cobb’s and Bill Myers’ company, in all of which were Montgomery
county men.

1 After the war A. Kempinski brought suit against Mr. Lail for $10,000, double the
value of the goods alleged to have been taken. After a protracted fight in the courts
Mr. Kempinski was defeated.

632

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

As the Confederates were poorly armed, and were new recruits, and
as the Federals were well armed and had the advantage of being well
drilled and disciplined, the Confederates were defeated and driven in
confusion from the field. Ten or a dozen were killed on each side ;
the Federals had 40 wounded ; the Confederates about the same
number. Among the Montgomery county wounded who were left on
the field were A. J. Parsons, in the left thigh, and J. E. McConnell,
in the right thigh. Maj. Breckinridge and Capt. Myers were
wounded.

INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF THE COUNTY BY FEDERAL TROOPS.

As soon as the news of the assault on the North Missouri Railroad
reached St. Louis the Federal commander at St. Louis, Gen. Halleck,
ordered troops into this county as soon as possible. The Tenth Mis¬
souri, Col. Todd, and the Eighty-first Ohio, Col. Morton, both infantry
regiments, were lying at Hermann. These two regiments crossed the
river and landed on Loutre Island on the 23d. The next day they
marched to High Hill, and from thence on to Danville, which they
reached on Christmas day. Alvin Cobb and his company left town
just before the Federal advance entered.

Horses were pressed from the country and about 50 men mounted
to serve as advance guard, as the infantry force could do but little in
attempting to overtake a mounted force at that season of the year. The
next morning a slight skirmish occurred between the mounted Federals
and some of Cobb’s men at the edge of the timber a mile or more west
of Danville. The rebels retreated. That day a wounded man of the
Tenth Missouri, named Donaldson, accidently shot and killed a
comrade.

The two Federal regiments were re-enforced by a company or two of
Hubbard’s battalion of the First Missouri cavalry and pushed on into
Callaway, passing through Williamsburg and Concord and on nearly
to Mount Zion, in the effort to come up with Dorsey and the other
Confederates under him. They did not participate in the Mount
Zion tight, however, and the next dav turned about and marched
to Mexico via Concord.

The Eighty-first Ohio was stationed at Danville, and the Tenth
Missouri sent at first down to Warrenton. In February the Tenth
Missouri was sent up to High Hill, where it remained until April,
when it was sent South. The Eighty-first Ohio was stationed in
the county for nearly a similar period.

CH4PTBE Till.

EVENTS OF THE YEARS 1862, 1863 AND 1864.

Organization of the Missouri State Militia, Co. C, Ninth M. S. M. — A Company for the
Union Army — Taking the Oath — Organization of the Enrolled Missouri Militia —
Sixty-Seventh Regiment E. M. M. — Miscellaneous — Killing of Joe Cole — 1863 —
Raid on Rhineland — November Election, 1863 — Troops in the Federal Service —
1864 — Miscellaneous — Killing of Col. Brewer and His Sou and of Fridley and His
Son by the Eederals — Two More Companies for the Union Army — During the In¬
vasion of Gen. Price.

The year 1862 opened with Montgomery county under complete
control of the Federal military authority. By the last of February
the Tenth Missouri and Eighty-first Ohio regiments occupied the
county, the former at High Hill, the latter at Danville, with one com¬
pany at Montgomery City. There were no “ rebels ” in the county,
and just why these soldiers were quartered among the people is not at
all clear.

About the 7th of November, 1861, Gov. Gamble received author¬
ity from the War Department at Washington for the organization of
the Missouri State Militia, the members of which, when engaged in
active service, were to be armed, clothed, subsisted, transported and
paid by the United States, and to co-operate with the United States
forces in the repression of invasion into Missouri and the suppression
of rebellion therein. The militia was not to be ordered out of the
State of Missouri, “ except for the immediate defense of said State.”

In Montgomery county, under the protection, as was claimed, of
the Eighty-first Ohio, recruiting was begun for a company for this ser¬
vice. In the latter part of February it was about completed and ready
for active service. It was attached to the Ninth Cavalry, Missouri
State Militia, Col. Odon Guitar, and became Co. C, of that regiment.

A portion of another company of the Ninth M. S. M. was raised in
this county, and a Montgomery county man, Benjamin Sharp, was
made captain. The lieutenants were from Fulton.

The recruiting of Co. C was begun in November, 1861, but
the organization was not perfected until February, 1862. It remained
in Danville with the Eighty-first until the last of March, 1862, under
command of Lieut. McFarlane. It was stationed at Danville after

(633)

634

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the Eighty-first Ohio left until the 10th of May when it was ordered
to Columbia under Lieut. McFarlane. When organized and mustered
in Co. C had about 80 men, every man, so far as is now known, being
a citizen of Montgomery county.

“Co. C” was known as the “abolition company, ” because
nearly all of its members came to be Abolitionists. In December,
1863, the company was broken up, and the officers transferred to the
Twelfth Missouri cavalry.

A COMPANY FOR THE UNION ARMY.

In the fall of the year 1861 the organization of a company for the
Federal military service was begun at Montgomery City. The organ¬
ization was not perfected until in February, 1862, when the officers
were commissioned and the company went to Macon City, joining
what was then known as the Twenty-second Missouri volunteers, Col.
John D. Foster commanding. It served in North Missouri until
April 21,|when Col. Foster’s regiment, not having but six companies,
was broken up and the companies distributed among other Missouri
regiments. While at Montgomery City the company was quartered
for a time in the college building.

The Montgomery county company, whichdmd been Co. F in the Twen¬
ty-second, became Co. E, of the Twenty-fourth Missouri volunteers,
Col. S. H. Boyd. It was never, however, sent to its own regiment,
but was attached during its term of service to the Tenth Missouri in-
fantry. It served in the armies of the West, under Gens. Pope,
Grant, Rosecrans and Sherman, and was in the battles of Iuka, Cor¬
inth, “Raymond, Jackson, Champion’s Hill, and the siege of Vicksburg,
Miss., and Missionary Ridge, Tenn. At Corinth and Champion’s Hill,
as well as at Vicksburg, the men fought directly against the Confed¬
erates of Gen. Martin E. Green’s brigade, or division, many of whom
were their old neighbors in this county.

One engagement in which this company took part is deserving of men¬
tion. On the night of October 12, 1864, after the main part of the
Tenth Missouri regiment had gone home, and during the period when
Gen. Hood had gained the rear of Gen. Sherman and was marching
on Tennessee, Capt. W. B. White, with his company, H, of the
Tenth, and the Montgomery county company, under Lieut. Driscoll —
Capt. McCammon being on staff duty — had a desperate engagement
with an entire brigade of Hood’s army, at a point on the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad, four miles north of Resaca, Georgia.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

635

Capt. White, with his two companies of about fifty men each, had
been detailed to guard a camp of timber cutters and bridge carpen¬
ters. Hearing of the approach of the Confederates he threw up a
little fort out of the timbers, and at nine o’clock in the night was
attacked. He repulsed first a battalion, then a regiment, then two
regiments, and then held an entire brigade (Sears’) of French’s divis¬
ion of Stewart’s corps at bay until three o’clock in the morning,
when, every cartridge having been exhausted, and Capt. White very
desperately wounded, Lieut. Driscoll, of Co. E, Twei^-fourth Mis¬
souri, the only other officer present, surrendered.

In this action two of the Montgomery county men were killed and
Capt. White and another man wounded. Owing to their defended
position, the loss of the Federals was inferior to that of the Confed¬
erates. The latter had seventeen men killed and a proportionate num¬
ber wounded. The Federal prisoners spent several months in Ander¬
son vi lie and other prisons, and with a few exceptions were not re¬
leased until the war was about over.

TAKING THE OATH.

After the raids on the railroads in North Missouri the Federal
authorities resolved to place those of Confederate sympathies not
only under oath, but under bond for their 4 4 good behavior.” In
February Gen. Halleck issued a circular order to that effect, and
to carry out this order provost marshals were appointed, who notified
the people that they had better come forward and take the oath, and
soon they came pouring in, hundreds in number, to 44 take their medi¬
cine,” which many of them did as if it were medicine, with many wry
faces, and much squirming and contorting.

On July 22, 1862, Gov. Gamble issued an order, known as Special
Order No. 101, organizing the entire militia of the State into companies,
regiments and brigades, and to order into active service such por¬
tions of the force thus organized as might be necessary for the pur¬
pose of putting down all marauders and defending the peaceable
citizens of the State.

Three days later Gen. Schofield ordered 44 an immediate organiza¬
tion of all the militia in Missouri for the purpose of exterminating the
guerrillas that infest the State.” The militia were further directed to
assemble at any post with whatever arms they had, and a good horse
each, if they had one, elect officers and be sworn into service accord¬
ing to the laws of the State. They were to be kept in service such

636

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

portion of the time as the commanding officer of the district might
direct, and while in service were to be paid as volunteers.

In Montgomery county the militia belonged to the Sixty-seventh
regiment, of which Walter L. Lovelace was the first colonel. He
resigned in December to take his seat in the Legislature.

MISCELLANEOUS.

At the time of Jo. Porter’s raid, in July and August, 1862, the
enrolled militia of this county did some service in Callaway county,
scouting about trying to intercept the Confederates.

In the tight between Porter and Guitar, at Moore’s Mills, July 28,
Alvin Cobb and his company were present under Porter. Cobb had
joined Porter some days previously, but left him soon after the
Moore’s Mill fight.

It was some time in the summer of this year that “ Capt. ” Page,
the noted Federal scout and spy, was captured by a party of bush¬
whackers — said to have been Cobb’s men — on the road between
Mexico and Concord, and hung. “Capt.” Page lived in the vicinity
of Bluffton. His was a life of daring and adventure. He belonged
to Gen. Fremont’s exploring expedition that crossed the continent in
1842-46, and experienced so many hardships and vicissitudes. When
the Civil War broke out he was a Unionist, and early attached him¬
self to Fremont’s army. When Fremont was removed from Mis¬
souri, he returned home, and in February, 1862, became a scout for
the Tenth Missouri at High Hill.

Page had an unsavory reputation and record. He was a great jay-
hawker, and often, as was charged, led scouting parties to the houses
of certain Confederates in order that he might seize upon something
to which he had a fancy. The Federal troops grew to dislike him,
and it was reported, and is yet believed by some persons, that he was
hung by a scouting party of the Tenth Missouri State militia.

But the most probable account is that he started from Mexico to
carry some dispatches to Fulton, and near Concord he ran into the
bushwhackers and tried to pass himself off as one of their kind. But
one of them knew him, and when they searched him they found his
dispatches in his boot. Thej^ took him out and hung him and left
his body dangling in the summer breezes.

KILLING OF JOE COLE.

In November, 1862, Joe Cole, the leader of a small band of bush¬
whackers that had given the Federal militia no little annoyance and

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

637

trouble in this county, was killed by a party under Lieut. A. Kemp-
inski, of Co. B, Sixty-seventh E. M. M., near Portland, in Callaway
county.

Joe Cole was raised in the south-eastern part of Montgomery county,
and knew all the country in the southern part of this county and Cal¬
laway very well. Early in the war he announced himself a rebel and
notified some of the German Unionists of near Rhineland that his
principal business during the war would be to “ raise h — 11 with the
Dutch.” When Hammer’s men came into the county in July, 1861,
they took Joe’s horse, as a German citizen had informed them of
what Joe said. Then Joe went on the war path.

With only half a dozen men the bold bushwhacker raided the
Germans at will, went in and out of Bluffton, Portland and Williams¬
burg when he pleased, and killed two or three citizens and militiamen
of this county and Callaway at different times. He made many a
Union man sleep in the woods, and rode many a good horse to which
he could not show a legal title. Sometimes he would dress himself
fantastically, and up and down Lower Loutre and Dry fork and
Prairie fork and over on the Auxvasse, he rode whistling and sins:-
ing, with peacock plumes in his hat, his coat and pantaloons slashed
with gaudy gilt braid and his horse’s bridle trimmed with tassels and
rosettes. He delighted to roam the country in quest of women and
whisky and militia — and they cost him his life.

A negro came up to Wellsville and informed Lieut. Kempinski that
Joe Cole was in the neighborhood of Portland, reckless and off his
guard. Kempinski took seven men, well mounted, and started for
the neighborhood immediately. Kempinski was wary and careful.
At the house of a Union man above Bluffton, Kempinski secreted him¬
self and six men one day while the seventh, dressed in citizen’s clothes,
went into Portland, saw Joe Cole, drank with him, talked freely with
him, and learned where he would pass the night ; then the militiaman
returned in safety with his information.

Two miles east of Portland, in a story and a half cabin, lived the
Widow Hill and her two daughters — the latter fair in form and
feature and light of love. After his season of devotion at the shrine
of Bacchus this sou of Mars was wont to repair to the court of Venus
for such care and solace and delights as onlv her daughters can bestow.
At the Widow Hill’s was where Joe Cole meant to pass the night, as
he told the spy.

Just as the dawn was peering over the river bluffs, Kempinski and
his men knocked at the door of the widow’s cabin. Joe Cole lay

638

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

sleeping, and when his Delilah aroused him with the cry that
the Philistines were upon him, he opened his eyes lan¬
guidly and putting out his hand as if to stroke her fair hair, said
softly, “ I don’t care.” Then he heard the angry voices of the mil-
itia demanding admission, and a realization of his peril came to him,
and he sprang from his couch and in a few seconds stood clothed and

* V—'

in his right mind and armed cap a pie.

The widow asked the soldiers what they wanted. “ We want Joe
Cole,” answered the lieutenant. The widow and Delilah and Delilah’s
sister protested : “ He is not here ! He is not here! Don’t come

in ! For heaven’s sake don’t come in ! ” But the soldiers insisted,
and said sternly, “ If vou don’t open the door, we will burn the
ho use.” Amid the wailing of the women and the demands of the
militiamen came a clear, ringing voice, “ Stand aside /” The door
opened and forth came Joe Cole, a revolver in each hand, blazing
awav, tiring right and left.

No use. A militiaman at the side of the door shot him in the
twinkling of an eve and he fell to the ground. But Cole turned in
his dying agony and desire for vengeance and caught another man
named Harris bv the coat and sought to raise himself so that he could
shoot ; but Harris raised his musket and with the butt of it struck the
guerrilla a fearful blow on the head crushing in his skull.

When daylight came good and broad and the sun shone out, Kem-
pinski sent for the citizens to come and bury the body, and they did
so.

The militia administered on Joe Cole’s personal estate, and took
charge of it. They found two good horses, two large navy revolvers
and a double-barreled shot gun. Citizens came and claimed the
horses ; one, a fine big black stallion, belonged to Mr. Clark, from
whom Joe had “borrowed” him one night when everything was still
and Clark was asleep. Nobody came forward to claim the revolvers
and the shot gun.

As Kempinski and his seven men were riding back to Wellsville
they passed a school-house where a Miss Mosely, of a family of noted
Unionists, was teaching. The young school mistress, with her brood of
little ones about her, came out to ask the soldiers where they had
been and what was the news. “We have killed Joe Cole,” answered
the lieutenant. Instantly the ladv was on her knees, actually return-
ing thanks and praising God that the “ rebel villain,” as she called
him, was no more. “ He killed my brother,” she said, “ and he has
threatened my father’s life and my other brothers’ lives, and for

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

639

months we have known no peace or safety on his account. O, God !
I thank Thee that the bloody dog is dead. And I thank you, gentle¬
men,” as she turned to the soldiers, “ that you killed him.”

Such were the women in war times.

RAID ON RHINELAND.

May 26, 1863, a band of bushwhackers, fifteen in number, among
whom were Frank Ramsey, Col. Brewer, and a German named Mvers,
made a raid on Rhineland, a small hamlet in the southern part of the
county. The band came in from the west and as part of them were
dressed in Federal blue they were mistaken for militiamen.

Mr. Andrew Rincheval, the founder of Rhineland, kept the only
store in the place at the time. His son Louis, a young man, assisted
his father in the store. Mr. Rincheval, saw the party approaching,
and supposing it to be a militia scouting party, and desiring to gain
their good will said to his son: “Louis, go down in the cellar and
bring up some whisky for those militia.” While Louis was in the
cellar he heard a commotion above and running up saw his father
struggling with two or three bushwhackers, and a moment afterward
saw him shot by Col. Brewer, who was a one-armed man and well
known in the country.

It seems that, from the statement of Mrs. Rincheval, the bush¬
whackers rode up to the door, suddenly dismounted, rushed in and
Rincheval seized the leader and threw him to the floor and while hold¬
ing him in this position, and nearly succeeding in dragging another
down, he was shot by Col. Brewer, and killed instantly.

Louis Rincheval, seeing that his father was killed, ran into a back
room. His mother closed the door leading into the room and bolted
it, and he ran out the back way and dodging through the fields and
the high grass and woods in the bottom, he succeeded in reaching* the
river and passed on down to Hermann. His mother could do nothing
but wring her hands and weep and wail.

The bushwhackers made a short visit. Spurning the body of Mr.
Rincheval to one side after having rifled his pockets, they took about
$200 in greenbacks from the money drawer, what fire-arms they could
find, and such goods as they could carry, and rode rapidly away to¬
wards Portland or Bluffton, Col. Brewer and Frank Ramsey in the
lead.

The burghers of Rhineland hardly knew what had happened until
they saw the raiders leaving. Then came Mrs. Rincheval telli ng of
the murder of her husbaud. He had been shot through the body and

640

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Brewer’s ball had cut close to his heart. Mr. Groteveil, Mr. Hohl-
man, and one or two others ran off to Hermann for soldiers. A Capt.
Smith, then in command at Hermann, sent up 20 men, who followed
the bushwhackers fifteen miles up intoCallaway, but did not encounter
them.

NOVEMBER ELECTION, 1863.

At the general election for 1863, in Missouri, but two tickets were
voted for, both claiming to be “ Union.” One ticket, headed by
Barton Bates, W. V. N. Bay and J. D. S. Dryden, for Supreme
Judges, was called the Conservative ticket; the other, headed by H.
A. Clover, Arnold Krekel and David Wagner, was denominated the
“Radical” or “Charcoal” ticket. The latter was supported by
all of the immediate emancipationists in the State. This election is
remarkable for being the first in Missouri, under a general law, where
voting was done bv ballot, and not viva voce .

ANOTHER COMPANY FOR GUITAR’S REGIMENT.

In the fall of this year another company was organized in this
county for the Federal State militia. This company came to be
known as Co. L, Ninth M. S. M. At the time it was received,
Guitar had ceased to command the company (having been promoted
to brigadier-general), and Col. John F. Williams was its com¬
mander.

TROOPS IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE.

Up to the close of the month of December, 1863, Montgomery
county had furnished 410 men for the regular Federal service, includ¬
ing the Missouri State militia, but not the enrolled militia. These
included 42 negroes, who had enlisted in the Third Arkansas “A. D.,”
or “African Descent.” The total list was as follows : —

In the Missouri Volunteer Regiments. — Second infantry, 1; Sixth
infantry, 1 ; Eighth infantry, 4 ; Tenth infantry, 2 ; Twenty-fourth
infantry, 51; Twenty-sixth infantry, 46; Thirtieth infantry, 22;
Thirty-first infantry, 27 ; Thirty-second infantry, 5 ; Thirty-third in¬
fantry, 15 ; Second cavalry, 2 ; Tenth cavalry, 10 ; Eleventh cavalry,
2: total in Missouri regiment’s, 188.

In the Missouri State Militia. — First cavalry, 1 ; Ninth cavalry,
176 ; Tenth cavalry, 1 ; total in M. S. M., 178.

Miscellaneous. — In an Illinois regiment, 1; in an Arkansas regi¬
ment, 1; in the Third Arkansas “A. D.,” 42; total miscellaneous,
44.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

641

Those in the Thirtieth, Thirty-first, Thirty-second and Thirty-third
regiments of Missouri infantry enlisted mainly in the fall of 1862,
under President Lincoln’s call for “ 300,000 more.”

1864 - MISCELLANEOUS.

In the latter part of the year there was a great deal of outlawry in
the county. Thefts and robbery were quite common. Horses were
stolen, and many people were called upon and made to deliver their
money at the point of the pistol. Neither life nor property was very
safe in some quarters. In some parts of the county bands of bush¬
whackers or fugitive returned Confederates did this bad work; else¬
where the marauders were unquestionably militiamen.

Though the country was greatly disturbed, and people were gener¬
ally demoralized, courts were held, and the political machinery of the
county ran along smoothly until after the Danville raid. It was a
Presidential year, too. Gen. George B. McClellan and Hon. George
H. Pendleton were the Democratic nominees, and Abraham Lincoln
and Andrew Johnson were the nominees of the Republicans, only two
tickets being in the field. Geo. W. Anderson, of Pike, was the Re¬
publican candidate for Congress, and his Democratic opponent was
Hon. James S. Rollins, of Boone. Col. Anderson was elected. The
Democrats carried Montgomery county by a good majority for “ Little
Mac,” the vote standing: For the McClellan electors, 597 ; for the
Lincoln electors, 158 ; Democratic majority, 439.

Many Democrats remained away from the polls, even among those
entitled to vote. No one could vote or hold office who could not and
would not take the oath of loyalty, and of course many a Confederate
and “rebel” sympathizer was disbarred. The vote in the State for
President was: Lincoln, 71,676 ; McClellan, 31,626. For Governor,
Thos. C. Fletcher, 71,531; Thos. L. Price, 30,406.

KILLING OF COL. BREWER AND HIS SON JAMES.

It was some time in the summer of 1864, after the raid on Rhine¬
land, that a scouting party of Federal cavalry, under Capt. Hunter,1
crossed -the river and came westward through the southern part of
this county on a scouting expedition to Portland. Either at Port¬
land or en route back to Hermann they caught Col. Brewer and his
son James, the latter a young man of 20, and shot them both on

Believed to have been Capt. Samuel A. Hunter, Co. M, Ninth Missouri State
militia, Guitar’s regiment.

64 2

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

top of Poindexter’s hill, three miles west of Rhineland, on the Port¬
land road.

Col. Brewer is declared by Louis Rincheval to have been the one-
armed man who shot Andrew Rincheval, at Rhineland, in May, 1863,
and he and his son were both called bushwhackers. The colonel was
a man of uncommon intelligence and acquirements. He had a mili¬
tary education and on the outbreak of the war drilled a company or
two for the Southern army.

The graves of Brewer and his son were plainly to be seen, near the
roadside, surrounded by rail pens, some years after the war.

t THE MURDER OF THE FRIDLEYS AT DRYDEN’s MILL.

Some time in September, 1864, two men rode into Danville from
the west and stopped at Mrs. Nunnelly’s hotel. These men wore an
air that caused suspicion. Capt. George J. Smith’s Co. D, Forty-
ninth Missouri, was then in Danville, and the captain arrested the
two suspicious strangers, who at last confessed that they had been
bushwhackers, members of Anderson’s band.

They gave their names as Fridley, father and son, and said they
lived in Howard county. They had become tired of bushwhacking,
they said, and were going down into St. Charles county to remain
with some relatives until the war was over.

Capt. Smith’s company was about to start for St. Louis and he
determined to take the prisoner’s with him — at least he so stated.
But when the company did start it took the Fridley s as far as Dry-
den’s mill (the old horse mill), two miles west of New Florence.
The two men were taken into a peach orchard and summarily shot to
death, and their bodies left to rot and fester in the autumn sun.

Smith went on to New Florence, and told T. J. Powell, the well
known ex-sheriff, etc., that there were two dead bushwhackers at
Drvden’s mill. Powell and Dan Nunnelly rode out and found the
bodies of father and son. Esq. Forshey and others assisted and the
corpses were decently buried in the orchard where the}' fell, and
where the still remain.

Some days after the shooting of these men, the news traveled up
to Howard county and reached Mrs. Fridley. She came down to
learn the particulars, and remained at T. J. Powell’s some days, and
stated to the family that it was true that her husband and son were
bushwhackers, and that it was true, as they had stated, that they had
abandoned the guerrilla warfare and were going to St. Charles county
for safety.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

643

TWO MORE COMPANIES FOR THE FEDERAL SERVICE.

In September, 1864, two companies were raised in this county for
the Federal or Union army. They were known as Cos. B and D, of
the Forty-ninth Missouri infantry, Col. D. P. Dyer’s regiment. Co.
B was from Middletown and the eastern and north-eastern part of the
county. Co. D was from the vicinity of Danville.

These companies served in North Missouri until February, 1865,
when they were sent to New Orleans. They took part in the siege and
capture of Mobile and Spanish Fort, after which they were stationed
in Alabama until the expiration of their term of service.

DURING THE INVASION OF GEN. PRICE.

At the time of Gen. Price’s invasion of Missouri, in October, 1864,
the Confederate sympathizers in this county were greatly elated for a
time. It was reported that he had captured St. Louis, then Jefferson
City, and a letter was received saying he would be in this county soon.
The country was full of guerrillas and bushwhackers, and the Con¬
federate cause, long smoldering in this quarter of Missouri, had flashed
up, as it were, and its flickering blaze brightened the faces of its
friends for a brief season before it died out and was quenched forever.

Gen. Marmaduke captured Hermann, but did not cross the river, or
stay long in the German town. Perhaps 50 men improved the oppor¬
tunity to leave the county and join the Confederate army. Col. Caleb
Dorsey passed into Lincoln and Pike and the eastern part of Mont¬
gomery and took out 300 or more recruits. He went through the
southern part of this county, past Big Spring and up Dry Fork, on
the Cote Sans Dessein road. At the big spring, on the old Groom
farm, he camped one night. Dorsey crossed the Missouri river at
Portland, swimming his horses, and one of his men was drowned.

While Dorsey was on Hancock’s prairie, in camp, Col. S. A. Holmes
with the Fortieth Missouri was sent into the county, about October
25. He went to Danville and tried to induce Col. Canfield to accom¬
pany him with his mounted militia and they would march out, but
Canfield would not. Col. Holmes then passed down the railroad from
Mexico, repairing the injury done by the guerrillas and Confederate
scouting parties. Holmes had previously been in this county as major
of the Tenth Missouri.

It was not long, however, until the news was received that Gen.
Price and his^army had been defeated. Then the hopes of the Mont¬
gomery county Confederates sank very low indeed.

CHAPTER IX.

THE CONFEDERATE GUERRILLA RAIDS OF 1864.

The Second Raid on Rhineland — Hancock’s Band Descends on the Place — Brutal
Murder of Henry Bresser — Miles Price’s Raid on High Hill and Jonesburg — Bill
Anderson’s Raid — He Attacks and Burns Danville — Murders Five Citizens — Plun¬
ders the Stores and Destroys the Public Records — Goes to New Florence — Robs
the Stores and Burns the Depot — On to High Hill — Repeats the Performances at
New Florence — Turns Back — Is Followed by the Enrolled Militia and Routed —
Killing of Five Innocent Citizens of the County by the Militia — Full and Authentic
Particulars Never Before Published.

On September 12, 1864, Miles Price, a Confederate raider, and
belonging to the regular Confederate service, and whose home was
near Pendleton, Warren county, made a raid into this county. Just
where and when he entered Montgomery countv can not here be stated,
but at four o’clock in the afternoon of the day named he dashed into
Hit'll Hill at the head of 13 men, coming in from the west. He was
accompanied by a man who called himself “ Capt. Henry, of Saline
cou nty.”

Price’s men took $75 worth of saddles, bridles, etc., from Emil
Rosenberger, some money from Mr. Chapin, one horse, two shot
(runs, and two revolvers from Hance Miller, and made Mr. Miller
himself a prisoner.

In a short time the daring band had ridden away to Jonesburg.
Here they held the town for an hour or two, robbed Allen Hess’
store of $500 worth of goods, and rode out toward the south-west.

Word of the invasion of the bold raiders was conveyed to Danville,
and conjecturing that they would pass to the westward that night
along the old St. Charles and Cote Sans Dessein road, up Dry Fork,
a number of Union citizens, not soldiers, determined to waylay them.
Dr. Samuel J. Moore, Tom Ford, Mike Lee, and a dozen others armed
themselves and set out. That night at Muke Snethen’s corner, on
Dry fork, the Unionists ambushed and bushwhacked the raiders.
One horse was killed, one man wounded, and the raiders retreated so
rapidly that they dropped Hance Miller’s shot gun, and let fall
mauv of the goods they had taken from Hess’ store at Jonesburg.
The citizens gathered these up, and they were afterwards restored to
their rightful owners.

\ 644)

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

645

THE SECOND RAID ON RHINELAND.

July 8, 1864, a second raid was made by the Confederate bush¬
whackers on Rhineland. They numbered 17 men, and their leader
was one Hancock, who had attained some notoriety in Callaway and
the western part of this county. They first made their appearance at
Big Spring, where they robbed Neidegerke’s store. After leaving Big
Spring they arrayed themselves fantastically, and even gaudily.

At Rhineland they first encountered Henry Groteveil, who lived a
few hundred yards east of the village. Mr. Groteveil, his wife, his
son Gerhard, and a daughter were at work in the harvest field. The
bushwhackers rode up to the house, and three or four of them entered
the stable lot and began to try to catch some horses. Five or six
others went into the house and began to ransack it. There was no
one at the house but Mr. Groteveil’ s daughter, Bernardina (now the
wife of Louis Rincheval, of Hermann).

Seenm the commotion among his horses and the strange men chasing

O O O O

them, Mr. Groteveil started to the house, but did not proceed far.
To a command of one of the men to “ come here,” he refused, and
was fired at with a revolver. Then he started to run, and a fusilade
of revolver shots was opened on him. One ball struck him in the
right leg, making a serious wound, other bullets whizzed by his ears,
while one shot grazed his son Gerhard under the arm. Mr. Groteveil
made his way to a tobacco barn, where he had a shot-gun, and he was
not followed.

The bushwhackers took only a revolver from Groteveil’s trunk, and
then rushed up into the hamlet. They visited Mrs. Rincheval’s store,
where her husband had been murdered the year previously, and
again her son Louis was chased and more than twenty shots fired at
him.

South of Groteveil lived Henry Bresser, a widower, with three or
four children. He could speak and understand but a few words of
English. Him they also shot, and he died in a few seconds.

Bresser was a harmless, inoffensive man, an alien who had not taken
up arms at all, and who had not been long in America. He seemed
devoted to his motherless children and they to him, and when a party
of rescuers went down to his home after the murder they were sitting
by his lifeless body, caring for it.

The guerrillas took two horses from Rudolph Schultener and de¬
parted for Callaway. Louis Rincheval and others went on to Hermann
and gave the alarm, and Capt. Hickman’s company of militia followed

646

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the trail for several miles but did not overtake the guerrillas, as they
had scattered.

Not long after this raid Capt. Gensert resigned as captain of the
Enrolled militia, and a new company was organized at Rhineland,
composed of the German- Americans in the neighborhood. Of this
company, an American, Capt. Kendrick, was chosen captain. This
company was organized under the orders of Gen. Rosecrans, and was
stationed for some time at Rhineland. A number of men were kept
on duty all the time. The quarters was a log building, formidable
enough for a fort. Capt. Kendrick scouted the country occasionally,
and kept the lower part of the township clear of bushwhackers ever
afterwards. He is an old Missourian, and a son-in-law of the old
pioneer, Lewis Jones.

bill anderson’s raid on and burning of danville.

Perhaps the most noted and dreadful event in the history of Mont¬
gomery county is the raid into the county of Bill Anderson’s Confed¬
erate guerrilla band, in October, 1864. Of Anderson himself the
readers of this volume have heard as much as they wish to hear. He
is known by his deeds, and all of his deeds were evil. Of all the
foul, black and bloody monsters the Civil War produced, Bill Ander¬
son stands out pre-eminently the foulest, the blackest, and the blood¬
iest. The only redeeming or palliating feature in his character was
his suspected insanity by those who knew him best.

GEN. PRICE’S ORDERS.

After the massacre at Centralia, September 27th, in which he
was the conspicuous figure, Bill Anderson and his band made their
way to Gen. Price’s army, at Boonville, where they arrived about
October 10th. They paraded the streets of Boonville “ in open day,
with human scalps hanging to their bridles, and tauntingly shaking
bundles of plundered greenbacks at the needy Confederate soldiers.” 1
Here for the first time Anderson was recognized bv the Confederate
officers. Gen. Price sent him out to operate against the North Mis¬
souri Railroad, giving him written orders to that effect, which were
found on his body when he was killed, and are still in existence. Ac-
compaying the orders was a pass across the river.

Riding rapidly through Howard, Boone and Callaway, Anderson

1 See Gov. Thos. C. Reynolds’ letter in “ Shelby and His Men,” page 471. Gov.
R. at that time was the Confederate Governor of Missouri ; he at present resides in
St. Louis.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

647

and his band, 50 strong, reached Williamsburg on the evening of Octo¬
ber 14th. A few recruits were picked up in Callaway, and there were
in the band the three Berry brothers, Dick and Jim and Ike — two
of them at least. There was no need of a guide to Danville for there
were plenty of men along that knew the road and the town very well.
Certain citizens of Williamsburg, too, had been in Danville recently
and drew a plan of the town and gave Anderson a correct description
of the situation. The guerrillas were assured that no soldiers were
there, but that there was a block house standing in the street into
which the citizens expected to repair if the town should be
attacked.

Anderson desired very much to pass through Danville. It had sev¬
eral stores well filled and there was thought to be considerable money
in the county treasury. Besides the place had a bad reputation in
Confederate circles. The majority of the inhabitants were hated
“ Feds/’ or Federal sympathizers, and it would afford the guerrillas
great delight to give the houses to the flames and the men to the sword.

As soon had night had fallen, therefore, Anderson rode out from
Williamsburg on the Boone’s Lick road, striking straight for Dan¬
ville. He had 50 men with him, the best and most desperate bush¬
whackers in Missouri. His trusted lieutenant, Arch Clements, a
voung man aged not more than 22, keen and shrewd as a fox, but
merciless and cruel as a tiger ; Bill Stuart, another guerrilla leader ;
Frank James, since renowned as a bandit and train robber; Tuck and
Woot Hill, desperadoes from Johnson county, the Berry boys, from
Callaway, and others equally as desperate, reckless and fearless. All
were firmly mounted, all heavily and splendidly armed. No man had
fewer than four revolvers, and every horse was a thoroughbred.

The first seen of the band was when it had reached the top of the
hill on the Boone’s Lick road, west of Loutre creek. Here Alexander
Graham, out after a physician, saw and heard them approaching, and
without being seen by them, sprang over a fence and crouched down
in the corner. The guerrillas went by him with the rush of an ex¬
press train, all talking and swearing and making a dreadful din.

At old Benjamin White’s, nearly two miles west of Danville, they
halted. Mr. White was an old pioneer and a “ Southern sympathi¬
zer,” but it did not matter. The guerrillas robbed him of his money
and watch, and certain other articles, rode their horses into and about
the yard, and abused the family shamefully.

In Danville the citizens had been uneasy and fearful for some days
and nights. Gen. Price’s army had passed up the river a few days

648

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

previously, and the country was full of scouting parties of Con¬
federates and bushwhackers. There were no troops in the place, but
nearly every citizen had a gun of some kind, and the block house,
which stood near the south-east corner of the square, in the street or
road, would afford protection and a vantage point if once its shelter
could be gained. A group of citizens were standing in front of the
store of Watkins & Drury, on the south-east corner, about nine
o’clock, and were discussing the advisability of putting out pickets
that night and placing half a dozen men to sleep in the block house.
Suddeidy a column was seen approaching from the west. It had not
been heard for the guerrillas were riding slowly and the dust was deep
in the roads. Some say that the horses’ feet were muffled ! Almost
instantly the leader of the column, Anderson himself, wheeled to one
side and shouted, “Fire on them.”

Then the terrible scene opened. The guerrillas, with yells and
shouts, charged the citizens, firing and riding upon them, and killing
every living thing in view. M. A. Gilbert and Henry L. Diggs were
both shot down and killed near the sidewalk. Through the back
streets then ran the brigands searching for other victims. The stores

O O

were broken into and robbed of whatever the robbers wanted ; where
the proprietors could be found their money was taken first.

Now began the firing of buildings. Matches were lit and thrust
into cotton batting or other inflammable goods, and speedy blazes
sprang up in every building about the square. The public square was
nearly surrounded by large, fine buildings, and all but Nunnelly’s
hotel were soon in flames. The county records of Montgomery
county from 1818, priceless in value and inestimable in their impor¬
tance, were stored in Watkins & Drury’s store, and were, of course,
lost.

Private houses were visited on the back streets and set on fire, the
inmates ordered out roughly, and not allowed to remove their goods.
The house of Sheriff* Ira C. Ellis was set on fire three times, and each
time the flames were extinguished by Mrs. Ellis. Soon the whole
town was one lurid glare of burning light. Vast clouds of black
smoke rose in such density as to obscure the moon. Gusts and col¬
umns and jets of flame shot athwart the skv, and great showers of
sparks and bits of burning wood were carried far off and up into the
canopy. All over town it was so light that one could see to pick
up a pin.

Noctesirm ! The roaring of the flames, the crashing of the burning
buildings, the pistol shots and yells and cries of the guerrillas, the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

649

screams and shrieks of vvomen and children, all made a most dreadful
scene, so dreadful that even at this day those who witnessed it are loth
to think of it, and mention it with extreme reluctance.

Every man was shot at that did not yield prompt and implicit obe¬
dience, and some were shot who did. Benj. Palmer was shot while
standing in his kitchen door. He fell forward outside, but was not
killed, though his house was soon in flames. Crawling into the
back yard he pulled a board child’s “ play-house ” over himself to
screen himself from the terrible flames, and no less terrible guerrillas.
Two ladies, Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Hughes, subsequently assisted him
to a place of safety.

When the first alarm was given Dr. Samuel J. Moore, a lifetime
resident of the county, who was then living in the southern part of
town, sprang up and seizing his shotgun and revolver, started for the
scene. His young, beautiful and highly accomplished wife, the
daughter of Rev. L. T. McNeiley 1 entreated him not to expose him¬
self, but he ran immediately towards the first squad of guerrillas he
saw, unhorsed one, giving him a terrible wound in the thigh. Half a
dozen fired at him, and he fought back to the last. He was killed
near a stable, shot two or three times, and his head terribly beaten
with the butts of revolvers. •

THE SCENES AT THE FEMALE COLLEGE.

Prof. Robinson’s Female College had opened in September pre¬
viously, and as it was the only institution of the kind in the county,
it was largely attended. Nearly 100 young ladies from this and sur¬
rounding counties were present at the time of the raid. A guerrilla
calling himself “ Capt. Stewart” and some followers rode down to
the college boarding house and ordered the inmates out. The white-
robed girls fluttered about their rooms, half-packed their trunks and
hustled them into the yard and into the woods, and then seated beside
their trunks, sat shivering in the thickets till daylight. Miss Maggie
Pegram, now Mrs. Maggie Payne, of Montgomery City, who was a
student at the time and a witness of these scenes, says the woods
were full of trunks and girls. But some of the girls welcomed the
guerrillas. “We are rebels,” they glibly called out, and for their
sakes the college was spared.

Prof. Robinson was not present at the time, and Prof. Watts had
charge of the college. Miss Ella Brizandine was thought to be a spy

1 Now the wife of Hon. E. F. Perkins, of Linneus, Mo.

650

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

in the service of the guerrillas, as she wrote and received mysterious
letters, and when the raiders came to the college she spoke familiarly
to some of them. Some time afterward she was arrested, charged
with being a spy, and taken to Mexico. It is not known what dispo¬
sition was made of her case.

But more serious affairs were transpiring in other parts of the

place. The town was in flames, and to arson and robbery was being

added murder, and child murder, too ! At the widow Chinn’s, in the

eastern portion of town, her little boy, Ira, 10 or 12 years of age, sat

in the door-way gazing out upon the frightful scene, with something

of boyish wonder. A squad of guerrillas rode up, and one of them

taking aim with his pistol in the bright moonlight shot the lad through

the body.

•/

It was about 9 o’clock when the guerrillas entered Danville. They
remained about two hours, and then departed to carry out Gen.
Price’s order in regard to destroying the North Missouri Railroad,
and to “ go as far east as practicable.” Every house was burned that
was believed to belong to a Union man. The court house had been
torn down some months before, and the bricks had been put into a
house which Mr. Knox had built. The published statement that
the court house was burned, thA’efore, is not literally true. There
was no court house to burn ; the building in which the county
records had been deposited was burned and records with it — a loss* of
not less than $50,000 to the county.

The material for a Radical printing office, belonging to one Orin A.
A. Gardener, was burned. The newspaper had not been issued, but
Gardener had made the preliminary arrangements and was away at
the time procuring certain necessary adjuncts.

The guerrillas at last got ready to leave. The wounded man whom
Dr. Moore had shot was placed in Mrs. Powell’s buggy and driven off
west up the Boone’s Lick road. A few of the prisoners that had
been collected were released, and told that if they left town before
sunrise they would be shot. Wm. C. Ellis, now a blacksmith, living
in Wellsville, and Merrill S. Simons were both placed on one horse,
and made to ride to the western part of town, in front of Mrs. Powell’s.
Here Simons dismounted.

Merrill S. Simons was a school teacher and surveyor, and for a
time he had been a member of Co. C, Ninth M. S. M. When
he dismounted in front of Mrs. Powell’s, Arch Clements questioned
him as to whether he had been in the Federal army. Upon his answer-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

651

ing in the affirmative and giving his company and regiment, Clements
raised himself in his stirrups and shot Simons dead.1

The guerrillas now rode west of town a mile on the Boone’s Lick
road. There they halted, and while here the buggy with the wounded
man passed, going west. On they went towards New Florence. The
distance was soon compassed. Four miles away the light of the burn¬
ing town was plainly visible, smoldering though the fire was
then.

INCIDENTS OF THE VISIT.

The town of New Florence reached, the business of the raiders was
transacted with neatness and dispatch. The depot building was ran¬
sacked and some boxes of Federal uniforms, intended for Kendrick’s
militia company, at Rhineland, were broken open, and those of the
guerrillas not already so supplied were soon clad in bright, new uni¬
forms.

The stores were broken into and gutted sans ceremonie. Such
things as the brigands had failed to supply themselves with during the
burning of Danville they took now. The post-office was robbed, and
one enterprising thief sat quietly and systematically opening the
letters and abstracting their contents by the light of the burning
depot, until he had examined every one. The depot and two cars
were also burned.

Dr. Milton, who had been a surgeon in the Confederate service, was
taken prisoner. New Florence was then but a hamlet, and there were
few prisoners to take and no one could be found to kill. The depot
and cars being “ permanently destroyed,” the other clause of Gen.
Price’s orders was to be obeyed, and Anderson prepared to go on
east. High Hill was the next objective point ; and after a stay of an
hour or more in New Florence, the band set out on the road leading
into the Boone’s Lick road.

Anderson and his men rode into High Hill at sunrise, and scatter¬
ing through the town began to sack it thoroughly. First the depot
was set on fire and destroyed ; then the water-tank was fired, but not
consumed. It was said that every watch and revolver in town were
taken. Abner Bigelow’s safe was robbed of $800 ; Tom Klise’s and
Frank Craig’s stores were pillaged ; Emil Rosenberger’s saddle and
harness shop was stripped, and Rosenberger and other citizens
whipped with the whips there found (see History of High Hill, in the

1 From statement by a member of Anderson’s band who was present, now a resident
of Randolph county .

652

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

chapter on Bear Creek township). Prof. Abe. Davault had $200
taken from him at the mouth of the pistol.

A number of the citizens were guarded under John B. Jennings’

porch, and parties of three and four scoured the surrounding country
and brought in others. One party went to the residence of Hance
Miller, a strong Union man, who lived a little south-east of town, but
Mr. Miller and his son had fled to the woods. Mrs. Miller, yet living
in High Hill, says that the brigands then ordered her to get breakfast
for 20 men, and rode away in a gallop, leading the horses.

No other buildings or structures were attempted to be burned be¬
sides the depot and tank. The many led horses, loaded down already
with plunder, were made to bear additional burdens, the spoil of
Craig’s and Klise’s stores, and then the band started to return. They
took the Boone’s Lick road going westward.

As they filed out of town Eugene Rosenberger says he counted 35
guerrillas in line. There were perhaps ten more who did not fall in
at once. Five went back to Callaway from Danville.

On David Baker’s farm, on the Boone’s Lick road, Anderson
turned south. Here the guerrilla chieftain led his men down three
miles south of New Florence, on the Joshua Morris farm, where, in a
piece of woods, near the road running south, they went into tempo¬
rary camp.

When the morning of the 15th of October broke upon Danville
what a scene was there ! The town in ashes, five of her citizens
killed, the women and children in a state of distraction, the men
fugitives, and no one knew how many of them had been found and
killed. No one had slept through all that night of horrors, and with the
first peep of day came forth women peeping from about the corners
of fences and walking slowly up toward the square casting furtive
glances up and down the streets. The bodies of Diggs and Gilbert
lay in the angle formed by the junction of the street on the east side
of the square with the Boone’s Lick road. The large buildings on
two sides of them had burned and the heat had scorched and black¬
ened their corpses so that they were drawn and twisted and distorted and
presented a frightful appearance. Citizens throughout the country, at
Montgomery City and elsewhere, had seen the smoke of the burning,
and by 8 o’clock many had come in.

The five persons killed were Michael A. Gilbert, unmarried ;
Henry L. Diggs, unmarried ; Dr. Samuel J. Moore, married ; Merrill
S. Simons, married; Ira Chinn, school boy.

Benjamin Palmer was seriously wounded.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

653

THE PURSUIT BY THE MILITIA - KILLING OF FIVE INNOCENT CITIZENS.

As soon as possible after Danville was attacked word was sent to
Wellsville, where Col. Canfield was stationed with the Sixty-seventh
Enrolled Missouri militia, 500 strong. Before sunrise he started
Capt. George Pew and Lieut. James McIntyre, with 50 picked men
armed with double-barreled shot-suns and revolvers, for Danville.
The militia reached Danville in two hours and learned the situation.
After remaining in town till after dinner, they started after the
raiders, swearing vengeance and declaring they would not return
until one or both parties were annihilated. Some 12 or 15 citizens
of Danville volunteered to accompany them and their services were
accepted. The party took the Boone’s Lick road and followed it to
where the road turned south which the guerrillas had taken. The
militia kept on the trail, following it to the Joshua Morris farm.

Near the Boone’s Lick road a guerrilla picket was discovered on
horseback, but succeeded in escaping, although fired at and given a
close chase.

McIntyre and Pew now moved their men down to the vicinity of
Anderson’s camp. Then they turned east, flanking the camp. The
militia now dismounted and while one-fourth of the men were detailed
to hold the horses, the others formed in two lines, the men ten feet
apart, and advanced upon the thicket in which the guerrillas lay.

Within the guerrilla camp were some half a dozen or more citizens
of the county, who had been passing up the road and made prisoners
by the guerrilla pickets and taken before Anderson, who ordered
them detained until he got ready to leave the country that night.

The previous day Capt. Kendrick, of the Rhineland militia, had
ordered F. M. Ellis, John Marlow and Ira Tatung, all reputable citi¬
zens of the neighborhood of New Florence, to haul some rations for
his company from New Florence to Rhineland. They did so, and
while down in the bottom Ellis induced Marlow and Tatum to haul
some corn back with them from a farm which he owned. They
were driving home and in front of the camp were halted by the
guerrillas, made prisoners and their corn taken to feed the hungry,
jaded guerrilla horses.

Christopher Logan, a farmer, living in the southern part of the
township, had left home that morning and gone to New Florence.
He was returning home, when he and his little son were also made
prisoners by Anderson’s men. John Anderson, Mr. Hatton and a
young lad named William Whitesides (now in Saline county) were

654

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

other prisoners held in the guerrilla camp. It is believed that all of
the prisoners save Marlow lived south of New Florence.

Anderson had been warned by his faithful sentinel of the approach
of the militia and his men were all saddled up and mounted when
they appeared in sight. The guerrilla leader, for some reason, gave
the order to retreat, and when the firing began the guerrillas re¬
treated in great confusion and disorder, leaving behind much plun¬
der.

The militia advanced directly into the camp, firing and cheering.
The citizen prisoners were in a sad plight. They were between two
fires, for some of the guerrillas were shooting back. Young White-
sides sprang over the fence, the bullets buzzing about his ears in
every direction. He and F. M. Ellis made their escape.

But alas ! for the other unfortunate, innocent men ! John Ander¬
son, Hatton, Marlow, Tatum and Logan were all killed ! All but
Logan were shot down in the camp. The militia allege that they
were mistaken for bushwhackers, and that it was impossible to dis¬
tinguish them amid the brush and the confusion incident to the occa-
sion. But two of the men were killed deliberately. Christopher
Logan had been wounded and was sitting in the fence corner holding
his son in his arms, when he was fired on by a militiaman and given
a mortal wound ; as to the killing of John Marlow there are two dif-
ferent accounts.

After it was discovered that the guerrillas had fled entirely the

militia gathered up seven of their horses and plunder taken from the
stores, etc. Some revolvers were also found. The body of John
Marlow, who was not yet dead, was put into a wagon and hauled to
New Florence, whither the troops now repaired. At New Florence
the body was delivered to Mrs. Marlow. Mr. Marlow died the next
day, October 16, 12 o’clock. He was aged 36, and left a wife and

seven children. The bodies of the other unfortunate men who were
killed were buried by their friends and broken-hearted families.

The militia went from New Florence to Wellsville. South of
Wellsville they met Col. Canfield with the balance of the regiment.
The next morning Lieut. McIntyre, at the head of a picked company,
started again, and taking up the guerrilla trail at the scene of the
fight, he followed it into Callaway county, and was in the saddle for
three days and nights.

After being routed by the Wellsville militia, Anderson and his
band rode rapidly westward, crossed the Loutre at or near the Baker

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

655

ford, and soon after struck a road that lead to Readsville. The next
morning they were in Callaway. Passing on up the Missouri river,
Anderson robbed Glasgow, after its capture by Clark and Shelby, and
proceeding still westward, he was killed, October 27, 13 days after
he burned Danville, at a point near Orrick, or Camden, in Ray
county. The killing was done by the Daviess county militia, under
Col. Cox and Maj. Grimes. Six human scalps were found attached to
his horse’s bridle, and on his body were six revolvers, $300 in gold,
$150 in silver, two gold watches and some orders from Gen. Price.

CHAPTER X.

LEADING EVENTS FROM 1865 TO 1870.

Enrolling in the Militia — “Richmond has Eallen ” — The War Over — A Robber
Raid — Al. Gentry’s Expedition into Callaway and Eight with, and Defeat by Bush¬
whackers — Encounter with Barker’s Bushwhackers at Sayer’s Mill — Killing of
Sergt. Bunch — Adoption of the “ Drake ” Constitution — Help for the Suffering
South — The Political Campaign of 1866-67 — Fatal Affrays — Building the Present
Court House — 1868 — The Political Campaign — Presidential Election, 1868.

1865 - ENROLLING IN THE MILITIA.

By an act of the Legislature, approved February 10, 1865, all adult
male inhabitants of the State, except under certain exemptions, were
made liable to enrollment in the militia of the State and subject to
military duty. An enrolling officer was appointed for each county and
the able bodied male citizens over 18 vears of age and under 45 were
required to attend upon his order for the purpose of enrollment. In
Montgomery county, Capt. L. A. Thompson was appointed enrolling
officer, and in March he issued notice by posters to the men of the
county, stating that he would be at certain places on certain dates
for the purpose of enrolling all male inhabitants between specified
ages, etc.

There was a very general response to the call and a full enrollment.
Some time afterwards, July 18, Gov. Fletcher commissioned L. A.
Thompson, colonel and Wm. P. Fisher, lieutenant-colonel of the Seven¬
ty-third M. M., or Montgomery county regiment; but the positions
were merely nominal, as the regiment was never mustered.

‘ £ RICHMOND HAS FALLEN ! ’ ’

About the first of April news came that Gen. Lee’s army in Virginia
was in a bad way. April 9, four years, lacking three days, from the
capture of Ft. Sumpter by the Confederates, Gen. Lee surrendered to
Gen. Grant at Appomattox. A few days previously Richmond had
been occupied by the Federal troops, and when this intelligence was
received there was the wildest rejoicing among the Unionists of the
county. Even many of Confederate sympathies were not sorry that
peace was in prospect, though the terms might not have been to their
liking.

(656)

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

657

The hearts of the Southern sympathizers of the county now sank
heavily, for it was apparent that defeat, utter and complete and over¬
whelming, would soon overtake those who followed the stars and
bars. The Confederate people of the county became reconciled to
the inevitable, and waited with resignation, for the end.

And the end soon came. A few days after Lee had surrendered to

Grant, Gen. Joe Johnston’s army surrendered to Gen. Sherman, .and

May 13, Kirby Smith’s Trans-Mississippi army, except a portion of

Shelby’s brigade and some other Missourians, gave up to Canbv.

Gen. Price, Gen. Shelby and certain other Confederate Missourians

to the number of 500 or more went to Mexico for awhile. Verv soon

thereafter the Confederate soldiers began to return to their Missouri
homes. The returned Confederates, having fought a good fight and
been fairly defeated, philosophically accepted the situation and set to
work to retrieve lost time and mend their broken fortunes. That is,
those who did return. For many a Montgomery county soldier who
wore the gray lost his life in the cause he deemed right, and filled a
grave in the Sunny South.

A ROBBER RAID - AL. GENTRY’S EXPEDITION INTO CALLAWAY AND FIGHT

WITH AND DEFEAT BY BUSHWHACKERS.

Notwithstanding the war was over there were a great many acts of
lawlessness perpetrated in this county in the spring and summer of
this year. The war had demoralized people until those of them who
were depraved by nature became inexpressibly bad. The same was
true of other parts of Missouri. Bands of men combined for the sole
purpose of plunder and robbery, and in the defenseless condition of
many of the people — their arms having been seized by the military
authorities — there was a fine field for their operations.

About the 5th of May, 1865, Capt. Samuel W. Hopkins, of the
Montgomery and Warren militia (“Fletcher’s militia”), stationed at
Warren ton, received word that a band of bushwhackers or brigands
was operating in the southern part of Callaway county, and that it was
threatening and encroaching upon the western part of Montgomery.
The captain called for volunteers acquainted with the country to go
up and assist the authorities of Callaway in suppressing the
marauders.

Albert Gentry, a Montgomery county man, and an ex-member of
Co. C, Ninth Missouri State militia, volunteered, and with him four
or five others. The party set out under the leadership of Gentry, all
well mounted and armed. At Danville they stopped, and remained

658

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

all night, the guests of Co. L, Ninth Missouri State militia. Here
Laban Ford, a citizen, volunteered to accompany them. Leaving
Danville quietly, the men made their wav by well known but not open
routes to Thomas Cole’s, two miles south-east of Readsville, in the
territory where the bushwhackers were reported.

Here Gentry and his men concealed themselves in the woods all that
day and the following night, watching the roads for the brigands. The
next morning they moved to Capt. Smith’s, two miles north of Reads¬
ville, where they again concealed themselves in the woods and watched
the roads that day and the following night. Monday morning, May 8,
the men mounted and rode up to Readsville. Here they learned that
some suspicious characters had crossed the river at Portland, and that
they had bridles but no horses. Conjecturing that they were horse
thieves Gentry concluded to go down and try to head them off. He
first went to the residence of William Davis, west of Readsville.
Here Joseph Davis, a son of William Davis, and William Hutz volun¬
teered to go with the party. Hutz was a son-in-law of William Davis
and a former member of Co. C, Ninth Missouri State militia.

Gentry and his party, now composed of himself, Laban Ford,
Richard McCarty, Wick Miller, David Hall, Madison Filkins, William
Hutz, and Joseph Davis, eight men in all, moved on, and three and a
half miles west of Readsville, near Jackson’s mill, they met twelve
men, part of whom were dressed in Federal blue, and all heavily
armed, chiefly with revolvers. It is claimed and believed that Ab.
Barker was the leader.

Each party halted the other, and a parley ensued between the com¬
manders, who rode out midway between the two commands. The
two parties, however, agreed to unite their forces and go in pursuit of
the thieves and bushwhackers. They started off together, eight of the
Gentry party riding in couples with the same number of Barker ’s
party, and four of the latter in the rear. Gentry and Barker rode
side by side in front. Gentry agreed to turn back, and the cavalcade
rode about two and a half miles in an easterly direction, passed Jack¬
son’s mill, and there saw some citizens whom Gentry had left in
Readsville with instructions to stay there until the afternoon. The
men were chatting pleasantly together, laughing occasionally, and
seemed to be old friends well met.

At a point in the road about two miles south of Readsville, on the
head of Tavern creek, and about 100 yards from the residence of John
Gill, Barker suddenly placed his pistol in Gentry’s face and called
out “ Surrender /” Immediately the other members of Barker’s

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

659

band opened on Gentry’s men with revolvers, and William Hutz and
Wick Miller were killed instantly. Miller was shot through the
heart and Hutz through the brain. David Hall was wounded in
the mouth and side ; Joseph Davis was shot through the shoulder ;
Laban Ford surrendered ; Dick McCarty handed his gun to a
bushwhacker named Dempsey, and three galloped away. All who
were not killed outright put spurs to their horses and fled, the bush¬
whackers, all disguise thrown off now, chasing them and firing upon
them.

Madison Filkins was chased into John Gill’s door yard and there
killed. This was the same Filkins who was one of the militia that
shot John Marlow at the time of the Anderson raid.

Gentry and Barker had a hand to hand fight, and Gentry was
worsted. When Barker presented his revolver Gentry caught it, and
a struggle resulted. Gentry secured the pistol but was dismounted,
and on the ground was shot in the hand and forced to drop it. Gentry
then started to run across a field, but before he reached the woods and
a safe retreat was struck by balls — in the back, head, arms, hands,
and shoulders. He made his way to Martin Huddleston’s, where his
wounds were dressed and attended to by Dr. Mills, who had been a
surgeon in the Confederate army.

The bodies of Hutz, Miller and Filkins were cared for by a party of
five returned ex-Confederate soldiers, who were also out in pursuit of
the bushwhackers and horse thieves, and came up soon afterward.
The friends of the dead men then came and took them awajr.

After the encounter was over the bushwhackers took their solitary
prisoner, Laban Ford, and repaired to Garrell’s mill, where they re¬
mained till dark. The leader then demanded that Ford should o-uide

them across Montgomery county that night. Ford now lives in Dan¬
ville, but refuses to give any particulars for publication — whether
from motives of modesty or of another character is not known — but
he has stated to others that he led the bushwhackers across Loutre
at Bibb’s farm, below Mineola, and came into the Boone’s Lick road,
just east of Danville, at Marion Baker’s farm. They then passed east
to near New Florence, when they took the old Troy road and went
over in the Elkhorn bottom, where they told Ford he was at liberty to
go home. But instantly they began riding about him in a circle and
presently opened fire on him. He rode a fractious mare, and the
animal “bucked” and threw him into the Elkhorn. He was badly
wounded in the thigh, and his fall into the water saved him. The
bushwhackers thought he was drowned ; but it was dark, and catching

660

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

to some roots in the bank he held his head above water until the
brigands left.

Barker, who stated to some persons that he was Jim Anderson, a
brother of Bill Anderson, led his band down into St. Charles county,
then around through Lincoln and back through the northern part of
Montgomery, crossing the North Missouri below Wellsville, still going
westward.

ENCOUNTER WITH BARKER’S BUSHWHACKERS AT SAYER’S MILL - KILLING

OF SERGT. BUNCH.

It was two weeks after Gentry’s encounter with Ab. Barker before
the latter crossed the railroad below Wellsville, going westward.
Monday, May 22, his band, now numbering but 11, crossed the North
Missouri a mile and half south-east of town, and took dinner at Mr.
Winder’s. As soon as they had gone a messenger ran to Wellsville
and gave the alarm.

Fifteen citizens of Wellsville formed a party at once, armed them¬
selves, and under the leadership of Ben F. Waters started out at once
in pursuit. This party was composed of Ben F. Waters, J. B.
Clarkson, T. M. Clarkson, Ollie Duff, H. W. Hawker, G. W. Pigg,

Wm. Wilson, James Wilson, - Steiner, George Mudd, Robert

Winder, John McIntyre, S. P. Hayes, Henry Branstetter and Sergt.
James Marion Bunch, who had recently been discharged from Co. D,
Ninth Missouri State militia. There were fifteen in all, but half a
dozen were mere boys not more than 15 or 16 years of age.

The party took the trail at Bent. Lewis’, struck the Jefferson City
road at the crossing of Little Loutre, and came upon the bushwhack¬
ers at Mrs. Sayers’ mill, six miles west of Wellsville, in Callaway
county. The bushwhackers had gone into camp in Mrs. Sayers’ barn,
which was a double log structure, with an entry between, and stood
on top of a commanding hill. They barricaded this entry with feed
troughs and fence rails on the approach of the citizens. The latter
formed and charged at once, but without much system or manage¬
ment and a hot fire being opened on them they were easily repulsed.

The majority of Wafers’ party retreated and opened a harmless fire
on the log fort of the brigands. Sergt. Bunch, however, fell back
only a short distance and fired only once or twice, when a desperate
guerrilla ran out from the barn and shot him in the groin, giving him
a mortal wound. He was taken to the house of Stephen Manning,
two miles from the fight, and died the next day, leaving a wife and
children. After the shooting of Bunch, and seeing he could effect

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

661

nothing, Waters drew off his party, and they returned to Wells-
ville.

The guerrillas kept on westward, and at Price’s, near Stephens’
Store, on Cedar creek, they were met, a few days later, by a detach¬
ment of 25 of Co. M, Ninth Missouri State militia, sent across from
Mexico to intercept them, and were totally defeated and routed. Five
of them were killed, five captured, and Gentry’s and Ford’s horses
were recovered and returned to them.

ADOPTION OF THE “DRAKE” CONSTITUTION.

On the 18th of April, 1865, the State Convention, by a vote of 38
to 13, framed an entirely new constitution of the State, which was to
be presented to the voters for adoption on the 6th of June. For this
constitution. Dr. W. B. Adams, the delegate from Montgomery voted.
The canvass which succeeded was one of great bitterness. All of
those who had participated in, or given any sort of voluntary aid or
encouragement to the rebellion or the Confederate cause, were, by
the third section of the proposed new constitution, debarred from
voting or holding office, as well as from teaching, preaching, practic¬
ing law, etc. And all such were prohibited from voting for or
against the adoption of the constitution. Hundreds of our tax-payers,
many of them old and honored citizens, non-combatants during the
war and men of education and influence,* were disfranchised by the
third section, and denied the privilege of the ballot in the decision
of the great issue before the State — that issue being the adoption
or rejection of an organic law, which was to govern them and their
children after them.

On the other hand, the Radicals and friends of the new constitution
maintained that citizens who, by overt or covert acts, had attempted
to destroy their government; who had, by fighting against the Fed¬
eral government, “ committed treason,” or in deeds, words and sym¬
pathy, given encouragement to those who had, were not and could not
be proper recipients of the ballot. It was further alleged that, had
the Confederate armies succeeded, and Missouri become in fact and

indeed one of the Confederate States, then every Union man in the

State might have considered himself truly fortunate if he had been
allowed to live in Missouri ; that no Union soldier, or militiaman, or
those who had sympathized with either, would have been allowed a
vote; and that, in all probability, Gen. Price’s threat, made in the
fall of 1861, would have been carried out — and the $250,000,000
worth of property belonging to the Union people of the State would

662

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

have been confiscated for the benefit of those who had remained loyal
to the Confederate cause, and suffered thereby, etc., etc.

In the whole State only 85,478 votes (including soldiers’ votes)
were cast at the election adopting the new constitution, as follows:
For, 43,670; against, 41,808; majority for, 1,862 — a very small
majority, indeed, to decide so important a question. The constitu¬
tion went into effect on the 4th of July following.

TRIAL OF ONE OF ANDERSON’S GUERRILLAS FOR THE MURDER OF

DR. SAM’L J. MOORE.

In the fall of the year 1865 John T. Hubbard, one of Bill Ander¬
son’s guerrillas, who was present at the time of the burning and
sacking of Danville, w&s arrested and placed in confinement here. In
November (29th), 1865, he, “with others unknown,” was indicted
for the murder of Dr. Samuel J. Moore, October 14, 1864 — the time
of the Danville raid. It was rather clearly shown that he was one of
the parties that shot the doctor and then beat him over the head.
Benjamin Palmer, who was shot through the shoulder at the time
of the raid, was foreman of the grand jury which found the
bill. Really two bills were found, both for the murder of Dr. Moore.

Hubbard was arraigned at the time of the finding of the indict-
ment, pleaded “ not guilty,” and on his motion a change of venue
was granted him and the case was sent to St. Charles county. Hon.
T. J. C. Fagg was the circuit judge and E. P. Johnson the circuit
attorney at the time. Upon the trial of Hubbard at St. Charles he
was acquitted.

HELP FOR THE SUFFERING SOUTH.

In the spring and summer of 1866 there was considerable destitu¬
tion and suffering in Alabama, Mississippi and other Southern States
over which the fire of war had passed, and relief was furnished the
people from abroad. Associations were formed in the country, having
for an object the aid of the indigent in the stricken Southern dis¬
tricts. In some quarters there was an extra sympathy felt for these
unfortunates, because it was known that their misfortunes had in part
befallen them by reason of the part they had taken in behalf of the
Southern cause.

In Montgomery county an association, called the Southern Aid
Society, was formed by a meeting held first at Montgomery City, in
July. The proceedings of this meeting are still of record. Another
meeting was held at New Florence on July 28 following, at which time

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

663

it was resolved that a county fair should be held at Montgomery City
on the 17th of September following, to be continued from day to day
until the work was completed, for the purpose of raising funds for the
purpose indicated by the name of the society. The fair came oft at
Montgomery City, in the college, in September, and realized about $900.

THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN OF 1866.

In the political campaign of 1866, in Montgomery county, the first
after the war, the parties were the Radical Republicans and the oppo¬
sition to them which took the name of Conservatives. The latter were
chiefly old Democrats or pro-slavery men, war Democrats and mode¬
rate Republicans.

For an “ off year ” the political canvass in Montgomery was very
spirited. The Conservatives had “ Johnson clubs ” at Montgomery
City, New Florence, and Middletown, and during the summer they
secured the attendance of Gen. Frank P. Blair, who delivered a speech
at Montgomery City. The following were the county tickets : —

Radical Union Ticket — For Congress, G. W. Anderson, of Pike ;
for Senator, W. B. Adams, of Montgomery ; for Representative, L.
A. Thompson ; for Sheriff*, William McCormack ; for Circuit Clerk,
S. T. Sharp ; for County Clerk, John W. Ellis ; for County Judges,
A. F. Trainer, G. Lensing, T. McIntyre ; for Assessor, W. P. Fisher ;
for Surveyor, H. Greer; for Treasurer, L. H. Riggs ; for Registrar,
D. M. Draper; for Supt. Com. Schools, J. T. Gleason.

Conservative Union Ticket — For Congress, W. F. Switzler, of
Boone; for State Senate, R. A. Campbell, of Pike; for Legislature,
George Dillon ; for Sheriff, John Cope ; for Circuit Clerk, S. W.
Ham mack ; for County Clerk, J. T. Hunter; for County Judges, G.
W. Hammett, J. B. Johnson, B. F. Clark; for Assessor, James B.
Adams; for Supervisor, Sol. Hart; for Supt. Com. Schools, J. R.
Hance ; for Treasurer, D. R. Knox; for Coroner, Thompson Bunch.

The number of registered voters in the county was 960. The Repub¬
licans carried the county by a large majority of all the votes cast.
The following was the result of the election, Radical candidates
marked R., Conservative candidates marked D., for Democrats, as
they all were : —

GENERAL ELECTION, 1866.

Congress — Geo. W. Anderson, R. 573; W. F. Switzler, D. 302.
State Senate — W. B. Adams, R., 571; R. A. Campbell, D., 298.
Representative — L. A. Thompson, R., 564; Geo. Dillon, D., 304.
Circuit Clerk — Sam T. Sharp, R., 590; S. W. Hainmack, D., 288.

664

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

County Clerk — Jno. W. Ellis, R., 546; Benj. Palmer/ D., 319.
County Judges — Republicans: A. F. Trainer, 569; James Mclntire,
520; T. B. Dutton, 575. Democrats: S. W. Hammett, 297 ; J. B.
Johnson, 296; B. F. Clark, 278. Sheriff — Wm. McCormack, R.
594; Jno. C. Cope, D., 284. Assessor — W. P. Fisher, R., 581;
James A. Adams, D., 291. County Treasurer — L. H. Riggs, R.,
572; D. R. Knox, D., 304. School Commissioner — J. T. Gleason,
R., 587 ; J. R. Hance, D., 285. Register of Voters — D. M. Draper,
R., 576 ; Sol. Hart, D., 396.

In the congressional district the vote stood as follows, by counties: —

Anderson.

Switzler.

•

Anderson.

Switzler.

Audrain . . .

. 242

578

Monroe

165

234

Boone ....

. 178

636

Pike . .

• •

maj . 252

Callaway . . .

. 163

1,463

Ralls . .

• •

maj. 75

Lincoln . . .

. 481

483

St. Charles

. 1,244

954

Montgomery

. 573

302

Warren

. . 794

310

Totals . .

. . 3,837

4,987

Anderson’s vote

. . 3,837

Switzler’s official

majority

. . 1,150

But notwithstanding Switzler’s majority on the face of the returns
the Secretary of State, then Francis Rodman, threw out enough of
his votes, on the ground of illegal voting, to declare that he was not
elected, and the certificate of election was given to Hon. Geo. W.
Anderson. Switzler contested, but the seat was retained bv Ander-
son.

1867 - FATAL AFFRAYS.

During the year 1867 two fatal affrays occurred in the county, the
particulars of which were reported in current numbers of the Mont¬
gomery City Independent. The first was the killing of Peter Gren-
nan, July 4, under the following circumstances : —

Grennan had been divorced from his wife the previous fall, and on
the day of the tragedy went to her father’s to persuade her to return
home with him. She was at Jno. C. Flood’s house, and learning of
this fact, Grennan went there, but was met with a refusal upon the
part of his wife to listen to his request. After some trouble between
Grennan and Flood, the latter left, with his wife, for Alvin Cobb’s and
upon his returning found Grennan endeavoring by force to get Mrs.
G. from the yard. Cobb interfered to protect Mrs. Grennan when
Grennan fired two shots, wounding Cobb in the leg and hand. Cobb
then threw Grennan and while holding him down Flood secured the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

665

pistol and shot Grennan through the neck, from the effects of which
he died in a few moments. Flood and Cobb were both acquitted on
the ground of justifiable homicide.

Thursday, December 12, John Burton killed James Wooley, near
Price’s branch. The Independent gave the following particulars : —

We are informed that the cause of the difficulty was Mr. Wooley had
used Mr. Burton’s horse in his wagon to New Florence, and returning
home in the evening, Burton accused him of driving the horse too fast.
He denied it, and the lie passed between them, when Burton struck
Wooley with a stake from a wood rack, breaking the skull just over the
ear; Wooley died next morning at five o’clock. Burton saddled his
horse and left immediately. His brother started after, and found
him at Marthasville and brought him back. * * *

Since the above was written we have learned that he has been
bailed out in the sum of $2,000 for his appearance at the next Circuit
Court.

BUILDING THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE.

In the fall of 1865 the county court took steps to build the present
court house at Danville. October 12th the contract was let by A. C.
Stewart, commissioner of public buildings, to James Getty, of St.
Louis, for the completion of the entire building for the sum of
$27,700, payable quarterly. The architect was Gustave Bachmann.
The building was completed and occupied by the county officials about
the 1st of August, 1867. Owing to certain modifications of the
original plans, the sum of $388 was deducted from the contract price.
The building is a very creditable job, and considering the time when
it was built the price was not at all unreasonable. The jail, which is
within the court-house building, was built by T. R. Pullis & Son, of
St. Louis, for $709.

1868 - THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

This was the first Presidential year since the war, and, although
hundreds of men were disfranchised, it was largely participated in
by all classes. The Republicans, owing to the operation of the Drake
constitution, were largely in the majority, but the Democrats were
zealous and plucky. The Democratic candidates were Horatio Sey¬
mour and Frank P. Blair, and the Republicans nominated Gen. U. S.
Grant and Schuyler Colfax.

This year the greenback question came to the fore. The Democratic
National Convention had resolved in favor of the payment of the 5-20
bonds of the government in greenbacks or “ lawful money,” and the
idea was popular in this county.

666

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The Democrats knew that they were hopelessly in the minority un¬
less they could induce the Republican registrars to give them what
they termed a “ liberation registration,” when, possibly, enough ex-
Confederate sympathizers (or those accused of being such) might be
allowed to vote to give them the victory. Certain individuals, in¬
censed at being disfranchised, threatened the registrars with violence,
and sometimes trouble was feared.

The following was the vote of this county at the Presidential Elec¬
tion, 1868 : —

President — Grant,* 708; Seymour, 476. Governor — McClurg,*
688; Phelps, 491 ; Congress — Dyer,* 697; Switzler, 492. State
Senator — W. B. Adams,* 649 ; Thos. M. Carroll, 502 ; Representa¬
tive — L. A. Thompson,* 601; John D. Sharp (anti-Negro Suffrage
Radical), 363 ; John S. Plunkett (Ind.) — . Sheriff and Collector —
R. J. McCormack,* 641 ; D. F. Knox, 512. Negro Suffrage — Yes,
403 ; No, 727. Removal of County Seat to Montgomery City — Yes,
611 ; No, 496.

T. B. Dutton, Radical, was defeated by B. F. Clark, Democrat, for
county judge, by 120 majority.

It will be noted that the Radicals carried this county, electing all
but one of their candidates. It will be noted, furthermore, that the
majority against negro suffrage was over 200, showing that many
Radical JRepublicans were at that time opposed to granting the right
of the ballot to the black man. The amendment to the constitution
to strike the word white from the article on suffrage was proposed by
Senator Winters, of Marion county, February 12, 1868. It passed
the Senate 12 days later by a vote of 19 to 7, Adams, of Montgomery,
favoring. March 7th it passed the House, 74 to 46, Thompson, of
Montgomery, favoring. In the State this year the Radical majority
on the vote for Governor was 19,327, and the majority against striking
the word “ white” out of the constitution was 18,817. Grant’s ma¬
jority over Seymour was 25,883.

Switzler received a majority of the votes of the district over Dyer,
but was again counted out, on the ground that his majority was com¬
posed of “ rebel ” votes. A second time he contested, but the case
was decided against him in the Republican Congress.

* Radical candidates.

CHAPTER XI.

MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS FROM 1870 TO 1884.

The Political Canvass of 1870 — Robbery of Steck’s Store on Loutre Island — Organi¬
zation of Municipal Townships — Killing of Patrick Cain by James J. Douglass —
Census of 1880 Compared with 1870 — Robbery in Loutre Township by the Day
Gang — The Trouble with the “ King Boys,” near Americus, in Loutre Township —
Murder of Mrs. Austin — Death of George Baughman, 44 The Montgomery County
Hermit” — Principal Elections from and Including 1872 to 1884.

THE POLITICAL CANVASS AND ELECTION OF 1870.

No more important or exciting political contest ever came off in
Montgomery county than that in 1870. The contest was between the
regular Republicans or 4 4 Radicals ” on the one side, and the Liberal
Republicans and Democrats on the other, and this contest extended
throughout the State.

The questions of universal amnesty and enfranchisement, of the
repeal of the Missouri 44 iron-clad ” test oath for voters, jurors, min¬
isters, lawyers, teachers, etc., were rapidly sowing the seeds of
discord and disintegration in the Republican party of the State, and
dividing it into two wings, the Radicals and Liberals. The former,
led by Charles D. Drake, maintained the extreme and harsh policy,
and the latter, headed by B. Gratz Brown and Carl Schurz, con¬
tended for the more magnanimous policy in regard to those who, by
word or deed, or both, had held complicity with the rebellion.

Owing to the test oath prescribed by the Drake constitution, and
the very stringent registry laws passed to enforce it, the Democrats
were in an almost hopeless minority at the polls, and therefore had
little or no voice in the direction of public affairs. As was natural,
fewer Confederates or their sympathizers were Republicans ; their dis¬
franchisement by the Republicans kept them from becoming voters,
and embittered them against the authors of their condition. There
being but two parties, they were forced therefore to sympathize with
the Democrats, even had many of them not been at heart of that faith
for years before the war.

Hoping to gain the ascendancy in the State by the acquisition of
the disfranchised Confederates, rehabilitated with the elective fran¬
chise, through a repeal and destruction of the constitutional and legal

(667)

668

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

barriers which interposed between them, the policy of the Democrats
was first to divide and then to conquer the Republicans. To accom¬
plish this, no way seemed so hopeful of favorable results as “the
passive policy” — or, as it was popularly called, “the ’possum
policy ” — which signified the withdrawal of the Democratic party as
an organization from the canvass of 1870, and the co-operation of its
members individually with the Liberal Republicans as allies. It was
apparent that, once the disfranchising clause of the constitution should
be removed, the Democratic party would come speedily into power,
and once in power and place, it would be secure in the possession
thereof for an indefinite period, intrenched behind the huge majority
it would have.

The Republican State convention met August 31, and of course
nere was a split. The Liberals, headed by Carl Schurz, withdrew
from the convention and organized another, nominating B. Gratz
Brown for Governor and Col. J. J. Gravelly1 for Lieutenant Gov¬
ernor, on a platform unequivocally in favor of the adoption of the
amendments proposed to the constitution by the previous Legislature,
to be voted on at the coming election, and commonly called the
suffrage and office-holding amendments. The Radicals nominated
Joseph W. McClurg for re-election on a platform favoring “ re-en¬
franchising those justly disfranchised for participation in the rebellion
as soon as it can bejdone with safety to the State f and recognizing
the right of any member of the party to vote thereon as he pleased.
McClurg personally favored re-enfranchisement. Then the canvass
opened.

The amendments carried this county by an overwhelming majority,
onlv an insignificant vote being cast against them. In the State they
were adopted by a majority of more than 100,000. Brown defeated
McClurg by 41,038. In this congressional district the vote stood :
Blair, 11,682; Hayward, 0,143.

ROBBERY OF STECK’S STORE ON LOUTRE ISLAND.

The Montgomery City Ray, of September 19, 1872, contained the
following account of the robbery of Steck's store, opposite the Her¬
mann ferry landing, on Loutre Island :

The most daring robbery that has alarmed this community since
the war, was committed in Steck’s store on Loutre Island last Satur-
dav evening the 14th. At about mid-twilight Stock closed his store

V-/ C

1 Coi. W. E. Gilmore, of Greene county, was at first nominated, but was found to
be ineligible by reason of his brief residence in the State.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

669

and went a short distance to his house to supper. While there three
unknown men called and asked to be taken across the river. Steck’s
son started to the river to prepare his skiff, followed by them. They
had gone but a short distance before one of the men said he wanted
to buy something to eat, and while young Steck was arranging the
skiff, they all three went to the store. Steck went in to wait on, as
he supposed, three honest customers. One of them stood at the
store door and the other two went in and placed their revolvers at
Steck’s head, saying “ Stand still and be quiet.” One of them kept
in that position, while the other went to a small desk behind the
counter and took out a tin box in which there was $675, and then took
$25 from the money drawer. When they had about finished their
work with him, Dr. Duncan, residing in the neighborhood, came in
and called for some quinine, when one of the robbers answered that
they wanted quinine also, and at the same time drew a revolver on
him telling him to give up his money. The Doctor gave them $70 — all
he had. And with the sum of $770 the thieves left for parts un¬
known. The tin box was found next day, about two miles from the
store, broken open.

Arthur McCoy, a celebrated scout, belonging to the Confederate
Gen. Jo Shelby’s command during the war, was suspected of having
planned this robbery, but was never tried for the offense. He lived
at the time in the lower part of the township, near the scene.

A year or two later some men came to McCoy’s to arrest him for
alleged complicity in the train robberies of the Jesse James gang.
He contrived to “get the drop ” on them, however, made them lay
down their arms and get away. Some time afterward McCoy himself
left the country.

ORGANIZATION OF MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS.

January 17, 1872, the county court proceeded to divide Montgom¬
ery county into six municipal townships. Previously there had been
but five, but now a new one was created out of Danville, Upper
Loutre and Prairie, and called Montgomery. As fixed by the county
court, the boundaries of the several townships were as follows: —

Prairie Township. — Beginning at the north-east corner of section
5, township 50, range 3, running thence west along the county line
between Montgomery and Pike county, and Montgomery and Audrain
county, to the north-west corner of section 4, township 50, range 5 ;
thence south to the south-west corner of section 4, township 49, range
5 ; thence east to the south-east corner of section 5, township 49,
range 3 ; thence north, along the county line between Montgomery
and Lincoln county, to the place of beginning.

Upper Loutre. — Beginning at the north-east corner of section 5,
township 50, range 5 ; thence west along the county line between

670

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Montgomery and Audrain county, to the north-west corner of section

6, township 50, range 6 ; thence south along the county line between
Montgomery and Audrain, and Montgomery and Callaway county, to
the south-west corner of section 7, township 49, range 6 ; thence east
to the south-east corner of section 12, township 49, range 6 ; thence
north to the north-east corner of the same section; thence east to
the south-east corner of section 5, township 49, range 5 ; thence
north to the beginning.

Bear Creek. — Beginning at the north-east corner of section 8,
township 49, range 3; thence west to the north-west corner of sec¬
tion 7, township 49, range 4; thence south to the south-west corner
of section 7, township 47, range 4 ; thence east along the county line
between Montgomery and Warren county to the south-east corner of

i — » *■ %/

section 8, township 47, range 3 ; thence north along the county line

to the beginning.

Montgomery. — Beginning at the north-east corner of section 12,
township 49, range 5 ; thence west to the north-west corner of section

7, township 49, range 5 ; thence south to the south-west corner of
said section ; thence west to the count}" line between Montgomery and
Callaway county ; thence south along said county line to the south¬
west corner of section 6, township 48, range 6 ; thence east to the
south-east corner of section 1, township 48, range 5 ; thence north to

the beginning.

Danville. — Beginning at the north-east corner of section 12, town-
ship 48, ranged; thence west to the Callaway county line; thence
south along said line to the south-west corner of section 19, township
47, range 6 ; thence east to the south-east corner of section 24, town¬
ship 47, range 5 ; thence north to the beginning.

Loutre. — Beginning at the north-east corner of section 25, town-
ship 47, range 5; thence west to the Callaway county line; thence
south along said line to the middle of the main channel of the Mis¬
souri river ; thence down the middle of said channel to where the
same is intersected by the county line between Warren and Montgom¬
ery county ; thence north along said line to the beginning.

KILLING OF PATRICK CAIN BY JAMES J. DOUGLASS.

On September 1, 1873, the first day of the fair of the People’s
Association at Montgomery City, Pat Cain, a bar keeper for H-
Spinsby, of Spinsby’s Hotel, was shot and killed by J. J. Douglass.
The shooting took place in the bar-room where Cain was employed.
Robert Hayden, a brother-in-law of James Douglass, was with his
relative at the time, and was implicated in the affair. Both were
indicted and arraigned December 1, 1874.

The circumstances, together with a record of the trial in this case,
which follow, have been kindly furnished by Col. L. A. Thompson,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

671

from the files of this newspaper, The Ray , of Montgomery City, and
by A. B. Hunter, Esq., circuit clerk, from the official records.

The case was called December 1, 1874, and at the instance of
defendant the cause was severed, for the purposes of trial, and after
some controversy about the record of a continuance, and also an
application for a new continuance, the case was taken up, as to
Douglass, and a trial entered into.

For the State appeared E. M. Hughes, prosecuting attorney, and
Judge W. O. Forist, of Audrain, and for the defendant appeared
Capt. Stuart Carkener and Hon. Jeff Jones, of Callaway.

The following jurors were selected from a new panel summoned by
agreement to try the case: William Smith, Garland Gibson, Will¬
iam Loyad, Thos. Jones, H. H. Atterbury, John D. Poindexter,
William Penn, J. B. Shelton, William Webb, J. B. Culpeper, Fred
Davault, Benk Renkin.

The defendant admitted the killing of Cain, but claimed that he
did it in self-defense, believing that the deceased made an assault
upon him with a deadly weapon — billiard cue — and was when fired
upon about to do him some great bodily harm.

Judge Forist concluded the examination of witnesses for the State
and Capt. Carkener for the defense.

TESTIMONY.

There was scarcely any substantial difference about the material
facts in the case, but as in all such cases there was some conflict as
to the position and demeanor of the parties, immediately before and
at the time of the commencement of the affray, which proved fatal to
Patrick Cain.

Douglass and Hayden are brothers-in-law, and in the forenoon of
the day the killing occurred, went to the billiard hall and com¬
menced playing at a game called “ pin-pool. ” Patrick Cain, bar¬
tender, and Thomas McDonald, assistant bartender, joined in the
game for a time and withdrew. After several drinks Hayden became
so much intoxicated as to be disagreeably noisy, and in the afternoon
Cain took the balls from the table, but after some parleying gave them
back and the s;ame was resumed. After a short time Douglass sat
his cue down by the counter, and Hayden apparently became “ vexed
with his luck,” commenced knocking the balls about the room and out
through the door ; and at this Cain told them to get out of there, that
he had been troubled with them long enough, and then took the cue
that Douglas had put down, and struck Hayden on the head, and

672

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

then commenced with the same weapon on Douglass. After striking
two blows, Douglass drew a revolver and fired two shots at Cain, and
they clinched and in the skirmish fell to the floor. Hayden came to
the relief of Douglass and caught Cain by the throat and commenced
choking him. McDonald caught Douglass and took him away. Maj.
Spinsby, the proprietor of the hotel came in and told Hayden to “ let
go,” that Cain was dying, but Hayden held on until Spinsby knocked
him loose with a billiard cue. Cain died in about 15 minutes.

There was a slight conflict in testimony only as to whether Douglass
advanced on Cain after Hayden was struck ; also as to the effect of
the blow Cain struck Hayden ; the State claimed that it was harm¬
less, and the defense that it felled him to the floor. A wound on
Hayden’s head, which was dressed by Dr. Caldwell, showed that a
severe blow was driven him, and the State contended that it was the
effect of the blow that Spinsby gave him when knocking him off the
dying man. One witness, L. Dow Hendershott, said that when the
balls were taken off the table Havden started home, and Douglass
went to the door and called him to come back, that he' (Douglass)
had money to pay their way, and if the balls were not returned he
had something that would make livelier times than were usual in that
hall, and at the time drew from his pocket a revolver which he exhib¬
ited, whereupon Hayden returned and the balls were put back on the
table, and five minutes later trouble commenced. And McDonald
said that he thought the parties, Douglass and Hayden, were “ itching
for a difficulty.” But the statement of Hendershott was contradicted
by Thomas Skinner, who was present waiting for a train to return
home.

On Thursday, December 3, the jury reported that they were unable
to agree, and were consequently discharged and the case continued until
the April term, 1876, when, April 28, it was again tried by another
jury, who returned a verdict of “guilty,” fixing the time of impris¬
onment at five years in the penitentiary.

A motion for a new trial was made and sustained. The main cause
urged, was the fact, as alleged, that Wm. J. Sanders, of Middletown,
one of the jurors that decided the case, had expressed an opinion pub¬
licly as to the merits of the case. Of this fact there were several
affidavits, depositions and other testimony.

A change of venue was taken October 24, 1876, and the case sent to
Boone county, where, on trial, Douglass was acquitted. Douglass
and Hayden are both still residents of the county.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

673

CENSUS OF 1880 COMPARED WITH 1870.

The population of the county in 1880 was 16,259, as compared with
the census of 1870, which was 12,275.

By sexes in 1880 the population was : Males, 8,381 ; females, 7,868.
Total number of males of the age of 21 and over, 4,011.

Population as to native and foreign born — Native in 1880, 15,303 ;
in 1870, 9,647. Foreign born in 1880, 946 ; in 1870, 758.

In 1880 the foreigners were born in the following countries : British
America, England and Wales, 147 ; Ireland, 172 ; German Empire,
507 ; Switzerland, 51 ; France, 22 ; miscellaneous, 29.

Censuses Compared.

1880.

1870.

1860.

White .

. 14,332

9,466

8,061

Colored .

. 1,917

939

1,657

Towns and Villages in 1880.

Danville .

391

New Florence . . . .

. . . . . 373 Wellsville ....

867

Montgomery City . .

. 1,165

ROBBERY IN LOUTRE TOWNSHIP BY THE “DAY GANG.”

On the 3d of September, 1881, the house of Martin Wolferman, a
German, living south of Americus, in Loutre township, was robbed
by two masked men of a silver watch, two $20 gold pieces and $530
in greenbacks. Mr. Wolferman was not at home at the time, and the
only persons at the house were his wife and daughter.

Suspicion fell upon a number of men living on Big Tavern creek,
Callaway county, called “the Day gang.” They were Wm. Day,
Jackson Day, Truman Day, Fred Neff, Fred Moody and Marion
Walters. At the October term of the circuit court they were indicted
for the robbery of Mrs. Laura Wolferman, the wife of Martin, of the
property above described. It was believed that while only two were
the actual robbers, the others were accessories.

The “ gang ” fled. Prosecuting Attorney John M. Barker won
quite a reputation for his conduct of the case, in his efforts to secure
the arrest and conviction of the alleged offenders. Three only of
those named above were ever apprehended. Marion Walters was
caught in Northern Illinois, brought back, tried and acquitted. Fred
Neff was arrested in Wright county, Mo., arraigned, and on a plea of
guilty was sentenced to the penitentiary for four years. The case

674

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

against Truman Day was nolle pressed, and Wm. Day, Jackson Day
and Fred Moody have never been arrested, and are still at large.

THE TROUBLE WITH THE “KING BOYS ” NEAR AMERICUS, IN LOUTRE

TOWNSHIP - MURDER OF MRS. AUSTIN.

In the latter part of the year 1881 occurred the celebrated collision
in Loutre township between the King brothers and some German citi¬
zens, which resulted in the killing of one of the King boys and of the
mother-in-law of another, Mrs. Nancy Austin. A correspondent of
the Montgomery City Standard furnished the first intelligence of the
trouble in a communication which was substantially as follows: The
King boys, three in number, were men of anything but enviable repu¬
tation, and were suspected of numerous crimes in the vicinity of
where they lived, though not sufficient evidence had been obtained to
make a certainty of the perpetrators. John Nellison, a German, as
was the custom with that class of foreign-born citizens, kept on hand a
supply of wine for private use. On the evening of December 29, 1881,
the King boys, in passing Nellison’s residence, demanded liquor, which
was refused them. They then began an assault on the house, upon
which action Nellison fired three shots, killing Jack King and wound-
ing one brother. Subsequently, as the bodj' of the deceased was being
prepared for burial, one bright mooulight night, a mob of from 25 to 50
men approached the house andfired into it. In the indiscriminate shoot¬
ing which followed Mrs. Austin, the mother-in-law of Thomas King,
received a ball through her breast and several shots in her back, and
was found dead on the steps when the melee was over. Joe King was
wounded, as was also Mrs. King. Warrants were sworn out against
eight men, charging them with the murder of Mrs. Austin, some of
whom were afterwards arrested. But little attention would have been
paid to the affair save for the killing of Mrs. Austin, as the bad repu¬
tation of the King boys caused many persons to think that they had
met a deserving fate.

At the April term of the Circuit Court, 1882, indictments for
murder in the first degree were found against John, Henry and Ed¬
ward Elsinradt, Henry Westworth, Fritz Hestenbach, Henry Fehlings,
Philip Schroff, Matthias Keep, and five or six other German residents
of the township. The majority of these had been discharged on pre¬
liminary examination ; the sympathy of the community was with
them, and none of them have ever been arrested. Henry Westworth
died, and it is understood that the others left the country and no one
knows or cares to know their whereabouts. The killing of Mrs.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

675

Austin was purely accidental ; the German citizens of Loutre are not
so heartless and cruel as to kill an aged woman purposely and in cold
blood.

Abbie King and Thos. Austin, the latter a son of the murdered
woman, were indicted for assaulting the wife of Fritz Gloe, another
German citizen of the township. They were arrested but gave
bond with G. H. Kallmeyer as surety. They ran away before trial,
however, and their bond was forfeited.

After leaving the county farm the Kings lived at Montgomery City
and Wellsville, at both of which places they had trouble with the
citizens. Their present whereabouts are unknown.

DEATH OF GEORGE BAUGHMAN, “THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY HERMIT.”

About the 20th of February, 1882, a singular character named
George Baughman died in Danville. He was known far and near as
“ the Montgomery county hermit.” The following from the Mont¬
gomery City Standard , of February 24, 1882, gives a correct history
of the old hermit and of the circumstances attending his death : —

Everybody in Montgomery county, no doubt, has either heard of or
seen Geo. Baughman, the hermit, who for nearly thirty years has
lived a solitary life in a cave near Danville, and during all that time
has been searching for gold which he claimed was hidden in the hills
surrounding his abode. His history is briefly as follows : —

Baughman was 65 years of age, and came to this county in 1852
from Carbondale, Ill., where he formerly resided, and where he
owned a good farm. In the spring of that year he in company with
two boys — nephews — started from his home in Illinois in a wagon
drawn by two yoke of oxen, for Pike’s Peak, where gold had been
discovered, and on reaching Loutre Lick, west of Danville, finding
plenty of wood and water, concluded to camp there for a few days to
rest. During his stay there, one yoke of his oxen died, and one
animal of the remaining yoke strayed away. In his search
among the hills for the missing animal, he found the
cave since made famous by his labors, and concluded to re¬
main there. It is situated one and a half miles south of Danville,
near a branch running into Loutre, known as Town branch. He at
once took up his abode in the cave, and commenced his long and fruit¬
less search for gold which he believed was hidden in the hills. He
claimed to be commissioned by the then Emperor of the French to
dig up the gold hidden there, and said the depression in the rocks in
the cave answered the description of the place given by the French
government. One of his nephews soon tired of this mode of living,
and returned to Illinois. The other one remained some two or three
years and he too returned to his home, leaving Baughman alone. Baugh-

676

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

man was a monomaniac on the subject of gold, but on every other subject
conversed rationally. The amount of work done by him during his
long residence in the cave is surprising. He sank some thirty or forty
shafts ranging in depth from 15 to 75 feet, one of them being 75 feet
deep through solid rock, with no tools save an old ax and a shovel.

When he had reached to 75 feet he stopped his work in that shaft,
saving that he had gone to within three feet of the gold and that he would
not take it out until the French Emperor sent troops to protect him
and the money. He then began sinking other shafts, claiming that
other quantities of gold had also been secreted by the French, but he
did not know the exact spot in which it was placed. At one time
he brought to this office a long petition to the Emperor of the French
asking for troops for his protection, and wanted it printed, but the
foreman told him the office was not prepared to do such work, and
he failed to get it printed. His deep shaft at the cave is, and has
been for several years, filled with water. He claimed to have a farm
in Chariton county in this State, and for many years made periodical
visits to that section.

He was of a jovial, sociable disposition, loved company, and was pas¬
sionately fond of playing cards — euchre being his favorite game.
He subsisted by hunting and fishing, and raised his own vegetables
and considerable fruit, and was independent in his mode of living,
and absolutely refused to receive anything as a gift. For several
years past his health was so bad that he was unable to work, and the
county took him in charge, but before he would consent to become
the recipient of the county’s aid it was necessary for his guardian,
D. F. Graham, to inform him that the county was only loaning him
the means of subsistence, and that as soon as he took out his gold he
could repay the loan. Mr. Graham visited him regularly three times
a week for several years, when he resigned his charge and the court
appointed C. M. English, of Danville, to take his place.

After nearly 30 years of toil and privation the troubled spirit of the
Hermit of Loutre weut to rest on Tuesday night last. He died in
Danville where he had been removed by his guardian in order that he
might be better cared for. His remains were buried near the cave
where he had so long lived, and which will long remain as a monu¬
ment to his industry, patience and perseverance in search of what has
wrecked the mind of many others — bright, glittering gold.

PRINCIPAL ELECTIONS FROM AND INCLUDING 1872 TO 1884 - PRESIDEN¬

TIAL ELECTION, 1872.

President — Horace Greeley, D., 1,289; U. S. Grant, R., 1,062.
Governor — Silas Woodson, D., 1,341 ; John B. Henderson, R., 1,073.
Congress — A. H. Buckner, D., 1,355; T. J. C. Fagg, R., 1,070.
State Senator — W. L. Gatewood, D., 1,330; Carroll, R., 975.
Representative — Forshey, D., 1,348; Baker, R., 1,055. Sheriff —
White, D., 1,269; Sharp, R., 1,104. Collector — Clare, D., 1,314;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

677

McNeiley, R., 1,097, Prosecuting Attorney — Hughes, D., 1,374.
Assessor — Thomas, D., 1,338; Puckett, R., 1,075. Treasurer —
Wheeler, D., 1,348; Laughon, R., 1,067. County Judge — Ow-
ings, D., 1,356; Charles, R., 1,051. Surveyor — See, D., 1,411;
Bachman, R., 996. Public Administrator — Cox, D., 1,383; Don¬
aldson, R., 1,029. School Superintendent — McCleary, D., 1,374;
Conklin, R., 1,037. Coroner — Badger, D., 1,358; Peavey, R.,
1,049. Township Organization — For, 536; against, 1,364.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1876.

President — Tilden, D., 1,809; Hayes, R., 1,411. Governor —
Phelps, D., 1,802; Finkelnburg, R., 1,416. Representative — Cope,
D., 1,615 ; Carkener, R., 1,584. Prosecuting Attorney — Hughes, D.,
1,906. County Judge — Cox, D., 1,811 ; Bruner, R., 1,391. Col¬
lector — Nelson, D., 1,673; McCarthy, R., 1,519. Sheriff — Da-
vault, D., 1,837 ; Baker, R., 1,376. Treasurer — Samuel A. Wheeler,
D., 1,902. Public Administrator — Skinner, D., 1,786 ; Meyers, R.,
1,316. Assessor — Thomas, D., 1,676 ; Puckett, R., ,1442. Sur¬
veyor — See, D., 1,548; Lagron, R., 1,506.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1880.

President — Hancock, D., 1,721; Garfield, R., 1,299; Weaver,
G., 343. Congress — A. H. Buckner, D., 1,795; E. G. Haley, R.,
1,758; C. M. B. Thurmond, G., 7. Governor — T. T. Crittenden,
D., 1,691; D. P. Dyer, R., 1,325, L. A. Brown, G., 374. Repre¬
sentative — Sol. Hughlett, D., 1,728; W. T. Wells, R., 1,583.
Collector — E. R. Brown, D., 1,699; S. D. Ham, R., 1,673.
Sheriff — G. W. Gregory, D., 1,850; G B. Aydelott, R., 1,530.
Prosecuting Attorney — J. M. Barker, D., 1,772; T. S. Rockwood,
R., 1,596. Public Administrator — J. F. Ball, D., 1,713 ; S. J. Say¬
lor, R., 1,672. Surveyor — S. W. Hammack, D., 1,737 ; A. Lagron,
R., 1,616. County Treasurer — B. White, Jr., D., 1,721; A.
Laughon, 1,622. Assessor — A. H. Kallmeyer, D., 1,612; E. W.
Pritchett, R., 1,757.

GENERAL ELECTION, 1882.

Judge Supreme Court — Thomas A. Sherwood, D., 1,624; David
Wagner, R., 1,179 ; T. M. Rice, G., 251. Congress — A. H. Buck¬
ner, D., 1,638; Charles Daudt, R., 1,150 ; T. J. McNair, G., 270.
State Senator — A. H. Edwards, D., 1,661. Representative — Sol.
Hughlett, D., 1,602; William Clark, I., 1,395. Circuit Clerh —

678

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Alfred B. Hunter, D., 1,568; E. E. Sharp, I., 1,489. Recorder —
R. L. Whitehead, D., 1,503; E. W. Prichett, I., 1,496. County
Clerk — William L. Gupton, D., 1,669; W. W. Palmer, I., 1,394.
Sheriff — James R. Appling, D., 1,622; S. J. Saylor, I., 1,437.
Collector — J. S. McCleary, D., 1,602; Benjamin Sharp, I., 1,430.
Prosecuting Attorney — James M. Barker, D., 1,618; L. L. Kirk, I.,
1,380. Presiding Judge — Robert Brower, Sr., D., 1,645; Samuel
Miller, I., 1,410. County Treasurer — Benjamin White, D., 1,669 ;
R. T. Adams, I., 1,399. Assessor — D. R. Owings, D., 1,502; John
Mason, I., 1,541. Public Administrator — Thomas J. Powell, D.,
1,627 ; William A. Hogsett, I., 1,473.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1884.

President — Cleveland, D., 1,930; Blaine and Butler, 1,643;
St. John, Pro., 13. Governor — John S. Marmaduke, D., 1,851;
Nicholas Ford, Fusion, 1,656; Jno. A. Brooks, Pro., 78. Con¬
gress — John E. Hutton, D., 1,890; M. G. Reynolds, Fus., 1,689.
Representative — H. W. Johnson, D., 1,964; Wm. B. Adams, R.,
1,612. Sheriff — Jas. R. Appling, D., 2,024; Timothy Cummins,
R., 1,561. Collector — J. S. McCleary, D., 1,999; I. W. Stewart,
R., 1,577. Prosecuting Attorney — Asa P. McCanue, D., 1,712;
Wm. G. Lovelace, R., 1,801. County Treasurer — Isham McMahan,
D., 1,968 ; Daniel Hart, R., 1,622. Msse&sor — Jas. J. Cope, D.,
1,707; Jno. W. Mason, R., 1,833. Surveyor — S. W. Hammack,

D. , 1,902; Arthur Lagron, R., 1,644. Public Administrator —
Thos. J. Powell, D., 1,958. Recorder — Silas Carr, D., 1,947;

E. W. Pritchett, R., 1,617. Restraining Swine — For, 1,505;
Against, 1,288.

CHAPTER XII.

PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — Early Settlement — Murder of Turner Gooch — During

the Civil War — First Troops, Union and Confederate — Country Churches —

Middletown — Location, etc. — Early History — Miscellaneous — Killing of Wm.

Dillon — Incorporation — Newspapers — Churches — Secret Orders.

POSITION AND DESCRIPTION.

This township comprises the north-eastern portion of Montgomery
county, is twelve miles long from east to west, and is seven miles in
width from north to south. Its name is derived from the large quan¬
tity of prairie land it contains, although it has an abundance of timber.

Prairie township is well watered. The Elkhorn, Coon creek, and
other branches of the Cuivre river, flow through in a general direction
from west to east. Bordering the streams the land is broken and
rolling, but generally the soil is good.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

If Charles Wells located at Middletown in 1817, he was undoubt¬
edly the first settler in Prairie township. Settlements were made on
Cuivre in Lincoln county, as early as 1800.

In the year 1804, when Lieut. Z. M. Pike (afterward Brig. -Gen¬
eral, and for whom Pike county was named) ascended the Mississippi,
there were as many as twenty-five families living on the Cuivre.

As is perhaps well known, the word Cuivre is the French word for
Copper , and Cuivre (pronounced “ quiver’’) river really ought to be
called Copper river. The first French found copper along its banks
and so named it.

In 1817 Geo. W. Jameson and Edward Cottle left Clark’s Fort, in
Lincoln county, crossed west Cuivre, and settled about two and one
half miles east of Millwood.1 It is quite probable, therefore, that
others pushed out farther from the main settlements about the same
time.

Wm. Baugh, to whom Mr. Pearson refers in his sketch of Middle-
town as the oldest living settler in the township, settled on section 6,

1 Cambell’s Gazetteer, p. 311.

(679)

680

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

township 49, range 3 and has there lived continuously. Although
aged 88 years at this time, it is said that in the summer of 1884 he
plowed corn nearly all season.

Samuel Crutcher, living two miles east of Middletown, Thos.
Crouch, three miles north, in Pike county, and Richard Cox (colored),
a mile and a half north, are among the old settlers of the township
now living.

THE MURDER OF TURNER GOOCH.

On the night of October 7, 1848, a mysterious assassination was
perpetrated near Middletown. Turner Gooch, a prominent citizen and
farmer, living north-west of Middletown, was the victim, but who the
perpetrator was has never been definitely ascertained.

Mr. Gooch was riding on horseback, on his way home from Middle-
town, when, at a point a mile or more north-west of town, he was
ambushed and fired upon. It seemed that after he was shot and had
fallen his assassin or assassins placed him on his horse and conveyed
the body some distance from the path through the woods, until a
grape vine was encountered stretched across the route. Over this vine
the horse probably stumbled, pitching the body to the ground, where
it was found. When he left town Mr. Gooch whs bearing his rifle
gun, but this was not found at the time. The murderers took Gooch’s
horse a mile away and hid him in a dense thicket, tying him fast. A
week later the poor brute, half famished and emaciated, wore his
halter in two and came home, and the place where he was tied was
discovered afterward. The body of Gooch was found the next even¬
ing after his murder, but what is believed to have been his gun was not
found until a year or so since, when some fragments of a gun were dis¬
covered a mile north of the scene of the tragedy.

Charles Angell, a neighbor of Turner Gooch’s, was accused of the
murder and arrested. On a preliminary examination he was bound
over, but was discharged on a writ of habeas corpus. Not long after¬
ward he left the country. Gooch’s family live in the same neighbor¬
hood where their head was killed.

DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

When the Civil War came on Prairie township was well represented
on both sides. In the early fall of 1861 a number of Union men from
Middletown and vicinity went to Louisiana and joined Capt. McElroy’s
company (H) of Col. Fagg’s regiment of six months’ militia. In 1862
some men enlisted in Capt. Hardin’s company (B), Thirty-second

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 681

Missouri infantry, and in the Thirtieth Missouri. In 1864 Capt. Israel
W. Stewart’s company (B), of the Forty-ninth Missouri infantry, was
made up very largely, almost entirely, from this township, and chiefly
organized at Middletown. Many of those who enlisted in these regi¬
ments died in the far South, and their graves lie in Tennessee, Ala¬
bama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and elsewhere. Among them
may be named John C. Cowan, Burke Cowan and William C. Tully,
of the Thirty-second Missouri. Capt. S. W. Hammack’s company, of
the Sixty-seventh Enrolled militia, was formed in this township in
July, 1862.

The first Confederate or secession troops from this township joined
Col. J. Q. A. Burbridge, of Pike county, when he came through the
township with his battalion on his way to Price’s and Jackson’s army
in June, 1861. Col. Burbridge’s men camped one night at Sheet’s
mill, on the Cuivre, three miles south-east of Middletown. Capt. M.
Y. B. Mosely, of Lincoln county, came through Middletown a few
days later, and camped west of town, with a small company.

Capt. Jo. Payne, of Audrain, and Capt. Bill Myers, of Lincoln, had
men in their companies from this township. Sixteen men from the
vicinity of Middletown joined Myers’ company June 11, 1861. Some
of his exploits in this county are narrated on other pages.

Jo. Payne went off to the regular Confederate army, but Bill Myers
stayed in Missouri, and at last was drowned in the Auxvasse in Calla¬
way county, in the summer of 1864. His body was recovered and
afterward buried at Louisville, in Lincoln county, by the side of his
brother George, who was a captain in the Federal service (Co. F,
Sixty-seventh E. M. M.).

Among the Prairie township men who fell fighting for the lost

O i O O

cause were Joseph Brooks, of Payne’s company, killed at Pea Ridge,
and John B. Bowles, then a captain, who was killed late in the fall of
1864, at Vera Cruz, Douglas county, while attempting to reach the
Confederate lines under Col. Caleb Dorsey.

It is pleasant to record the fact that none of the sickening tragedies
so frequent in Missouri during the war were perpetrated in this county.
Capt. Hammack’s company of Federal militia did much to preserve
the peace, and the captain and his men are yet remembered
for their uniform good conduct. In the fall of 1864 some of Col.
Dorsey’s Confederates robbed Isaac H. Dillon, living five miles south¬
east of Middletown, of $800. This was while Dorsey was in this
country recruiting during the Price raid.

682

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

COUNTRY CHURCHES.

Walnut Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church — Was organized
May 20, 1881, by Revs. J. R. Patton, E. P. Farr and S. M. Bran-
steter. Its constituent members were A. J. Pew, America Pew, J.
M. Davidson, N. E. Davidson, Campbell Maxwell, M. E. Maxwell, T.
A. Pew, Orpha M. Pew, S. K. Cowan, Nancy J. Cowan, Tkos. David¬
son, M. E. Davidson, E. G. Stipp, M. A. Stipp, Eliza Pointlow, G. W.
Pew, Kate Pew, W. M. Sanders, Susan Sanders, Katie S. Pew, Barbara
Cowan, Wm. Fitzgerald, Margaret Fitzgerald, J. A. Brown, Cynthia
Brown, Effie K. Pew, Elizabeth Rogers, C. Cunningham, Samuel
Hasler and J. W. Nally. There are at this writing 43 members. In
1880 the present church building, a frame, was erected at a cost of
$1,000. The ministers who have served this church are Revs. Alex.
Douglas, E. P. Farr and Philander Ingram, who is the present pastor.
The Sabbath-school in connection with the church has 30 scholars,
Campbell Maxwell being its superintendent.

Brush Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church — Located in sec¬
tion 35, township 50, range 4, was organized in 1849. The church
building is frame and was erected in 1852 at a cost of $1,000. The
membership numbers 117. The pastors who have served this congre¬
gation are Revs. E. Downing, William Crockett, George Rice, Jesse
Rodgers, E. Farr, H. Boyd, J. R. Patton, Reuben Williams and E.
L. Uptegrove. The Sunday-school has 40 scholars, its superintendent
being William T. Roley.

Macedonia O. S . Baptist Church — On section 30, township 50,
range 3, was organized in about 1880, with William Triplett, Hannah
Triplett, William Wells, Mary Wells, Elijah Parsons, Sallie Parsons,
Abram Parish, Ann Parish, Thomas Glenn and Lucinda Glenn as its
original members. The present membership is 44. The pastors who
have served this congregation are Jabez Ham, Amos Beck, William
Jones, Rev. Powell and James E. Lee, who is the present pastor.
The present church building was erected in 1870, costing about $700.

MIDDLETOWN,

It is claimed that this village is now the oldest town in Montofom-
ery county, coming into existence some time before Danville. It
stands in a healthful location on the north bank of ’Coon creek, on
the south-east quarter of section 1, township 50, range 5. The town
is well supplied with pure water, easily obtainable.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

683

Middletown is the center of trade of a considerable section, and
being located within one mile of Pike county and a few miles from
Audrain and Lincoln, it enjoys patronage from people of four coun¬
ties ; and this although it is on no railroad or navigable water-course.
A daily mail from St. Louis, and a daily stage line to Wellsville,
places it in communication with the outer world. It is a quiet, cosy
village, of a kind that year by year grows rarer in Missouri and- the
Great West — without a railroad, but with the attractions of peaceful¬
ness, sobriety, opportunities for becoming thrifty and with institutions
or enterprises of value and importance.

Perhaps the best account now obtainable of the early history of
Middletown is the following sketch, written by C. Pearson, Esq.,
the editor of Chips, the Middletown newspaper, and published in that
journal June 5, 1884, a few days before the meeting of the old set¬
tlers, at Frank Graham’s, near Mineola. Mr. Pearson deserves
especial mention and thanks for the sketch, the first of the kind ever
published in a Montgomery county newspaper : —

As the old settlers’ reunion of our county comes off this week, we
thought it a very opportune time to give a short sketch of our part
of the county, the early settlement of Middletown and the vicinity
adjoining, and with that end in view, we cast about us for a person
likely to be familiar with the early history of this neighborhood. As
luck would have it, “Uncle” Jimmie Keith, who lives eight miles
east of here, was in town on Thursday last, and as he is indeed an
early settler, and a man of remarkably good memory, we invited him
into our office for a chat upon the early history of our town.

Mr. James R. Keith was born in the State of Kentucky, July 23,
1805, * * * and jt was in this county that he found his wife, a

Miss Pew, sister to Capt. George Pew and the late Jackson, Dow and
James Pew. Mr. Keith moved to Missouri in 1824, settled on Indian
creek the same year, and has lived there ever since [three miles in
Pike county]. As this countn^ was at that time a wilderness, the
early settlers would visit a long way off, being thrown together in
their trading and milling, and Mr. Keith has been familiar with the
growth of Middletown from the time of the first log hut up to the
present date, having lived all that time within ten miles of the town
and doing much of his trading here.

The first settler here was a man bv the name of Charley Wells,
who, Mr. Keith says, built a cabin on the south bank of ’Coon creek,
just opposite and above the present site of the Myer mills. One of
our local historians, however, says that the Wells cabin was afterward
the building occupied by Stewart Slavens ; while still another con¬
tends that Wells built on the point now occupied by the Myer mills,
and that that point was called “ Charley’s Camp,” when he came here
in 1839. All agree on one point, and that is that one Charley Wells

684

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

built the first cabin here, and the best information we can get as re-

7 O

gards the date locates it at 1817. There were any number of Indians
and buffalo here at that date, and as Wells was a pioneer — and a
bachelor — he followed the game and the red man toward the setting
sun, leaving the neighborhood before the town was really located.

The first farm opened in this vicinity was in September, 1824, and
is the homestead now occupied by the heirs of the late John Johnson
[sec. 7-50-4]. This place was located bv one James Smith, and he
was followed the next April (1825) by his father-in-law, one Keel,
who settled the Milt. Johnson place in the south-eastern part of town
[east half, north-east 12-50-5] , now occupied by Mr. John Robin¬
son.

Another early settler was the late Richard Cox — familiarly known
as “Uncle Dickey” — who settled one mile south-east of town
[east half sec. 11-50-5] on the Wellsville road, in 1829. The farm
is now occupied by Thomas Keithley.

The first house built in the town proper was the cabin occupied at
an early day by the Slavens, and which was bought and afterward
weather-boarded over by the late Dr. C. Pearson. The structure is
still standing, and is the east room of the building now occupied by
Mrs. J. H. Ray and family.

The first business house was built on the site of the present Arcade.
Hotel, and, we believe, was occupied by one Josiah Willbarger, the
gentleman who surveyed the town and laid it off into lots for the
original owners. Right here we would remark, by way of paren¬
thesis, that, from the shape of our buildings, we are led to believe
that diamonds must have been trumps with the survej^or, or that he
was somewhat “ out of kelter ” at the time, as he left our streets in
rather a bad shape. Mr. Willbarger sold out about three years after¬
ward, and went to Texas. At the time of surveying — in 1834 — the
site of Middletown was owned by James Lynn, John Dudgeon and
Stewart Slavens.

About the earliest male settler in this vicinity, who is still living, is
Mr. Samuel Crutcher, who located some time in the 30s on the farm
where he still resides [sec. 5-50-4].

Next to Mr. Crutcher comes Messrs. Thomas Crouch and Cresap
Parker, both of whom are still living near town, though in Audrain
countv. Among the ladies still living we might mention Mrs. John
Tullv and Mrs. Lucretia Yeech, both of whom came here some time
in the 30s.

The next earliest settlers of the town were Josiah Whiteside, James
M. Crosth waite, Shelton B. Farthing, James H. Ray and Dr. C.
Pearson, all of whom have passed away, though whose widows and
children are still living in this vicinity — except those of the second
named, who moved to Ralls countv about twenty years ago. They
all located here some time in the 40s.

The next in the list would include such names as John Tullv,
Capt. S. W. Hammack, Squire John Vermillion, L. B. Love, A. D.
Slack and others, who registered in the 50s. All of the last named

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

685

are prominent citizens of the town ; several others, however, that we
could name, have long since crossed the silent river.

This list would be incomplete should we omit the names of several
early settlers of the township, though they were not of the immediate
vicinity of our town. Such were Presley Anderson, who made the
first settlement on West Cuivre [sec. 7-49-3] that was made in the
county, and which was in 1818, and of Reuben Pew, father to the
gentlemen referred to in this article, who moved to Montgomerv

O 7 O v v

county in 1818, and who was elected colonel of the first militia [ ?]
ever organized in the county. Other settlers by name of Glover,
Gray, Stewart and Asa Manning were living over on Bear creek as
early as 1830.

We are informed by one of the old settlers that Mr. Wm. Baugh,
living near the mouth of Wolf creek, is perhaps the oldest living
early settler in this township. Mr. and Mrs. John Crutcher, now of
Denison, Tex., are another couple that should receive honorable men¬
tion in this connection. They came here at an early day, and have
quite a number of descendants and relatives residing in this county.

McCleary’s sketch in the Montgomery Atlas states* that Middletown
was surveyed by old Lewis Jones, the then county surveyor, instead
of by Josjah Willbarger ; that the first house was built by Stewart
Slavens, and that Mathias Willbarger opened the first store. Mr.
McCleary, however, does not give his authority for his statements,
which controvert those made in the article above quoted from Chips.
The Atlas sketch further states that the town “ derived its name from
its location at the crossing of the roads leading from east to west and
from north to south.”

Nothing definite can here be stated of the fate of the first settlers
of Middletown, except that Stewart Slavens died here in 1866.

MISCELLANEOUS .

In 1855, the farthest date back when any of the present citizens of
Middletown were here, — James M. Barker w~as landlord of the Acade
Hotel ; James M. Crosthwaite and Pearson and Haff had general
stores. Dr. C. Pearson and Dr. F. S. Clare were physicians, and
Volney Suggett was running the steam saw and grist mill, on ’Coon
creek, now the farthest up stream. The latter was built in about
1850, by Spencer J, Ball and James N. Hicks. It ground and sawed
from the first. In about 1860 a stage line was established from
Louisiana to Wellsville, via Bowling Green and Middletown. The
route was maintained substantially until the building of the Chicago
and Alton Railroad. The town, however, was not of much importance
until after the war.

686

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

There was one tragic event which occurred during the Civil W ar, near
Middletown. This was the killing ofWm. Dillon by Wm. Strank, on
July 25, 1863. Both men were in Middletown on the day named, and
were friendly enough until thev began drinking, when it is said they
quarreled over a ten-cent riding- whip !

Strank was arrested and underwent a preliminary examination before
Esqs. James and Bruner (the latter of Montgomery). He was
bound over in the sum of $3,000. The same fall he was indicted for
murder, and in April, 1864, put upon trial at Danville, before Judge
Fagg. The jury failed to agree. On hearing the conclusion of the
trial, Strank left the court-room, ostensibly to procure new bondsmen,
but once outside he mounted a horse, galloped by short routes to his
home, where, procuring a fresh steed, he kept on eastward and crossed
into Illinois. In a few months Bill Anderson come into Danville,
burned all the court records, and wiped out the case against Strank
with a flame of fire. He was never re-indicted. After the war he
returned home, went to work, and has since been known as a quiet,
peaceable citizen. At present he manages the lower steam mill at
Middletown.

INCORPORATION.

Middletown was incorporated as a town by the county court, Feb¬
ruary 17, 1864. The first board of trustees was composed of John
Tully, James A. Haff, Walter Caldwell, A. D. Slack and W. D.
Gooch. The town is still running under this incorporation. There is
no indebtedness and the treasury has an unappropriated balance of
$100.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first publication in Middletown was a small eight-page journal
called The Echo , which was established by John McKilvey in the
summer of 1873. Each page was 8x16 inches in size and contained
three columns. The Echo was issued semi-monthlv for some months.
McKilvey had a small jobbing outfit, and did what printing he could
get.

In June, 1879, W. W. H. Jackman began the publication of the
North Missouri Sentinel , a six-column folio, half printed at home.
This he continued until February, 1882, when he removed to Lad-
donia, Audrain county, and established a paper called th a Enterprise.

In August, 1882, Mr. C. Pearson issued the first number of the
Middletown Chips, a seven- column folio paper, still in publication.
This paper — as were the others — is independent in politics. Its

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

687

editor is a spicy, original writer; some of his paragraphs are largely
quoted, and their humor and wit generally appreciated.

CHURCHES AND SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

M . E. Church South. — The M. E. Church South, in Middle-
town, was organized as early as the year 1848. Some of the original
members were Joseph Paxton, Pauline Paxton, Nathan Veech- and
wife, Amanda Whiteside, Sarah Parker, Mrs. Polly Paxton, Mrs. M.
A. Pearson, Mrs. Mary A. Pice and Mrs. Pose Hoff. The pastors
that have served this church have been Jesse Sutton, George Sexton,

- Demott, - Sears, - McNeiley, George Craig, Thompson

Penn, - Meyers, - Sherman, - Taylor, - Jones, Henry

Kav, W. H. Lewis and others. The church building is a frame and
was first erected in 1848, but was rebuilt in 1871 at a cost of $1,000.
The present membership is 56.

Methodist Episcopal Church. — This church was organized in 1863.
The original members were Christopher Pearson, Sr., Martha Pearson,
Dr. Christopher Pearson, T. H. Conklin, Susan Conklin, Elizabeth
Gooch, Pichard Gooch, Ellen Gooch, Clarinda Gooch, W. G. Pice,
Sarah Pice, Julia White, L. T. Taylor, Sarah H. Taylor, Sarah A.
Johnson, Hester Parkey, Nancy Kisner, Pobt. Bethel, J. T. Jones,
W. T. Pennewell and eight others. The church building is a frame
structure, and was erected in the years 1870-71 at a cost of $1,600.
The pastors have been N. Shumate in 1863 ; William Demott, John
Linan, in 1864 ; Standford Ing, in 1865 ; Saul Alexander, in 1866 ; J.
W. Coughlan, W. F. Clayton, W. H. Smith, E. B. Cater, W. J.
Freeland, H. T. Pobins, J. W. Anderson, R. L. Thompson, F. L.
Stevenson and H. B. Barnes. The present number of members is
70. The Sabbath-school has 45 scholars ; R. M. Hendershott,
superintendent.

Christian Church. — This organization dates its origin about the
year 1850, with S. B. Farthing, Volney Suggett, Henry White, Alex.
Tucker, Thos. Crouch, Wm. Hill, Timothy Ford, Mary Ford, Lavicy
White, A. O. Hall and a few others as members. From 1850 to 1858
Timothy Ford ministered to the church, and since that period H. M.
Grandfield, W. H. Hook, W. B. Gallaher and W. T. Sallee. The
first church house was a brick building erected in 1850. The present
house of worship was constructed in 1870 at a cost of about $3,000.
The present number of members is 100. The Sabbath-school; with
Geo. White as superintendent, has an attendance of 45.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church. — In 1867 this church was or-

688

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ganized at which time M. S. Price, John W. McQuie, Jas. F. McQuie,
Geo. A. McQuie, Wni. D. Gooch, Nannie C. Gooch, Luannah Price,
Martha A. Moore, James F. Cobi), Martha J. Cobb, Wm. A. White,
Elizabeth Cornett, Molly Adams, Maggie M. Robb, Bettie A. E.
Robb, Elizabeth Cobb, Isabella J. Myers and Jennette McQuie, com¬
posed the membership, though it now numbers 75. The church house
is a brick structure erected in 1869, and cost $1,468.40. The pas¬
tors have been Rev. E. P. Farr, W. W. Crockett, Geo. A. Middleton,
Jas. W. Duvall, T. Barnard, J. R. Patton and E. L. Uptegrove. M.

S. Price superintends the Sabbath-school of 27 scholars.

SECRET ORDERS OF MIDDLETOWN.

Masonic Lodge. — Plumb Lodge, No. 375, A. F. & A. M., dates
its charter October 13, 1871. Some of the first officers were Roland
E. Witt, worshipful master; A. A. Craig, S. W. ; Benj. H. Hayden,
J. W. The charter members were R. E. Witt, A. A. Craig, Benj. H.
Hayden, C. Parker, Wm. Parker, S. W. Hammack, Dr. C. Pearson,
Dr. W. Caldwell, L. B. Love and H. W. Sects. The membership is
16.

Odd Felloivs ' Lodge. — Middletown Lodge, No. 256, was chartered
in June, 1871, with the following members: R. M. Hendershott,
Charles Elliott, E. Worrell, R. J. W. Trainer, E. Fallet, Jacob
Marion, William Richard and William H. Johnson. The first officers
were R. W. Hendershott, noble grand ; Chas. E. Elliott, vice-grand ; R.
J. W. Trainer, secretary; Wm. Rickard, treasurer. The lodge now
numbers 60 members, and owns a brick hall, valued at $3,000.

United Workmen. — A lodge of the A. O. LT. W. was organized in
Middletown, October 17, 1884, with 18 charter members, as follows :
J. M. Davidson, past master workman; B. Glover, master workman ;
J. A. Brown, foreman ; Chas. Elliott, overseer ; P. C. Kent, guide ; G.

T. Logan, recorder ; W. G. Young, financier ; W. H. Graham, receiver ;
Geo. Thomas, inside watchman ; W. S. Moore, medical examiner ;
D. B. Trower, J. M. Kelly and W. B. Appleton, trustees ; and A. E.
Kincaid, M. J. Anderson, John Hazleton and Benj. Slavens.

Triple Alliance . — 4 camp in the Triple Alliance, with 18 members,
was chartered in Middletown, November 8, 1884, — not in time for
a list of the first officers to be obtained.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

689

BIOGRAPHICAL.

LEONIDAS BONNEL

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Middletown) .

Aaron Bonnel, the grandfather of Leonidas and a New Jerseyan,
was a gallant soldier in the Revolutionary army throughout the war
for independence. He left a numerous family of children, and among
them was Clark Bonnel, who became the father of the subject of the
present sketch. The family settled in Hamilton county, Ohio, in an
early day, where Clark Bonnel grew to manhood. He there married
Rachel E. Wykoff. They made their permanent home in Hamilton
county after their marriage, and the father became a man of well-to-do
circumstances. During the years of his greatest activity and useful¬
ness he was quite prominent in county politics, but himself never
sought nor desired any office. Leonidas was born on the family home¬
stead, in Hamilton county, February 24, 1824, and as he was reared
to hard work on the farm he had but little school opportunities to ob¬
tain an education, save as he educated himself at home ; and by con¬
tinued reading he has become a man of wide and varied information.
He moved to Montgomery county in 1869, and has ever since taken
an active and intelligent interest in the affairs of his part of the
county. October 23, 1847, Mr. Bonnel was married to Miss
Rachel J. Wall, of Hamilton county, Ohio, and a daughter of John
Wall, of an old Pennsylvania family. After his marriage he followed
farming in Butler county, Ohio, until his removal to Montgomery
county, Mo., in 1869. Here he has a good place of 200 acres and is
comfortably situated. Mr. and Mrs. B. have 10 children: John W.,
Aggrippa, LTzziah, Salona, Druzilla, wife of George Cochran ; Helena,
Ora L. B., Izates, Metteleus and Dorcas W.

WILLIAM W. BOYD

(Farmer ancl Stock-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Boyd is of an old patriotic Revolutionary stock, and the
family came originally from Ireland to this country. His father’s
grandfather served with gallantry on the side of the Colonies through¬
out the long war for independence. John Boyd, William W.’s
grandfather, served his country with courage and fidelity through the
War of 1812. After the War he settled in Ohio, where Nathan L.
Boyd, his son, was reared. The latter, after he grew up, was mar¬
ried to Miss Matilda Gregory, formerly of Kentucky, and of this
union came William W. Boyd and five other children, most of whom
are now heads of families. In 1865 the family came to Montgomery
county, Mo. The father, Nathan L. Boyd, a successful farmer, died

690

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

here in 1883, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. The mother is still
living, aged 59 years. William W. Boy cl was born in Brown county,
Ohio, November 19, 1848, and was 16 years of age when the family
came to Missouri. He grew up in this county and started ©ut for
himself in early manhood without any means to begin on, and was
soon married (in 1871). But he had been reared to work, which he
had learned how to do, and he was not in the least afraid of it. He
and his young wife, who was a Miss Elizabeth Henton, a daughter of
Holla Henton, an early settler of the county immediately settled
down and thus worked on and on until as the years circled around their
industry prospered them in the farm affairs, and, better than all,
heaven blessed them abundantly in their family with a numerous pro¬
ven v. The man who accumulates a fortune and thus adds to the
wealth and prosperity of a country is undoubtedly a valuable and
useful citizen ; but the man who gives to society a large and worthy
family of children performs a service of much more value. Mr.
Boyd is now one of the substantial farmers of the township. He has
a fine place of nearly 400 acres, all under fence and well improved.
He and his wife have eight children, and seven are living, namely :
John W., Edward L., Nannie, Leona, William O., Ellen and Katie.
He and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

JOHN A. BROWN

Proprietor of Brown’s Hotel and Livery Stable, and Farmer, Middletown).

Mr. Brown w\as a youth about thirteen vears of age when his
parents came from Tennessee and settled in Montgomery county in
1856. His father, John Brown, soon became recognized as one of
the respected farmers and worthy citizens of Prairie township. He
died here in 1866. The mother, a Miss Patience Hogett before her
marriage, died in 1870, a most excellent lady and a worthy member
of the Episcopal Church, as was also her husband. But three of their
family of children are living: Anna E., wife of William Pointlow ;
Margaret J., wife of Charles J. Fitzgerald ; and John A., the subject
of this sketch. George W., a brother, was killed in the battle at

O 7

Vicksburg, in the Union service, and Elizabeth, a sister, died in child¬

hood. John A. was born in McMinn county, Tennessee, January 11,
1843. Partly reared in Montgomery county, Mo., he entered the
Union militia here during the first year of the outbreak of the war,
and served until its close. In 1867 he was married to Miss Cynthia
A. Davidson, a daughter of Thomas and Amanda Davidson, early
settlers from Ohio. Mr. Brown was reared a farmer and continued
in that occupation exclusively until 1882, when he came to Middle-
town. He still owns a good farm of 160%acres which he has rented
out. At Middletown he engaged in the drug business and in 1884 he
disposed of his drug interests and began keeping hotel and livery
stable. He has a good house and runs a popular stable. Both are
well patronized and he is doing a good business. Mr. and Mrs. B.
have one child, Lillie B., having lost one, Maggie, at the age of three
years. Mrs. B. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

691

SAMUEL K. COWAN

(Pest-office, Middletown).

On the 4th of June, 1835, Mr. Cowan was born, his birthplace be¬
ing his father’s homestead in Brown county, Ohio. His father,
David Cowan, was a native of Kentucky, but was brought to Ohio
when a youth by his parents, where he grew up and was married to
Miss Barbara B. Sanderson, who was born and reared in Ohio. They
resided in Brown county, that State, until 1850, when they came to
Missouri, and settled in Montgomery county. Here the father bought
a farm, but he died the same year of his removal to this county.
The mother is still living. Samuel K. was the third in their family
of seven children, and was 15 years of age when the family came to
this State. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Missouri
State militia, Union service, and served for three years. He then re¬
turned to farming, and on the 10th of June, 1856, he was married to
Miss Nancy J. Kizner, a daughter of Henry and Amelia Kizner, for¬
merly of Virginia. They have six children, all at home: Anna B.,
Minnie M., Phoebe A., McKee, Amanda A., and Cecil. Mr. and
Mrs. C. and daughter, Anna, are members of the Cumberland Presby¬
terian Church. Mr. Cowan’s farm contains 160 acres and is substan¬
tially and comfortably improved. He is one of the energetic farmers
and respected citizens of Prairie township. /

SAMUEL CRUTCHER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Middletown) .

The biography of Mr. Crutcher leads us back to the pioneer days
of the country. In one room of his double log house near Middle-
town was opened out the first stock of goods ever brought to the
northern part of Montgomery county, and he was one of the founders
of the town of Middletown, having helped to survey it and establish
it as a town. His father’s family came originally from Virginia. Mr.
Crutcher’s parents, Samuel and Nancy (James) Crutcher, removed to
Lincoln county, Ky., in a very early day, and there Samuel, junior,
was born, June 1, 1811. In about 1830 the family came to Missouri
and located in Lincoln county, but two years later settled permanently
in Montgomery county. The mother died here in 1848, and the
father in 1865. Samuel, junior, was reared to the life of a pioneer
farmer. In the fall of 1836 (September) he was married in Pike
county to Miss Eliza A., a daughter of Elliott Holliday, formerly of
Kentucky. Meanwhile he had entered a tract of land and improved
a farm. Mr. Crutcher’s first wife died in 1846, leaving three chil-
dren living : Elliott W., O’Cannon and James W., Agnes having died
when three years old. Two years later he was married to Miss Maria
Holloway. She did in 1866, leaving two children, Ezra and Junius,
the former of whom died at the age of 28. To his present wife Mr.
Crutcher was married in 1874. She was a Mrs. Mary J. Randolph,

692

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and a daughter of Sterling Winter, an early farmer and miller of this
county who came from Tennessee. He died in California in 1883.
Mr. and Mrs. Crutcher have one child, Nora Belle. His farm con¬
tains 480 acres.

JAMES FARTHING

(Of Farthing Bros.’ Livery, Feed and Sales Stables, Middletown).

Mr. Farthing’s father, Samuel B. Farthing, came to this countv at
a time when all this region of country was an almost trackless wilder¬
ness, and when the present site of Middletown was in a state of prim¬
itive nature. He settled near what is now Middletown and made his
premanent home in this vicinity. His wife was a Miss Julia Glenn, a
daughter of Thomas Glenn, a sturdy old son of the Emerald Isle, who
came to this country in an early day. Samuel B. Farthing and wife
reared a family of children, namely : Emmal, who is now the wife of
Mr. Bourne ; John T., a merchant of Pike county; Betsey, the wife
of M. F. Farmer, a merchant at Farmersville ; George P., a stock-
raiser of this county; Stewart, the partner of his brother, James Far¬
thing, in the livery business at Middletown ; William, also at Middle-
town ; Ruey, of this place ; Charles O., and Robert W., both also of
Middletown. James Farthing was born near Middletown, April 28,
1856, and was reared on his father’s farm. After he grew up he
learned the blacksmith’s trade, and subsequently opened a shop at
Middletown, which he conducted with success until he engaged in his
present business. He and his brothers have one of the best livery
stables in the county, and are doing a flourishing business. Mr. Far¬
thing is a staunch Democrat. He is a member of the Christian

Church, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F.

7 * _ _

WILLIAM P. FISHER

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

The town of Frankford, in Pike county, now and for years past
one of the prosperous trading points in that county, was founded
by Mr. Fisher’s father, Adam Fisher, a native of the State of Vir¬
ginia. The Fisher family is of German descent, but settled in
Virginia prior to the Revolution. Adam Fisher was a soldier
in the War of 1812, and was in the company of his father,
Capt. Solomon Fisher. The family, however, had previously removed
to Kentucky during the latter part of the eighteenth century, and
were among the pioneer settlers of Bourbon county. Adam Fisher,
after he grew up, was married to Miss Dulcenia Powers, also origin¬
ally from Virginia. After the War of 1812, in 1816, he removed to
Missouri and settled on the present site of the town of Frankfort, in
Pike countv, which he entered and where he made a farm. He had
the site of Frankfort surveyed, and officially platted the town, and
gave it its present name. He was the first sheriff of Pike county, and
for years one of the prominent men among the early settlers of that

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

693

count}'. He died in 1824. The family afterwards removed to Lin¬
coln county, where William P. Fisher, the subject of this sketch, was
partly reared. He was born in Pike county April 11, 1821. In 1843,
at the age of 22, he was married in Lincoln county to Miss Sarah A.
Settles, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. Fisher removed to Montgomery
county in 1847, where he entered land and improved a farm. In 1861
he enlisted in the Union army under Gen. John B. Henderson, and
served under the banner of the Union until the close of the war. ^Mr.
Fisher was a lieutenant of Co. C, Fifth Missouri infantry. Otherwise
than his army service he has been a farmer all his life. However, he
was county assessor of Montgomery county for four years following
1865. He has a good farm of 266 acres, well improved. His wife
died in 1872. She had borne him ten children, of whom there are
living Joseph W., Gage W., Mary A. — Mrs. William Moore, Mar¬
tha — Mrs. George Booher, Emma, Allie — Mrs. Alex. J. Henton,
and Toba. Only one of the family of four children of which Mr.
Fisher was a member is living besides himself.

BARTON W. FORD, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Middletown).

Dr. Ford was born in Pike county, Mo., August 19, 1845. His
father was Timothy Ford, and his mother’s maiden name, Mary
Tracey. On his father’s side his grandparents were Timothy, Sr., and
Elizabeth Ford, and on his mother’s side they were William and Mary
Tracey ; the former were originally from Virginia, but afterwards made
their permanent home in Jessamine county, Ky. The latter were of
Garrard county, Ky. Dr. Ford’s parents were married in Kentucky
in 1828 and removed to Ralls county the following year, locating near
New London. They afterwards settled near Frankford, in Pike
county, in 1835. His father went to California in 1849, but returned
two yearsjlater. In 1 852 they came to Montgomery county and located
near Middletown, where they resided for twenty years, engaged in
farming. They then came to the town of Middletown. The father
died at this place October 26, 1878. In the strictest sense of the
word he was a self-made man. He educated himself and obtained a
thorough English education, besides making considerable progress in
the Greek language. He studied theology, and was a minister of the
Gospel of the Christian denomination for 40 years. He was one of
the pioneer ministers of Missouri and preached throughout all this
part of country with marked success. He was blessed with a singu¬
larly bright and happy disposition, always cheerful and pleasant and
well satisfied with himself and his surroundings. He took little inter-
est in politics, but after the rise of the Republican party supported
the principles of that party with his vote. He was a prominent Mason
and a warm supporter of that order. Dr. Ford’s mother is still liv¬
ing, at the advanced age of 75 years. She is one of the best of
women and has always been of a decided domestic disposition, thor¬
oughly devoted to her home and family. She has been the mother of

694

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

10 children, all of whom grew to maturity, except one, Susan E.
William H. died at San Francisco, Cal., aged 21 ; Peyton Alvord died
at Middletown, aged 22, in 1872 ; Thomas B. died in Frankford, Pike
county, in 1881, while serving his second term as sheriff of that
county. The others are: John L., Daniel B., Sarah E., Mary J.,
James T. and Barton W. They are all married and reside in either
Pike, Audrain and Montgomery counties. Dr. Ford was 7 years of
age when the family came to this county. He succeeded in acquiring
a good general education by close application to his books, and then
read medicine and entered the St. Louis Medical College in 1867,
from which he graduated two years later. Thereupon he located in
Martinsburg, in Audrain county, and engaged in the practice of his
profession. In 1870 he came to Middletown and has been engaged in
the practice here ever since. He has been quite successful as a phy¬
sician, and has a large and steadily increasing practice. November
26, 1865, he was married to Miss Annie S. Gibbs, of Pike county.
She died November 4, 1879, leaving him three children. February
20, 1881, he was married to his present wife, formerly Miss Maggie
S. Alvord, of this county. They have two children. Dr. Ford is a
prominent member of the Odd Fellows order, and has been a mem¬
ber of the Christian Church for the last 24 years. He is a man of a
domestic turn of mind and takes much interest in the comfort and the
appearance of his home. During the years 1864-65 he was a cor¬
poral in Co. B, of the Fortv-ninth Missouri volunteer infantry,
U. S. A.

CAPT. SENECA W. HAMMACK

(County Surveyor and Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, Middletown).

Few men in Montgomery county are better known than Capt.
Hammack, and the record of none as a citizen or in the public
service is as free of reproach. Since 1863, a period now closely
approaching a quarter of a century, he has continuously held the
office of county surveyor ; for over 30 years, consecutively, he has
been a regular commissioned notary public, and for the last 16 years
he has held the office of justice of the peace. Though a life-long and
consistent Democrat, one from principle and not from prejudice,
Capt. Hammack was steadfastly a faithful, loyal, consistent Union
man during the war. When the South went off on a slavery, dis¬
union platform, and endeavored to carry the Democracy of the coun¬
try with it, he refused to follow, and continued to stand on the
constitution, true to old-fashioned Democratic principles. During
the war he did his full share to influence his Southern brethren of the
Democratic party in taking a position such as he occupied. Now he
odadlv takes them by the hand and welcomes them to full brother-
hood under the old-fashioned banner of the Constitution and Union,
Democracy and Reform. During the war he served twice as post¬
commander at Middletown. Regularly enlisted for the service, he was
called to the post-commandership, August 15, 1862, and served until

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

695

April 30, 1863. He was again called out October 20, 1864, and
finally relieved the 9th of the following December. Capt. Hammack
was married in 1846, August 6, to Miss Elizabeth M. Hamilton.
She lived to brighten his home for nearly 20 years, dying May 16,
1865. She had borne him seven children : Laura J., now the wife of
P. D. Hockaday ; Alex. W., Margaret D., now the wife of P. H.
Ulrich; Eudora I., Napoleon B. (deceased), George W. and Eliza¬
beth M. (deceased). Capt. Hammack’s present wife, formerly Miss
Martha C. Hamilton, was a sister to his first wife. They have three
children: Eugenia V., Delos W. (deceased) and William W. The
Captain, in early life, was a school teacher, and quite a popular and
successful one. He was born in Lincoln county, Mo., February 19,
1825. His father was Brice W. Hammack and his mother’s maiden
name, Jane Wommack. His father was a soldier under Capt. Metcalf
in the War of 1812, and was in the battle at New Orleans. Capt.
Hammack has been a resident of Montgomery county from early
manhood.

WILLIAM A. HOGSETT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Gamma).

William Alexander Hogsett was the elder of two children of Dr.
John Hogsett and wife, nee Cynthia A. Malcomb. His father was a
native of Tennessee, but his mother was originally from Virginia.
Each went to Ohio in an early day, where they were afterwards mar¬
ried, and for a number of years they were residents of Highland
county, that State. The father was for some years in early manhood
a practicing physician, but later along engaged in merchandising,
which he followed in Ohio until about the time of his removal to
Missouri with his family, in 1859, then locating in Montgomery
county. Here he bought land and was engaged in farming until his
death, July 3, 1881, though he did follow merchandising some years
after his removal to Missouri. His wife had preceded him to the grave
some three years, having died February 26, 1878. Both were members
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. William Alexander Hog¬
sett was born in Highland county, Ohio, October 2, 1835, and was
reared there. He had the superior excellent advantages of the schools
of his native county as he grew up, and succeeded in obtaining more
than an ordinary general English education in the leading branches.
Habits of study in early life cultivated in him a permanent taste for
mental culture, and by this he has succeeded in making himself a man
of large and varied information. On the 5th of March, 1855, he was
married to Miss Sarah E. Pew, of Montgomery county, Mo., a lady
eminently worthy in point of mental endowments, culture and the
finer qualities of heart to be his life companion. She is a daughter
of A. D. and Lucy (Anderson) Pew, of this county. Mrs. Hogsett
was educated at Chancellor Robinson’s Female Seminary, at Danville.
Mr. and Mrs. H. have been blessed with ten children : Charles F.,
Demeris J., who died in 1881 ; John D., Cornelia A., William A.,

696 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Lucy E., Minnie, Walter E., Nellie and Nora E. Charles F. married
Miss Helen Boyd ; Demeris J. was the wife of W. H. Cline ; Cornelia
A. is the wife of J. W. Weldon, at Gamma, and Lucy E. is a music
teacher. Mr. Hogsett came to Montgomery county with his family
in the spring of 1851, and has been a resident of this county ever
since, now having a fine farm of 400 acres. He is a member of the
A. O. U. W.

GEORGE T. LOGAN

(Of Meyer & Logan, Merchants and Millers, Middletown) .

Mr. Logan’s paternal ancestry in this country settled originally in
the State of North Carolina, where several branches of the family still
reside. His father, John A. Logan, was born and reared there, but
removed to Virginia in early manhood. In the latter State he was
married to Miss Elizabeth Moore, and of this union George T., the
subject of the present sketch, was born October 19, 1858, in Car-
roll county, that State. He has two sisters living now, Mrs. Carrie
Hutchinson, the wife of W. M. Hutchinson, a druggist at Troy, and
Bertie, who is not married. He has a brother, Cumi. In 1879 the
father, a miller by trade, removed to and located in Montgomery
county, Mo., and remained here until 1876 when he went to Lincoln
county, and there still resides, engaged in the saw and grist milling
business. George T. Logan received the principal part of a prac¬
tical English education in Montgomery City College, and learned the
milling occupation as he grew up. In 1877 he became a clerk in a
general store at Olney, in Lincoln county, where he continued until
1879. The following year he came to Middletown and accepted a
clerkship in the store of John Tully & Son. A year later young
Tullv, the son, who was the business manager of the firm, having
died, Mr. Logan took practical charge of the store and conducted it
until 1883. Meanwhile, in 1882, he was married to Miss Ella Meyer,
a daughter of his present partner in business. Since then he has
been engaged in business with his father-in-law, Mr. W. J. Meyer.
Mr. L. is an active, energetic and popular business man, and adds
much to the success of the firm with which he is connected. Mrs. L. is
a member of the Presbyterian Church. Their only child, Johnnie,
died in infancy.

BENOIT B. MARRICHALL

(Farmer, Post-office, Middletown).

Mr. Marrichall is of French descent on his father’s side, as his name
indicates, and he is also of French origin on his mother’s side. She
was a Miss Magdalen Roy. The Marrichall family were early settlers
of Carondelet, in St. Louis county, and Benoit B. was born there
April 7, 1821. He was the third in a family of ten children and was
reared to hard labor, with little or no advantages for an education.
His father died February 9, 1881, and his mother in December, 1870.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

697

His father had served with distinction in the war of 1812, and partici¬
pated in numerous Indian wars. When a mere boy he was in the mas¬
sacre of Callaway and his men, near Danville, Mo., and escaped with

his life bv the merest accident. He was bv Callaway’s side when the

_ _ •/ */

latter was killed. Benoit B. Marrichall grew up principally at Caronde-
let and in 1845 was married to Miss Mary Clary, who died, however,
the following year. He then went north, but returned to St. Louis
in 1848. In 1854 he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Palarday, a
daughter of Charles and Mary Pigeon, who died in 1831 of cholera
while on their way from Canada. In 1856 Mr. Marrichall removed to
Illinois, and remained there engaged in farming until 1868, when he
came to Missouri and located in Montgomery county. Here he has a
good farm of 160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. M. have seven children :
Frank B., Charles J., Lewis J., Alfred H., Mary A., Selistin O. and
AlexanderB. One, William A., died inchildhood. Mr. and Mrs. M.
are members of the Catholic Church. For some sixteen years Mr. M.
has been afflicted with a form of sickness, but he has nevertheless suc¬
ceeded better than some whose health has been all that could have
been desired. He is a man whom every one respects.

WILLIAM J. MEYER

(Of Logan & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise, Miller and Farmer, Middletown).

Mr. Meyer, though a native Missourian, is of German parentage,
and a son of John G. and Mary (Schultz) Meyer, both from Hanover.
His father was born in Bremen and after his marriage came to the
United States and located at St. Louis. Two years later he went
back and brought his wife and family to this country, which was in
1830. In 1854 he removed to Audrain county with his family, where
he engaged in farming. However, his wife had died four years before.
He died there in 1860. There were seven children in the family and
five are still living. William J. Meyer, the subject of this sketch, was
the fourth in their family and was born at St. Louis July 28, 1833.
He was reared there up to the age of 17 and received a common
school education. In 1850 he went to California and followed
mining on the Pacific coast for some four years He then returned to
Missouri and in 1855 was married to Miss Jane I. Kincaid, a daugh¬
ter of John and Caroline Kincaid. After his marriage Mr. Meyer
settled on a farm in Audrain county, where he farmed until 1863,
when he came to Middletown. Prior to this he had served in the
State militia for six or seven months, and after coming to Middletown
he followed the blacksmith’s trade for some two years. He then
engaged in merchandising, which he has followed with success ever
since. He is now a member of the firm of Logan &Co. They carry
a laro;e and well selected stock of general merchandise and are doing;
an excellent business. In 1874 he purchased Whiteside’s mill and
has since conducted it. This is an old and established mill and
has a lar°:e custom. He also has a £ood farm of 120 acres. He has
about 120 acres of land, situated in different counties. Mr. Meyer

698

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

was burnt out in business in 1881, but the firm has since rebuilt and
reopened a large and new stock of goods. They carry a stock of
about $9,000. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have nine children: James W.,
Carrie, widow of the late John Kelly; Ella, wife of George Logan,
of the above named firm; Walter, Julius, Edward, Claudius, Harry
and one other.

WILLIAM S. MOORE, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Middletown).

When the war broke out in 1861 the subject of this sketch was a
youth at school, only about 15 years of age. He was born and reared
in Clermont county, O., and, as the war progressed, his feeling be¬
came warmly enlisted for the cause of the Union, but he remained at
school impatiently until he arrived at military age, or until he could
be accepted as a volunteer for the defense of the flag of his country.
His parents, with, perhaps, over parental affection, opposed his enlist¬
ment in the army. His youthful ardor and patriotism, however,
overcame his love of family and home, and forming a resolution to
join the army, in order to avoid a heart-breaking scene of parting
from loved ones, he quietly went away unknown to airy one, one dark
rainy night in August, 1863, and the next morning answered at roll
call as a plighted volunteer for the defense of the Union. His com¬
mand was shortly ordered away to the South, and until the close of
that long and terrible struggle he gallantly did his duty as a faithful,
fearless defender of his country. Among the many engagements in
which he participated were the great battles of Harper’s Ferry,
Amelia Court-house, Petersburg and the Wilderness. After the
close of the war, in August, 1865, he was honorably discharged and
returned home. Soon after he began the study of medicine under his
uncle, Dr. C. A. Montjar, of Amelia, Clermont county, O. In due
time young Moore matriculated at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cin¬
cinnati, O., where he graduated with honor in the class of ’68. Dr.
Moore then located in Highland county, O., and practiced there with
success and with increasing reputation until 1879, when he came to
Missouri and located at Middletown. Here he readily built up a
good practice, and now occupies an enviable position among the lead¬
ing physicians of the county. In 1869, September 23, he was married
to Miss I. Gipler, of Highland county, O. They have had two chil¬
dren : Venice and John A., the latter now deceased.

CHRISTOPHER PEARSON, M. D. (deceased)

(Middletown) .

For 30 years and more Dr. Pearson’s name was well known in
Middletown and throughout the surrounding country as that of a con¬
scientious and successful physician and useful and highly esteemed
citizen. He was a man of wonderful energy and of great versatility
of mind and diversity of aptitudes. The high estimate placed upon

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

699

his mission in life, even from boyhood, united with his unconquerable
will, his sterling, natural ability and his untiring industry, enabled
him to overcome difficulties that would have appalled one of not more
than ordinary force of character. From the station in life of a poor
boy, brought up without educational advantages and to the carpen¬
ter’s trade, he arose, by the exercise of his own resources, to a posi¬
tion of marked prominence in the community where he lived, and was
a successful merchant, a well-to-do farmer, and a leading, highly
respected citizen. He was born at Boston, England, March 31, 1819,
and at the age of 10 years was brought over to this country by his
parents, Christopher Pearson, Sr., and wife, nee Martha Adkins, who
located at Buffalo, N. Y. He was the eldest of the family of children,
and his father, a cabinet maker by trade, brought young Christopher
up to the carpenter’s trade, though the son early displayed a genius
for the science of medicine and a fixed resolution to ultimately devote
himself to the medical profession. In 1843 he came West to St,
Louis, and now entered Kemper’s Medical College, since known as
the Missouri Medical College, where he took a regular course of two
terms, working at his trade during vacations to obtain money to de¬
fray his expenses. In 1844 he was graduated with high honor, and
at once came to Montgomery county, where he located and engaged
in the practice of his profession. Having accumulated some means by
1854 he also interested himself in merchandising at Middletown,
which business he had carried on with success for over 15 years. He
also dealt largely in tobacco, buying, putting up and shipping to the
wholesale markets, and became the owner of a fine farm of some 200
acres. The war coming on in 1861, however, his fortune was seriously
impaired by the vicissitudes of that unfortunate trouble. He was a
Union man throughout, but took no active part in the war. In 1845
he was married to Miss Martha Paxton, a daughter of James Paxton,
formerly of Shelby county, Ky., but an early settler of Lincoln
county, Mo. Three of their family of children are living: Mary,
wife of M. C. Patterson, of Nevada, Mo. ; Mattie, wife of H. B.
Livingsburger, of Denver, Col., and Christopher, fils , now editor of
the Middletown Chips , a sprightly weekly newspaper published at
this place. In 1874 Dr. Pearson removed to Louisiana, Mo., where
he practiced medicine about five years, and then went to Georgetown,
Col., where he died in 1882. His remains were brought back to
Middletown, and now rest side by side with those of his parents in
the cemetery at that place. His parents removed here in 1860, and
made this their home until their deaths. Mrs. Dr. Pearson is still
living, a lady of great personal worth and highly esteemed by all her
neighbors. Christopher Pearson, the editor of the Chips , was edu¬
cated in the district schools of Middletown and at Danville College.

V — '

He started his paper in August, 1882, and its success thus far has been
quite up to his expectations.

700

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CHARLES H. RIGG, M.D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Middletown).

Dr. Rigg is a native of Missouri, born in Montgomery county,
February 14, 1851. On his father’s side his grandparents, Lane P.
and Elizabeth Rigg, came from Virginia, and settled in Montgomery
county as early as 1832. His mother’s parents, Robert and Eliza¬
beth Hunter, came from North Carolina to this country in 1818. The
Rigg family was originally from England and the grandfather of
the Doctor’s father came direct from that country to Virginia. His
mother was from Scotland. The Doctor’s mother’s grandfather,
Peter Hunter, a Virginian by nativity, was of Dutch descent. His
wife, however, was of English ancestry. Dr. Rigg’s father, Law¬
rence H. Rigg, was a native of Virginia, but was only 10 years of
age when his parents came to Montgomery county. The Doctor’s
mother, nee Margaret J. Hunter, was born and reared in this county.
She died here in 1866. The family resided on a farm eight miles
south of Danville until 1864, when they removed to Danville. In
1872 the father moved to Indiana, where he now resides. He was
elected treasurer of Montgomery county in 1866 and re-elected in
1868. He was an energetic farmer while engaged in agriculture and
afterwards proved an excellent business man. His wife was a most
pious-hearted Christian lady. They had a family of nine children, of
whom Dr. Rigg was the fifth. He was partly reared at Danville and
brought up in the milling business, in which his father was engaged
at that place. He attended the common school and high school for
two years. He then studied medicine for about four years and grad¬
uated at the American Medical College at St. Louis, May 16, 1878.
Since then he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profes¬
sion and has been occupied with no other pursuit. His experience
thus far has been one of satisfactory success and he has built up a
good practice. September 18, 1883, he was married to Miss Jeannie
D. Slack, of Middletown. Politically, Dr. Rigg votes with the
Democratic party, and in religious matters he is an ardent believer
in Bible holiness, or entire sanctification. Though comparatively a
young man, yet Dr. Rigg, even before he began the practice of medi¬
cine, made two trips to California, principally engaged in teaching,
and has made one trip to that State since he began the practice of
medicine.

JOHN HAYNES ROBINSON *

(Potter, Middletown) .

Mr. Robinson’s grandparents, John Robinson and wife, came from
England to Massachusetts in an early day and afterwards, in about
1812, removed to Chillicothe, Ohio. His paternal grandparents,
Henry and Priscilla Haynes, came from Virginia and settled at
Chillicothe about the same time. His father was Minott Robinson

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 701

and his mother’s maiden name, Sophia Haynes. Both were reared
at Chill icothe though his father was eight years of age when his
parents left Massachusetts. Minott Robinson and wife lived at Chil-
licothe until 1866, when they removed to Highland county, Ohio,
where they resided until their deaths. Both parents were favored
with good common-school educations and the father became a suc¬
cessful farmer, and a man of great industry and energy. He died
March 11, 1876, and his wife in 1873, both at their homestead in
H ighland county. Both were church members and she was noted
for her strict piety and close observance ot‘ the Sabbath. They had
a family of 12 children, of whom John H. was the seventh. He was
born in Ross county, September 10, 1839. He was principally reared
on a farm and had the advantages of the common and normal schools.
He then commenced as a school teacher and taught school continu-
ously and successfully for 17 years, establishing a wide and enviable
reputation as a capable and faithful educator. Afterwards Mr. Rob¬
inson engaged in farming. His principal places of residence have
been Ross and Highland counties, Ohio, Beardstown, Ill., Macon
county, Mo., and Montgomery county, Mo. He came to this county
in 1870 and was farming near Middletown until he came to this place
in February of the present year. Here he is engaged quite exten¬
sively in the pottery business. He also still owns his farm near
Middletown. During the war he was a member of the One Hundred
and Sixty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry. June 23, 1867, he was
married to Miss Delia Caley, of Highland county, Ohio. She was a
daughter of John Caley, a United Brethren minister of the Gospel.
They have four children: Orville A., Mettie B., Henry and John P.
Another, Allen G.,. the youngest, died at a tender age. Mr. Robin¬
son is a man of very domestic disposition and spends all his leisure
time at home in the society of his family.

THEODORE F. SANDERS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Middletown).

Mr. Sanders came to Montgomery county in the fall of 1880, and
bought the farm where he now resides. His tract of land contains

O #

240 acres, 180 acres of which are in cultivation and the balance in
timbered laud, nearly all in pasturage. He has a good orchard of
about 150 trees of different varieties of fruit. On both sides of his
family, his paternal and maternal ancestry, he is of ancient New Jersey
descent, his father, Barnaba Sanders. His grandfather, and his great
grandfather were natives of that State, and descended from a German
colonist of their name who settled in New Jersey, prior to the Revo¬
lution. His mother, Sophia Anderson before her marriage, was also
from an old New Jersey family. Theodore F. was born near Trenton,
September 25, 1845, and when he was two years of age the family
removed to Columbiana county, Ohio, and resided there and in Will¬
iams county until Theodore F. was grown to manhood. In 1866,
they removed to Henry county, near Rock Island, where the father

702

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

died in 1880. Theodore F. was married in Williams county, Ohio,
March 17, 1865, to Miss Margaret Weiker, a daughter of Adam
Weiker of the vicinity of Wooster, in Wayne county, Ohio. He then
removed to Alliance, in Stark countv, where he learned the machin-
ist’s trade and worked at it for about twelve years. In 1877 he re¬
turned to Columbiana county, where he resided and engaged in
farming, and then moved to Wooster, in Wayne county, where he
continued until he came to Montgomery county. Mo, in the fall
of 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have five children : Lilian, Olive,
Walter W., Theodore W. and Erma E. Mrs. S. is a member of the
United Brethren, and Mr. S. is a member of the Ancient Order
of Odd Fellows.

CORTEZ STEWART

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Stewart, an energetic and progressive young agriculturist of
this part of the county, was a son of Maj. Osborn Stewart, and one
of the old and highly respected citizens of this county. The
Stewart family early came from Virginia, and settled in Montgomery
county. Maj. Stewart is still a resident of Montgomery City. His
wife, still living, was a Miss Elizabeth Glenn before her marriage.
They had a family of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch
is the third, and three of their family of children are living. Cortez
Stewart was born in this county, December 29, 1852. His higher
education was received in the State University, in Columbia, from
whence he graduated. After this he was engaged in the livery busi¬
ness at Montgomery City for a time. Having married in the mean¬
time, he settled on a farm where he now resides, and here has a fine
stock farm of 360 acres, one of the best farms in Prairie township.
In 1876 Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Lettie Bruner, a young
lady of rare personal charms, a refined and accomplished daughter of
’Squire David Bruner of Montgomery City. Mr. and Mrs. S. have
had three children, one of whom, however, an infant, was taken from
them by death. The other two are Ledena and Rachel. Both pa¬
rents are members of the M. E. Church South.

WILLIAM B. THOMPSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Middletown).

In the veins of the subject of the present sketch is mingled the
blood of several old Revolutionary families whose names are written
with honor on the pages of their country’s history. Mr. Thompson’s
grandfather, Fulton Thompson, was of Irish descent. His ancestor
came originally from Donegal county, Ireland, and served as express
or news carrier under that intrepid commander, “Mad Anthony
Wayne,” in the war against the Indians of the North-west. He was
present at the building of Foil Defiance, and partially lost his hear¬
ing in a battle fought with the Indians near that place on the banks
of the Maumee. He cast his first vote for Gen. Washington, and his

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

703

last one for Bell and Everett in 1860. Born in Chambersburg, Pa.,
he came with his father’s family to Kentucky when only seven years
of age, the family settling at a fort now known as the City of Lex¬
ington. Subsequently he returned to Pennsylvania, and was married
there to Miss Martha Lindsey, of a family of early Scotch settlers,
living near Chambersburg. They came immediately to Kentucky,
and settled on and improved a farm five miles from Lexington, Fay¬
ette county, at a place then called Thompson’s Station. In 1829
they removed with their family to Lincoln county, Mo. Mrs. Thomp¬
son died there in 1852, in the seventy-fourth year of her age. Four
years later he removed to Montgomery county. He died here May
2, 1868, at the advanced age of 96 years and six months. They had
a family of 12 children, four of whom died, however, before the re¬
moval of the family to Missouri. Only one is now living. In their
family of children was Robert W. Thompson, the fourth son, who be¬
came the father of the subject of the present sketch. He was born
June 10, 1807, in Fayette county, Ky. Reared to farm life, which
occupation his father followed, he remained with the family and in
the year 1844 was married in Lincoln county, Mo., to Miss Sarah T.
Baird, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Findly) Baird. She
was born in and reared in Lincoln county, Ky. William Baird was
of Scotch descent, was born in Virginia, and came with his father’s
family to Kentucky when quite a small boy. His father served
throughout the War for Independence, and finally saw the surrender
of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. He himself served under Gen.
Harrison in the War of 1812. He lived to a good old aoe, and died in
Montgomery county, Mo., in his eighty-ninth year. Robert W.
Thompson, after his marriage to Miss Baird, remained in Lincoln
county until 1857, when he removed to Montgomery county, and
bought land in Prairie township. Here he made a large farm and
lived a respected and prosperous farmer until his death, which oc¬
curred April 12, 1875, at the age of 68. His wife is still living in
widowhood on the family homestead. They reared a family of six
children, namely: Martha E., William B., Judith A., Mary A.,
Sarah R. and Samuel F., now of Texas. William B. Thompson, the
subject of this sketch, was born before his parents removed from Lin¬
coln county, Mo. He was therefore principally reared on the family
homestead in Montgomery county, where the family removed when
he was quite a small boy. He still resides with his mother on the old
homestead, a large and valuable farm containing 440 acres. He is
engaged in managing the place, and is having good success and is one
of the prominent farmers of this township. Mr. T. is not married.

HENRY TROWER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, and of Trovver & Son, Dealers in Hardware, Etc.,

Middletown).

Mr. Trower was principally reared in the vicinity of New Hartford,
Pike county, where his parents removed from Kentucky, away back

in 1830. His father was Weslev B. Trowrer, and his mother’s maiden

%/ ,

704

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

name Elizabeth Jones. They are well remembered in the southern
part of Pike county as esteemed neighbors and members of their com¬
munity. The father was an energetic, substantial farmer, and was
highly respected. Henry, the subject of this sketch, was the third
of their family of children, and was born in Mercer county, Ky.,May
22, 1825. Reared on the farm, near New Hartford, he continued the
life of a farmer after he grew up, and about the time of attaining his
majority engaged in farming in that vicinity for himself. This he con¬
tinued without interruption and with good success until he engaged in
his present business with his son a short time ago. He still owns,
however, in Pike county, a good farm of 360 acres, the carrying on of
which he superintends. January 12, 1851, Mr. Trower was married
to Miss Margaret D. Butler, a daughter of an early settler of Pike
county. The fruits of this union are: Nancy E. (deceased), Martha
D. (deceased), Sarah E., now the wife of Jasper Lovelace; Jeanette
F., the wife of William Atkinson; Daniel, Emily, consort of William
Swagget ; John W., George T., Fannie C., Kittie, Samuel P. (de¬
ceased), and James H. (deceased). Daniel is his father’s partner in
the hardware business. They carry a full line of shelf and heavy
hardware, and are building up a good trade. Mr. and Mrs. Trower
are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. T. is a
Republican in politics.

JOHN TULLY

(Retired Farmer, Middletown).

Over forty years ago Mr. Tully came to Middletown, a place then
barely more than a post-office, blacksmith shop and the like, and the
country around about an almost uninhabited wild. He bought a
tract of land near Middletown for $15 an acre, where he improved a
farm and lived for many years, or until his retirement from farm life.
This same land he sold for $62.50 an acre. He is a native of Vir¬
ginia, born in Amherst county, February 5, 1808. Mr. Tully was
partly reared, however, in West Virginia, at or near Charlestown.
His father, Andy Tully, removed to Charlestown in an early day.
Mr. T.’s mother was a Miss Sallie Taylor before her marriage. They
reared a family of children, as follows : James, who died at Charles¬
town at the age of 22; Martha, the wife of a Mr. Hall, of Virginia;
Alfred, a minister of the gospel in Virginia; Powhatan, also of
Virginia; Loudoun (deceased), Jasper (deceased), Ely, a carpenter
of Virginia; Adeline, married and living in Virginia; Sarah, the wife
of a Mr. Beaver of Virginia ; William, of St. Louis ; Andy, of Lynn
county, Va., and John, the subject of this sketch. John Tully, after
he grew up in West Virginia, where he was married to Miss Nancy
Hoge in 1832, removed to Kentuckv and settled in Washington
county, continuing to reside there for a period of some seven years,
when he came to Missouri in 1840. In this State he located in Van
Buren county, now known as Cass county, where he lived for some 15
years. From there he came to Montgomery county and settled at

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

705

Middletown in the spring of 1863. Mr. Tully has reared a family of
nine children, namely: James, Matthew, Lucinda, William, Paris,
John Wesley, Monford, Tedford and Silas. He relates many inter¬
esting anecdotes of his early years, his school experience in Virginia
and the primitive condition and circumstances of life at that time.
He went to school before the day of glass window panes, and his part
of the country being in advance of the practice of cutting a log out
and leaving the space open to admit the light, they adopted the oiled
transparent paper window panes, those being the best for the purpose
then to be had. Mr. Tully is one of the old-time citizens, now nearly
four-score years of age, but his mind is unimpaired by the flight of
years, and his memory and conversation are remarkable for one of
his age. It is extremely interesting to hear him speak of the early
times of the country, and an hour or so can be no more profitably
spent than in conversation with him about the early events and inci¬
dents he has witnessed.

JAMES W. WELDON

(Dealer in General Merchandise and Postmaster, Gamma P. 0.).

Mr. Weldon engaged in business at this place in 1880, and has since
had a successful business experience here — quite up to his. expecta¬
tions — and his future in business seems only one of promise for a
successful career. Mr. Weldon comes of two families highly re¬
spected in one of the best communities of the State, the people in
and around Lexington, Ky. He was born at that place May 20, 1851,
and was a son of Dr. James Weldon and wife, formerly a Miss Mar¬
garet W. McConnell. His father was a native of Lancaster county,
Pa., but his mother was born and reared in Lexington. Dr. Weldon
was a gentleman of fine culture and a physician of a high order of abil¬
ity and attainments. For many years he was successfully engaged in
the practice at Lexington, and afterwards he practiced at New Orleans,
La. He died at Saratoga Springs, August 26, 1876. His wife is now
living with her son, the subject of this sketch. The family came to
this county in 1859. James W. Weldon was the younger of two
children and was given an advanced education. He studied in the
high schools and military institute of Lexington, Ky., and in Wy¬
man’s University; he also studied at St. Louis, and in the schools of
New York and Philadelphia. On the 7th of October, 1880, he
was married in this county to Miss Cornelia A. Hogsett, a daugh¬
ter of William A. and Sarah E. (Pugh) Hogsett. Mrs. W. com¬
pleted her education at the schools in Moberly. Mr. and Mrs. W.
have two children, Sarah M. and Margaret. Mr. Weldon came to
Montgomery county with his parents in 1859, but remained only a
year, after which he traveled extensively in the United States, and
from time to time resided at different points, including some of the
leading cities of the Union. His wife is a member of the Cumberland

Presbvterian Church, and he is a member of the A. O. U. W.

%/ 7

706

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

WILLIAM P. M. WELLS

(Farmer, Post-office, Olney).

Mr. Wells’ parents, William E. and Mary (Triplet) Wells, came
from North Carolina and located in Lincoln county, Mo., in 1829. The
following year, however, they came to Montgomery county, where
they made their permanent home. His father was an energetic farmer
and died here December 23, 1843. The mother is still living, a resi¬
dent of this countv and is aged 75 years. William P. M. Wells was
the sixth in their family of seven children, and was horn on the home¬
stead in this county March 11, 1841. He received a common-school
education as he grew up on the farm, and remained at home with the
family until his marriage, which occurred September 6, 1866. His
wife was a Miss Celia C. J. Ogelvie, a daughter of Lorenzo D. and
Sophronia (Cottle) Ogelvie, of Lincoln county, this State. Mr. and
Mrs. Wells have two children: Mar}7 S. and Julia E. Mr. W. is the
only one of his father’s family of children now living, and he still re¬
sides on the family homestead, which he has long owned, a good farm
of nearly a quarter section of land. In 1870 he was elected justice
of the peace of Prairie township, an office he still holds, having
been re-elected two years ago. His parents were both members of the
Presbyterian Church, and his mother is still of that denomination.
’Squire W. is a member of no church, but his wife, who died March
28, 1883, was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He is a
member of the A. O. U. W. and the A. F. and A. M.

MORGAN B. WHITE

(Farmer ancl Stock-raiser and Short-horn Cattle Breeder, Post-office, Middletown).

Prominent among the self-made, successful agriculturists and highly-
respected, influential citizens of the north-eastern part of the county
is the subject of the present sketch. The Whites, or the branch of
the family to which our subject belongs, is of Irish ancestry, but
early settled in Virginia, probably during the first half of the last cen¬
tury. John White, from Ireland, was the founder of the family in this
country. He reared a family in Virginia, and among his sons was
Archibald White, who married Dorcas Simpson. They removed to
Kentucky after their marriage and settled in Shelby county, where
they made their permanent home. Among their children Morgan B.
White, Sr., who became the father of the subject of this sketch, was
the first. He was reared in Kentucky to the occupation of a farmer,
but in early manhood also learned the silversmith’s trade, at which
he worked in that State for a time. On his mother’s side, Morgan B.
White, Sr., came of the well known Simpson family, of Virginia,
branches of which are now found in Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri,
and several other States. His mother was a lady of refinement and
many estimable qualities of head and heart. Coming of such parents
as these, whatever his early circumstances might be, it could not have

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

707

been doubted for a moment by those of any forecast who knew him
that Morgan B. White, Sr., was destined to become a man of some
consideration. He was married in Kentucky, in 1822, to Miss Mary
A. Marmaduke, of a branch of the original family of Virginia from
which Gov. Marmaduke, of Missouri, came, and whose son, Gen.
Marmaduke, will also be Governor of this State. Mary A. Marmaduke
was in every way a worthy representative of her family, and was one
of those true, gentle wives and devoted, loving mothers whose whole
object in life seemed to be to make home happy. The same year-that
he married, Morgan B. White, Sr., removed to Missouri with his
young wife and settled in Callaway county, which was then but little
more than a wilderness. After he left Kentucky he directed his whole
time and energy to farming up to his final retirement from the activi¬
ties of life. In 1827 he removed to Montgomery county and settled
on a farm about seven miles from Danville, where he lived for a period
of over 30 years. He was not a man whose highest conception of
life was to accumulate a fortune. A pleasure greater than some men
feel in seeing their possessions gradually enlarged and other property
steadily gathering about them, he felt in a higher sphere of life — in
mental improvement, in storing his mind with useful knowledge. His
favorite studies were civil government, history and the Scriptures.
He also kept well up in current events, and few men of this part of
the country were better informed in politics, history and religion than
he. Added to this, he was a fine conversationalist, a smooth, even
talker. He was extremely fond of society, and nothing afforded him
greater pleasure than to have a circle of friends around him and talk
with them on any of his favorite topics. In politics he was a consist¬
ent, unswerving Democrat; and in religion, an earnest believer m the
doctrines of the Christian Church. In both, however, he was a man
of the greatest liberality. In Montgomery county Morgan B. White, Sr.
soon became recognized as one of its most worthy and representative
citizens. In 1836 he was elected a member of the Legislature, and repre¬
sented his county with marked ability and unswerving integrity. He was
not a man, however, who sought political advancement, and he accepted
a position to which he was elected only at the urgent and repeated
solicitations of the leading men of 'the county. As a farmer he was
only fairly successful. He had a comfortable home and lived well,
always with an abundance for himself and family, and the many good
friends who delighted to enjoy his hospitality. On October 29, 1856,
his first wife, Mary A. (Marmaduke) White, one of the truest and
best of women, one whose noble and excellent qualities illustrated to
more than an ordinary degree the better side of humanity — the pure,
the gentle and the good — wrapped the mantle of her last rest about
her and fell to sleep in death. She passed away, sustained in her last
moments by an abiding faith in the promise other Redeemer. From
an early age she had been a devoted, consistent member of the Chris¬
tian Church, and by all she is remembered as one who made those
around her better and happier by her having lived. She was the
mother of 13 children, 10 of whom lived to reach mature years. To

708

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

his last wife Morgan B. White, Sr., was married in 1858. She was a
widow lady, relict of Elisha Hughes, late of Montgomery county, and
her maiden name was Susan McMurtry. She was a ladv of great
personal worth, a motherly-hearted, good woman, and a devoted wife.
She filled the place of mother to her husband’s children, of those of
them who had not grown up and gone out for themselves, with rare
gentleness and good^judgment, so that her memory occupies a plaice
in their affection only next to that of their own parents. Morgan B.
White, Sr., survived to a ripe and honored old age. After his first
wife’s death he made his home across in Callaway county, some miles
from the Montgomery county line. There he passed peacefully away
March 26, 1883, in his eighty-fourth year. Summing up his life, from
first to last, there is as little found in it for a good man to regret as
seldom falls to the lot of men. He believed that the treasures of the
mind were to be prized far more than material wealth, and that the
father who left his children provided with good educations and integrity
of character transmitted to them a richer inheritance than he who
leaves broad acres and large possessions, without that mental culture
which is the best guarantee of useful and honorable citizenship. Like
his first wife, he died, as he had lived for many years, an exemplary
member of the Christian Church. He may be said to have almost
known the Scriptures by heart, and in a discussion of any Bible
question he was never at loss to quote the different passages bearing
on the point under consideration. By his last marriage there were no
children. The children by his first wife who lived to reach mature
years were William S., a farmer by occupation and for some years
past a resident of Lincoln county; Leonard M., also a farmer and a
resident of Pike county ; Catherine Y., of Washington, D. C., widow
of William Ellis ; Archibald H., ex-sheriff of Montgomery county and
a resident of Danville ; Morgan B., the subject of this sketch ; Bose

M. , a resident of Mexico, Audrain county, and the widow of the late
John Herron; Richard C., a farmer and stock-raiser of Callaway
county; Fannie A., wife of Col. William L. Gatewood, of Montgom¬
ery City ; Samuel M. and Charles M., both of Colorado. The children
Avere given good educational opportunities as they grew up, and the
daughters, especially, had the best advantages the country afforded.
All became lapies of superior culture and accomplishments, and Rose

N. was for some years before her marriage a highly successful and
popular teacher. Morgan B. White, Jr., whose name stands at the
head of this sketch, was born on his father’s homestead in Montgomery
county, December 22, 1833. He was reared on a farm, and about the
time of attaining his majority started out from home for himself,
commencing to work with energy and resolution. Being a man of
good education and sterling intelligence, he was not long in accumul-
ating a nucleus of property about him. Farming, exclusively, was his
first occupation. Later along, when he became able to, he also
engaged in stock raising, and in recent vears he has added fine short-
horn cattle breeding to his other agricultural interests. However, he
has been quite successful, and having become somewhat broken down

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

709

in health in late years, has retired from active work himself. When
the war came on he had just begun to get a ueat start, but in a few
years times became so unsettled that he was compelled to leave the
country at a sacrifice of nearly everything he had made. Having
married in the meantime, he went to St. Louis, where he resided with
his family until after the close of the war. Mr. White returned to
Montgomery county after the war and resumed farming, buying the
place where he now resides. To this, however, he has made frequent
additions, and from time to time has added valuable improvements.
He now has one of the best stock farms in this part of the county and
considerable other lands. His homestead contains 320 acres, and is
handsomely improved. He is making a specialty of breeding and
raising fine thoroughbred short-horn cattle, and has some of the best
representatives of that class of stock to be found in the county. On
December 22, 1858, Mr. White was married to Miss Eliza V. Layson,
a daughter of Josiah Layson and granddaughter of Judge Benjamin
Young, of Callaway county. Mr. White’s married life has been one
of contentment and happiness, and is blessed with a numerous family
of children. Like his father, he has given his children good school
advantages, and all of sufficient age are young people of culture and
refinement. Two of his daughters have taught several successful
schools, and are accomplished in music. His children are : William
G., who is married and is engaged in farming for himself ; Effie, now
the wife of Samuel Burger, a farmer of this county ; Mary A., a suc¬
cessful and popular school teacher; Lou E., also an accomplished
teacher; Morgan, Jr., Rose M., Katie V., Elizabeth W., Jessie W.,
and Everett M., all the latter, including Morgan, being still at home.
Being a man of sterling character and intelligence, as well as an
upright, honorable citizen, Mr. White is, of course, an unswerving
supporter and advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, as
his father was before him, and in all is a good man and useful citizen,
faithful and loyal to his party, his family, his country, and his God.
In religious convictions he is broad and liberal.

W. G. YOUNG

(Of Caley & Young, Dealers in Hardware, etc., and one of the Proprietors of the

Middletown Pottery) .

Mr. Young is a native of Ohio, born at Cincinnati, December 1,
1847. His father was George W. B. Young, one of the four men
who founded the Cincinnati Commercial , then called the C ommercial
Bulletin , a paper the prompt and remarkable success of which was
largely due to his ability as a business manager and his force and
sagacity as a writer. He is well known among the older generation
of newspaper men in Ohio as one of their ablest and most honorable
representatives. Mr. Young’s mother (W. G.’s) was a Miss Emma
L. Le Count before her marriage, of English birth, but of Norman-
French descent. But two children of their family, besides W. G.,
grew to mature years, Willis D., now deceased, and Emma L., now

710

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the wife of C. L. Power, of Louisiana. W. G. Young was reared at
Cincinnati and received an excellent general education as he grew up.
When seventeen years of age, in the winter of 1864-65, he enlisted
in Co. K, One hundred and Eighty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and
served until after the close of the war. He then traveled quite ex¬
tensively through the South and West for several years, and in 1879,
January 15, was married at Hillsboro, O., to Miss Rachel A. Caley,
a daughter of Rev. John Caley, of Highland county, O. A short
time afterwards Mr. Youn^ located at Middletown. Here he formed
a partnership with W. A. Caley, his brother-in-law, in the hardware
business, which they have ever since conducted with success. He is
now establishing a pottery at this place, which will shortly be put in
operation. Mr. and Mrs. Young have had two children, Hope (de¬
ceased) and Clyde. Mr. Young is a member of the G. A. R.

CHAPTER XIII.

BEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — Early Settlers and Settlements — The Lynching of Win.

Looker — A Tragedy of the Civil War — Mnrder of Wm. Finney — Fatal Railroad

Accident — Country Churches — High Hill — Early History — Anderson’s Raid —

After the War — Tragedies — Killing of Thomas Miller and Joel Jones — Church —

Jonesburg — Early History — Founding of the Town — The Civil War — Shooting

of Edward McCullom by Thos. Hess — Since 1865 — Newspapers, Churches, etc. —

Price’s Branch.

This township, comprising the south-eastern portion of the county,
includes those portions of congressional townships 47, 48 and 49,
lying in ranges 3 and 4, within this county. It is quite well watered
and timbered, and the soil is generally excellent. Near Jonesburg
and High Hill a very superior quality of fire-clay, in inexhaustible
quantity, has been found. This has been pronounced superior to any
other fire-clay put upon the market.

EARLY SETTLERS.

Edward (?) Ford settled three miles west of Jonesburg on the

Boone’s Lick road about the year 1822. He was a Kentuckian.

George Bast, who first came to the county in 1819, lived one mile
north of the present site of High Hill in about 1825. He married
for his third wife Elizabeth Ford, daughter of the Ford above men¬
tioned. In February, 1829, Mr. Bast was killed by the falling of a
tree. His widow afterward married Cyrenus Cox. Mr. Bast was the
father of the Hon. George Y. Bast, and the ancestor of the numerous
Bast family of this county.

North of the Bast farm one mile, there lived in 1829 a young mar¬
ried couple named Smith. The father of the husband lived a mile or
two east of High Hill, where the Sisk farm is. Nathaniel Dryden
settled north of High Hill in 1828, coming from Virginia.1 He after¬
ward located on the Boone’s Lick road, east of Danville, and built
Dryden’s noted horse mill.

James Jones came from Rockingham county, Va., in 1829. He
rented for one year the widow Bast’s farm, when he entered the land

1 According to Mrs. Julia A. Deering.

(711)

712

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

on which Jonesburg now is situated, and built the western portion of
the old house on the eastern border of town, which is still standing.
In about 1833 Jones began keeping a stage station at his house, which
was here until the building of the railroad. In about 1838 the post-
office called High Hill was established at Jones’, and he was made
postmaster. After many years the office was removed to Ferguson’s,
west of Jones’, and thence on west, until it finally lodged at High
Hill.

Berry Sublett was another old settler in this township, locating in
1825, some miles north of High Hill.

Lemuel Price, of North Canolina, settled near where the Boone’s
Lick road crosses Camp branch (in what is now Warren county) in
October, 1815, building the first cabin on the branch. His grandson,
bearing the same name, now resides on Loutre Island. It is related

O 7

that Lemuel Price’s cabin was the first built on the prairie in what is
now Montgomery county. Maj. Isaac Van Bibber, Patrick Ewing,
Boone Hays and Lewis Jones assisted in raising the cabin.

Camp branch took its name from the circumstance of its being a
popular camping ground for immigrants coming westward over the
Boone’s Lick road. Price’s branch was named for the family that
settled upon it at an early date.

LYNCHING OF WILLIAM LOOKER.

In the spring of 1861 a young man named Wiliiam Looker, whose
family lived north of Jonesburg, or in the vicinity of Price’s branch,
was lynched by a party of “ regulators,” composed chiefly of citizens
of this township. The young man was accused of poisoning some
cattle belonging to a farmer of this vicinity. Nothing but a general
statement can be made regarding this incident. Some of the men
who composed the lynching party yet live in the township, but the
compiler’s efforts to learn the particulars were in vain.

Looker was seized by the regulators one night and carried off on
horseback towards the Missouri river. It is currently believed that
he was thrown into Loutre slough or into the Missouri river, — either
that he was first hung from the bridge across Loutre slough and then
the body was cut loose and let fall into the slough, or that he was
taken to the river, bound hand and foot, and then by two strong men
hurled into the tawny current of the Missouri.

That night Fred Dryden rode to the residence of the sheriff, T. J.
Powell, near New Florence, to get him to interfere and stop the mur¬
der, but Powell was away from home, and could have done nothing

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

713

investigated.

A TRAGEDY OF THE CIVIL WAR.

During the Civil War only one murder was perpetrated. The vic¬
tim was a young man, named Wm. Henry Finney, aged 20 years and
six months, and a son of William Finney, a farmer, living a mile and
a half east of Jonesburg.

The brothers of young Finney were in the Confederate army at the
time, but he had never taken up arms on either side, and had done no
overt act that could possibly be construed into an act of hostility
against the government. At the time of his death, September 13,
1862, he was enrolled as a student at the High Hill Academv.

A detachment of the newly enrolled militia from St. Charles, or
Warren county, said to belong to Capt. J. E. Ball’s company of the
Thirty-seventh enrolled Missouri militia, were up through the country
“ scouting,” and approached Mr. Finney’s residence on a gallop,
yelling and hooting and brandishing their guns. The family was of
course frightened, and Mrs. Finney called to her son to hide himself.
The boy ran out of the back door and was entering the apple orchard
when he was overtaken bv the militia and shot down at once and
without mercy. Then his murderers rode away somewhat appeased
by the sight of innocent blood.

KILLING OF FRED HENZE AND SON BY THE CARS.

On the 6th of October, 1874, a fatal railroad accident occurred
near Jonesburg, by which Fred Henze and his son, a lad about six
years of age, were killed. Mr. Henze was returning home from Jones¬
burg, with his little son, and in passing over the railroad at Holland’s
crossing, the wagon, a two horse vehicle, was struck by the engine of
a passenger train running west, and both father and son were
killed.

Mrs. Lena Henze, widow of Fred Henze and mother of the boy,
brought suit against the railroad company for the killing of her hus¬
band and son, and upon a trial of the case in Audrain county she
was awarded a verdict of $10,000. The railroad company appealed
the case to the Supreme Court, and in April, 1880, the judgment
was reversed and the case remanded.1 The case was finally com¬
promised.

i See 71 Mo., p. 636.

714

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

COUNTRY CHURCHES.

New Providence M. E. Church South. — This church is in section
35, township 45, range 4, Bear Creek township. It was organized in
the house where J. C. Cope now resides in 1837, with James and
Samuel Cope, John Smith, James Owens, Presley Anderson, and
their wives, Libbie Jones and Caroline and Jane Stewart, as the first
members, and now the membership numbers 70. In 1857 their church
edifice was erected at a cost of $1,200. A number of ministers have
had charge of the congregation : Samuel Coleman, James Callaway,
Rev. Thatcher, Jesse Sutton, Daniel Penny, A. Spencer, William
Barnett, William Newland, A. Sears, George Smith, L. T. McKeily,

S. W. Cope, R. G. Loving, J. R. Taylor, J. S. Allen, H. Craig, J.
H. Ledbetter, J. T. Blakey, John O'Brien, R. P. Jones, J. Dines and
John Holland.

Zion Baptist Church — Is in section 20, township 49, range 3. Its
organization was effected March 15, 1841, the membership then con¬
sisting of John H. Dutton, Washington Graves, Jesse Watkins, Mary
R. Dutton, Mildred Graves, Margaret Sharp and Mary Glover, which
number has since been increased to 35. Several ministers have filled
the pulpit here, among whom are Robert Gilmore, Milen Spiers,
Louis Duncan, William H. Vandemor, David W. Noland, James E.
Welch, James H. Thomas, D. W. Graves, T. T. Johnson, J. D.
Robnett, R. S. Duncan, L. M. Bibb, H. E. Mitchell and J. H. Tudle.
Twelve hundred dollars were expended in building their frame house
of worship in 1859, its dimensions being 40x60 feet. H. A. Hen¬
dricks is superintendent of a Sabbath-school of 30 pupils.

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. — About the year 1854 J. H.
Tolbert, John Biggs, T. J. Johnson, Elizabeth J. Tolbert, Robert
Badger, Margaret Sharp and Emily Dryden formed themselves into a
church organization, now known by the above name. In 1858 a frame
building was constructed two miles north of High Hill, on section 29,
township 48, range 4, Bear Creek township, where it still remains.

T. J. Jackson, D. W. Graves, W. D. Grant and J. T. Smith have
ministered to the spiritual needs of a congregation now numbering 26
members. Twenty scholars are in the Sabbath-school, which is
superintended by Mr. B. Harman.

HIGH HILL.

In 1851 John S. Rowe and John Diggs were the owners of the town
site of the present village of High Hill, in the south-western part of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

715

Bear Creek township (sec. 32-48-4). The following year1 Rowe
sold his farm to Hance Miller, who came in the summer of 1852, and
in connection with Wm. H. Hoss and Mr. Rowe began the erection
of a steam saw and grist mill which is still standing. Miller was a
native of Delaware, but came directly from Belleville, Ill.

In the spring of 1853, Benj. Sharp and F. H. Dry den built a store
on the south side of the Boone’s Lick road, the locality then seem¬
ing a desirable point for a store. The next store was built by Wm.
Craig, and is still standing on the south side of the road. About
this time Dr. Hugh Skinner acquired an interest in Sharp & Dryden’s
store.

In a year or two the High Hill post-office was brought to Sharp &
Dryden’s, and Robt. Dryden made postmaster. Thereafter the vil¬
lage was called High Hill. J. J. Hawkins had the first hotel, Hance
Miller the first blacksmith shop,2 and John S. Rowe the first carpen¬
ter shop. Mrs. Rhoda Tanner built the next house, east of the
church, after Sharp & Dryden’s store. It still stands.

The first child born in High Hill was Francis R. Hoss, on December
17, 1853. He was a son of Wm. H. and Sarah Hoss. The first death
was that of Nancy Elizabeth Rowe, daughter of John S. Rowe ; the
next was that of Charles Lovelace ; the next was Wm. H. Hoss, one
of the mill owners. The first marriage was that of James Hogge and
Marv Rowe, in about 1854 ; it is remembered that the ceremony was
performed by Rev. Dr. Crockett, a Presbyterian minister.

Dr. Hugh Skinner did not practice, and the first resident physician
is believed to have been Dr. Wm. Worthington. Probably the first
school was taught by Mrs. Rider in the old Klise store building.
Robert McElhany and wife also taught in this house before the acad¬
emy was built. In this same building, also, were the first religious
services, and among the first preachers were Father Nichols, a Bap¬
tist, and Rev. Noel, Presbyterian, of Troy.

When the railroad was completed to High Hill, in the late fall of
1857, other houses were built. John Diggs was the first depot agent,
but his son William attended to the business.

The church was built in 1858 by the Methodists and Presbyterians
jointly, although the title is held by the Presbyterians. Rev. Wm.
A. Taylor was probably the first Presbyterian minister to officiate in
this church.

1 According to the widow of Hance Miller, yet living.

2 It is said also that Chas. Lovelace was the first blacksmith.

716

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The academy was built in 1860 by a sort of joint stock arrange¬
ment in which nearly every citizen was a shareholder. The first prin¬
cipal was Robt. A. McElhany, and his wife, nee Missouri Bond,
assisted him.

IN WAR TIMES.

When the Civil War broke out a majority of the citizens of High
Hill and vicinity were secessionists. August 19, 1861, Capt. John J.
Skinner’s company of 50 or 60 men, raised in and about High Hill,
returned from an unsuccessful attempt to reach Price’s army, having
been dispersed near Williamsburg, Callaway county. Emil Rosen-
berger, a Unionist, supposed to be a spy or an informer, narrowly
escaped being hung by them, only being saved through the interfer¬
ence of Smith Pearl, a citizen of the vicinity.

Lycurgus James and his company passed through town in Decem¬
ber, 1861, after engaging in tearing up the railroad; but the company
was badly scattered in the Mt. Zion fight, and many of them were
soon at home again.

December 24, 1861, the Tenth Missouri infantry, Col. George R.
Todd, and the Eighty-first Ohio, Col. Morton, marched across from
Hermann and Loutre Island, arrived at High Hill, and the next day
went on to Danville, and thence into Callaway and on to Mexico, as
detailed elsewhere.

Soon after, in the last of February, 1862, probably, the Tenth Mis¬
souri, numbering then but eight companies, was stationed here. Here
it remained until the first part of April, when it was sent South. The
Tenth Missouri is well and agreeably remembered by the majority
of the people of High Hill and vicinity. A number of its mem¬
bers died of pneumonia and other pulmonary diseases while here,
and the bodies of four of them yet lie in the grave-yard north of
town.

Todd’s regiment left High Hill for the seat of war in April. Soon
after Todd was dismissed from the service for alleged incompetency.
He was from Alexandria, Clark county, and a lawyer by profes¬
sion.

September 12, 1864, at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, Miles
Price, the Confederate raider, with 13 men, dashed into the village
from the westward and held the town an hour or so, but not doino- so
very much damage. Then they rode on to Jonesburg, where they
robbed Hess’ store of $500 worth of goods. (See general' his¬
tory.)

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

717

anderson’s raid.

A month later, or October 15, when Bill Anderson and his terrible
band came in, the people were greatly frightened. Perhaps Emil
Rosenberger, then a saddler, was the worst treated. Him the guer¬
rillas robbed of $130 in cash and nearly that amount of saddles,
bridles, whips, etc., and whipped him unmercifully with his. own
whips.

Jesse Diggs, who lived a little east of town and was well known as
a “ Southern sympathizer,” was treated in a like manner. Thomas
Hogge, another citizen east of town, was robbed of $25.

Other incidents of Anderson’s raid on High Hill are narrated in the
general history in another chapter in this volume.

AFTER THE WAR.

In the fall of the year 1866 the academy building was burned to the
ground. The following year steps were taken to rebuild the institu¬
tion, and in the fall the new building, an exact duplicate of the old
one and occupying the same site, was completed, and is now stand¬
ing.

Only a few houses have been added to High Hill since the war. In
1878 it contained three general stores, one hardware store,
one drug store, one family grocery store, one hotel, two
blacksmith and wagon shops, one saddle and harness shop, one steam
mill, a millinery establishment and two practicing physicians. With
but few alterations in the foregoing directory, the town is the same
to-da}^.

In the vear 1880 Emil Rosenberger, L. P. Miller and Wm. Clark
built a public hall, which stood on the south side of the Boone’s Lick
road, opposite Clark’s store, in the western part of town. The build¬
ing cost $1,600. It was dedicated September 16, 1880. At 10
o’clock Saturday morning, September 16, 1882, exactly two years
after its dedication, this building suddenly burst out in flames and
was totally consumed. The origin of the fire was a mystery.

TRAGEDIES.

Since the war High Hill has been the scene of three or four suicides,
and two homicides. Of the latter the killing of Thomas Miller in
August, 1865, by Wm. F. Wilson, was a notable affair. Wm. Wilson
was the head of a family, and at the time was operating the mill.

718

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Tlios. Miller was a young man, single, aged about 22 or 23, and was
tending bar in the village saloon. During the war he served ’in both
the Federal and Confederate armies, and was looked upon as a dan¬
gerous enemy. Wilson accused Miller of having gone about the
country robbing people. Thereupon Miller wrote Wilson some
threatening letters, warning him that unless he left the country he
would surely be killed.

Early one morning Miller, while feeding his horse, descended on the
outside of the building from the hay loft, when he was fired on by
Wilson who was lying in wait, and fell to the ground and expired
almost instantly.

Wilson was arrested and committed to jail without bail. He was
indicted and tried for murder in the first degree, but being defended
by Hon. John B. Henderson and some of the best local lawyers, was
acquitted on the ground of self-defense.

KILLING OF JOEL JAMES.

In January, 1871, Andrew Sisk killed Joel James in W. P. Diggs’
drug store, in High Hill. Both men were middle-aged. On the
evening of the tragedy James, while going down town from the depot
in company with a friend, and passing the store, saw Sisk through the
open door, as he was sitting there. He entered and was soon engaged
in a scuffle with Sisk, during which Sisk either fell or was thrown to
the floor. James raised up and started, as some say, for a weapon,
and Sisk rose up from the floor on one knee and fired at him with a
pistol. The ball struck James in the back of the head, killing him
instantly.

Sisk was afterward indicted and tried for manslaughter in the
second degree, but was acquitted, and is now a reputable citizen of
the village.

TRAGIC DEATH OF JOHN HENCHEL.

On the evening of March 14, 1879, John Henchel shot himself with
a pistol at his house in High Hill. He was at the time of the shoot¬
ing preparing for a trip to California. Mr. Henchel was a very quiet,
industrious gentleman, and there was no apparent motive for suicide.

HIGH HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This congregation being somewhat small, worship in a frame build¬
ing built by the Methodists and Presbyterians in 1855, at a cost of
$1,500, the former denomination also occupyingthe house. The organ-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

719

ization was formed in 1856, with Joshua Sharp and wife, H. H. Dry-
den and wife and others. Thomas Smith is their present pastor. Mr.
A. S. McCarty is superintendent of a Sabbath-school of 35 members.

JONESBURG.

The land on which the town of Jonesburg: now stands was first set-
tied by James Jones in 1829, and the house he built the following
year (still standing, on the eastern border of town) was the first in
the vicinity. For many years here was a “ stage stand ” on the
old route from St. Charles to the Boone’s Lick, in Howard county.
Here also a post-office called High Hill was established about 1838, at
least after Wetmore’s Gazetteer of 1837 was published, for it makes
no mention of High Hill.

No effort to found a town here was made until after the North Mis¬
souri Railroad was built.

In 1858, Mr. Jones sold 20 acres of land embracing the town site to
W. L. Saulsbury and A. C. Stewart, who at once proceeded to lay out
the town which they called Jonesburg, after James Jones. The High
Hill post-office had long before been removed to the westward.

The first building of any kind put up in Jonesburg was a small
one-story house, built in 1857, used as a saloon by James Duckworth,
and the first dwelling house was also his ; this now forms a part of
Mrs. Finney’s hotel.

A storehouse built by Webb Baker was next and is still standing,
north of the depot. Soon after Moritz Lens, a German, put up the
second store. Henry Godfrey, whose father resided south of town,
came in the fall of 1857, and put up a blacksmith shop in the eastern
part of town. A part of this structure, which has been converted
into a livery stable, is still standing.

The depot building was put up in 1858, after the citizens had agreed
to pay the railroad company a considerable subscription to defray all
expenses of the building, the side-track, etc. The first depot agent
was James Jones, and he was also the first postmaster ; the post-office
was established in 1858.

At the outbreak of the war Jonesburg did not have more than 200
inhabitants. Only three or four stores were in the place and they
stood along Front street, north of the railroad track.

In the middle of July, 1861, when the first Federal troops (Morgan
L. Smith’s Eighth Missouri) came up the railroad, it was three-fourths
of a mile west of Jonesburg where they were bushwhacked by Joe
Sublett, as mentioned elsewhere.

720

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Then in the early fall of 1861 came Capt. Robt. Bailey’s company
of Krekel’s regiment of St. Charles German militia. They robbed
Copp’s and Webb Baker’s stores of what pleased them and plundered
the people of the neighborhood indiscriminately. They arrested
Wright, Smith and Job Price, and it was feared fora time they would
kill them, so fierce and brutal was their demeanor.

In the fall of 1864 Miles Price, the Confederate raider, with per¬
haps a dozen men, captured the town one night and foraged upon it,
levying upon the stores and shops for certain articles of merchan¬
dise.

SHOOTING OF EDWARD M CULLOM.

In July, 1863, Edward McCullom, a farmer, living four miles north
of town, was shot and killed by Thomas H. Hess, in Henry Godfrey’s
blacksmith shop, in Jonesburg. Some days before the shooting Mc-
Cullom’s house had been robbed, and he had stated to some persons
that he believed Hess was one of the robbers. McCullom came in
town armed, and Hess demanded a retraction, which McCullom
refused to make. McCullom had a pistol in his hand, and intimated
to Hess when first accosted that he would use it. The two talked
angrily, and McCullom was backing into the shop when Hess shot
him. He fell and died in a few moments.

A coroner’s jury exonerated Hess, and a military investigation by
the provost-marshal at Troy resulted in his discharge.1 He is now
the village postmaster.

since 1865.

At the close of the Civil War Jonesburg was still a hamlet of but
a few houses. John Stubbs and H. H. Camp formed a partneship in
1865 and 1866 and built 15 or 20 houses in various portions of town,
for sale and rent. This gave the town a start in the right direction
and it has lost nothing since. The academy building was erected in

1 The following certificate from the provost marshal is appended, in justice to Mr.
Hess : —

This is to certify that in the year 1863, while on duty as assistant provost marshal
of the Fourth Sub-District of Missouri, on duty at Troy, Lincoln count}', Missouri,
and acting under orders of and by authority of the provost marshal general of the
State of Missouri, one Thos. H. Hess, of Montgomery county, Mo., was forwarded
to me, under arrest and for the alleged shooting of one McCullom, at or near Jones¬
burg, Mo., with instructions to me to try the case and determine the guilt or inno¬
cence of the aforesaid Thos. H. Hess. That upon a full and thorough investigation
of the circumstances connected with the same, the said Hess was fully and honorably
discharged by me from custody and exonerated from liability in the matter, having
acted in self-defeuse in the cause wherein complaint had been made.

A. C. Marsh,

Ex-Pro. Mar. 4th Sub.-Dist. Mo.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

721

1866, and Rev. William Lewis, now of the M. E. Church South, was
the first principal.

Dr. Hail Pittman, son of Irvine Pittman, first sheriff of the county,
lived near Jonesburg before it was laid out, and practiced among the
first families of the village, but a Dr. Anderson, of Lincoln county,
was the first resident doctor ; he came before the war.

Although a place of some hundreds of inhabitants Jonesburg has
never been incorporated. It has a number of excellent stores and
shops, two good hotels, etc. The public school has three teachers,
with an enrollment of 108 scholars — 48 males and 60 females. There
is also a colored school with one teacher.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper in Jonesburg was the Montgomery county
Leader , established in 1872, by R. W. Harris. It was Democratic
in politics. In size it was a seven-column folio, all printed at home.
In a year or so the Leader was removed to Mexico.

The Jonesburg Free Press was established by a joint stock com¬
pany in February, 1879. Its editor was Robert Rose, author of
“ Pioneer Families of Missouri.” Mr. Rose ran the Free Press
but 43 weeks.

Using the material of the Free Press , William Dyer established
the Jonesburg Journal in the fall of 1879, issuing the first number
November 13. At first it was a five-column folio, then a six-column,
and was Democratic in politics. Mr. Dyer was editor. January 1,
1882, the paper was issued for the first time under the ownership
and management of Mrs. Sue J. Rittenhouse, still the editor, or edi¬
tress, and publisher. In May following she enlarged the paper to a
seven-column folio, its present size. The paper, as Mrs. R. expresses
it, is “ strongly Democratic.” Mrs. Rittenhouse has exclusive edi¬
torial charge, writing her own editorials and assisting in the type¬
setting. She has added $200 worth of material to the office, has a
good job printing outfit, and makes a success of her enterprise in
every way. Her son, Harry S. Rittenhouse, does the greater portion
of the mechanical work.

CHURCHES OF JONESBURG.

M. F. Church South. — This church was organized in 1855, the
names of the original members being George Godfrey, Sr., Julia A.
Dearin, Thomas Jones and wife, D. R. Owens and wife, Dr. Pilman
and wife, George Smith and wife, Henry Godfrey and wife, L. B.

722

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Wells and others. The present membership numbers 79. Those
who have tilled the pulpit here at different times are John R. Taylor,
John O’Brien, J. Y. Blake, R. Craig, Thomas Dines and John Hol¬
land. The frame church building, costing $3,200, was completed in
1868. Mr. Sultz conducts a flourishing Sabbath school of 50
members.

Christian Church. — This is one of the finest churches in the
country, having been constituted an organization November 2, 1867,
with W. J. Skinner, William Finney, Francis Skinner, Duncan Mc¬
Coy, Jacob Stout, Thomas L. Cartwright, George Brooks,
Thomas Kimball, Taylor Purl, H. H. Camp, Sr., H. H.
Camp, Jr., Mahala Jones and A. Thomas and others as first
members. Now the roll contains 30 names. J. T. Brooks, Jacob
Coons, Joel Harding, Thomas Marlow, James Thomas, W. B. Gal-
laher, W. J. Skinner, and possibly one other minister, have preached
to this congregation. Their church building is a brick structure,
built in 1869, and costing $3,000. Mjr. W. J. Skinner is superin¬
tendent of a Sabbath-school of 40 members.

Baptist Church. — The building of this body is a frame, built for
$1,800 in 1882, located at Jonesburg. The membership is rather
small, numbering 15, and at the organization in 1880 the members
were W. E. Scott and wife, W. J. Rixey and wife, Miss Vinson,
Mollie James, Dr. C. B. Faulkner and wife, Miss Mary Johnson,
Allie Ferguson and R. H. Sheets. Rev. S. M. Bibb occupies the
pulpit as pastor. Mr. W. J. Rixey superintends a Sabbath-school
of 70 scholars.

Church of the /Sacred Heart ( Catholic ) — Was organized in
1868, those comprising the communicants at that time being A. A.
Hess and family, James Moriarty and family, Thomas Cahey and
family, Patrick Fuller and family, Stephen Stanton and family,
and Michael McMahan and his family. The congregation now num¬
bers thirty persons. Fathers O’Neil, Michael McCabe, John David,
J. J. Head and Father Howe have been in charge here. Their
church building, a frame structure, was constructed in 1868 at a
cost of $1,200.

price’s branch.

This little hamlet, on the south-west corner of section 2 and
south-east corner of section 3, township 48, range 4, was first
known as Woollam’s mill ; but on the establishment of the post-
office in 1854 the name was changed to Price’s Branch. It has
been quite a trading point for some years. Has nearly always had

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

723

one or two stores, shops, etc., and an excellent saw and grist mill.
It contains perhaps ten houses. According to Col. Thompson’s
hand-book, it had in 1879 “ one store, a saw and grist mill, a card-
ins: machine and one church edifice.”

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN ADAMS •

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Adams, a highly respected old gentleman, who recently set¬
tled in Montgomery county, but who bought the land where he now
resides in 1854, came originally from Philadelphia, where he was born
September 12, 1817, but at the age of 22 he came to St. Louis county,
where he resided for nearly 40 years, or until his removal to Mont¬
gomery county in 1877. His father was William Adams, of Pennsyl¬
vania, a soldier in the War of 1812, and who died in 1835. His
mother was a Miss Lydia A. Towns ; she died in 1825. The subject
of this sketch has been singularly unfortunate in his married life,
until his present wife, a most excellent and estimable lady, came to
brighten his home. He was twice previously married, and twice
death entered his home and robbed him of his beloved companion.
Then the inexorable angel took from him each of his happy, joy¬
ous children, those given to him by his first wife and those by his
second. But a man of a warm domestic nature, a lover of his kind,
and especially fond of children, he has adopted several and has done,
or is doing by them, the full part of a generous, tender, affectionate
parent. His first wife was a Miss Sarah Patton, a daughter of James
Patton, formerly of Virginia. She bore him two children, both of whom
were called to abide with her in heaven. His second wife was a Miss
Louisa Patton, a sister to his first wife, who was spared to him only a very
short time. Her little infant is buried by her side. To his present
wife he was married in 1855. She was a Miss Nancy Harris, a daugh¬
ter of Simpson Harris, an early settler of St. Louis county. One of
their adopted children, J. Wm. Adams, is now a young man. The
other, Frank W. Walker, is a bright and promising youth, and both
are as greatly loved by their foster-parents as if they were their na¬
tural children. Mr. Adams’ farm contains 240 acres, and is a com¬
fortable homestead. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church
South.

724

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

JAMES R. B. AYDELOTT

(Farmer, Post-office, Truxton).

Mr. Aydelott, an industrious farmer and respected citizen of Bear
Creek township, is a native of Missouri, born in Warren county, April
21, 1844. His parents, William R. A. and Nancy (Hailip) Aydelott,
settled in that county many years before the war. His father was
originally from Delaware, but his mother from Virginia. They are
still living in Warren county, and have reared six children, namely:
James R. B., the subject of this sketch; George H., of Warren
county; William T., a merchant of Lincoln; George B., of this
county; Samuel T., of Warren county; and Tabitha J., wife of
Harrod Aston, of Warren county. James R. B. Aydelott was born
on his father’s farm in Warren countv. April 21, 1844, and although
only 17 years of age when the war broke out, he promptly
enlisted in the Union service, entering the command of Gen. Canby,
and served until the close of the war. Returning to Warren county
after the war, he was married there in 1869 to Miss Missouri E. Han¬
cock, a daughter of Thornton Hancock, formerly of Virginia. He
followed farming in Warren county until 1870, when he moved to
Montgomery county and settled on the farm where he now resides.
He has a place of 150 acres, well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Aydelott
have had three children : Ethel E., who died in 1871 ; Elpha, who
died at the age of four years, in 1876; and Milton E., now a lad
seven years of age. Mr. A. is a member of the A. F. and A. M.,
and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

HAMPTON BALL

(Farmer, Contractor and Miller, Post-office, Mineola).

Mr. Ball was a lad four years of age when his parents Augustus and
Elizabeth Ball, came to Missouri from Fauquier count}-, Va., where
Hampton wras born, March 4, 1830. On coming to this State they
settled, first, in St. Louis countv. Five vears later the family re-
moved to Montgomery county, and the same year of their removal to
this county the father died, in 1841. Meanwhile the mother had also
died, and the father had married a second wife, a lady whose maiden
name was Susan Richardson. By the first wife there were nine chil¬
dren, and by the second, three. At the age of eleven years, there¬
fore, Hampton Ball was left an orphan, with his own way to make in
the world as best he could ; but by industry he managed to provide
himself with the necessities of life. He grew up and developed into
hardy young manhood and learned the occupation of farming. Later
along he also learned milling. December 16, 1851, he was married
to Miss Margaret Culpp, a daughter of Daniel Culpp, of this county.
She lived to brighten his home for about fifteen years, but at last, in
the summer of 1866, departed this life, leaving six children : Daniel

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

725

A., Alexander A., William, Caleb C., Elizabeth N. and Thomas W.

Meanwhile Mr. Ball had become interested in contracting, a business

he has followed for a number of years. He now has a railway con-

%/ •/

tract for the supply of a large number of ties to the Wabash road.
Mr. B.’s second wife survived only a short time after her marriage.
She was a Miss Susan Powell, and their only child is also deceased. He
subsequently married Miss Martha E. Wilson, of this county. This
union was blessed with three children, but one of whom is living,
Walter L. She, too, was taken away by death in 1882. To his
present wife Mr. Ball was married about a year ago. She was a Miss
Arabella Ball, a daughter of Benjamin Ball, of this county. Mr. B.
is a member of the M. E. Church South, and his wife of the Pres¬
byterian Church. Mr. Ball is one of the substantial citizens and
leading land-holders of the county, and has nearly 3,000 acres of line
land. He also has a valuable residence property in Jonesburg.

GEORGE V. BOHRER

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City;.

Mr. Bohrer is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria near the
Rhine, May 15, 1819. His parents were George and Katherine

(Rifflem archer ) Bohrer, and when he was about six years of age, the
family immigrated to America and settled in Ohio. The mother died
in Illinois in 1877, and the father in 1880. George Bohrer, Jr., was
raised in Ohio, where he married, and when a young man came on
further west, to Illinois, with his wife, Miss Nancy Moore, wrho was
also originally of Ohio, a daughter of Samuel G. Moore. Mr. Bohrer
resided in Illinois for over twenty years after his marriage, and then
in 1865 removed to Missouri, settling in Montgomery county, on the
land where he has lived continuously for over nineteen years. His
homestead contains over 160 acres, and is substantially and com¬
fortably improved. Besides this he has 180 acres in another
tract, which is also improved. His wife died in 1873, having borne
him eight children, namely: Catherine, Mary E., wife of Liman Hall,
Nancy E., Emily, wife of John Rhodecker ; Lena D., wife of Wal¬
ter Black; Henrietta, and Charles. Ella died in Montgomery
county Mo., in her twenty-first year.

HENRY BOLTON

(Farmer and Carpenter, Post-office, Jonesburg).

Mr. Bolton is from the old Keystone State, born in Lebanon county
November 14, 1839. He was raised in that county and learnd the
carpenter’s trade as he grew up. He also worked on the farm in
youth. He continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1878, when he
came to Missouri and located in Montgomery county. He has since
resided in this county and been engaged in work at his trade and in
farming. In 1862 he was married in Pennsylvania, to Miss Fannie
Stock, also of Lebanon county. They have had twelve children, ten

726

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

of whom are living: Gideon, William, Edward, Harney, Mary,
Sarah, Amelia, Clara, Anna and John. He and wife are members
of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Bolton’s farm contains 120 acres lo¬
cated in section 8, near Jones burg, and is well improved. His father
and mother are both deceased. The former died in Pennsylvania in
1875. His mother, who was a Miss Mary Simmons before her mar¬
riage, died about six years ago. Both were members of the Lutheran
Church.

WILLIAM A. CARTER

(Stock Farmer and Stock Dealer/Post-office, Jonesburg).

Mr. Carter is by name and descent a representative of the old and
distinguished Carter family of Virginia, one of the older representa¬
tives of which in Virginia was Robert Carter, President of the Council
of Virginia in 1726, and the owner of 1,100 slaves and 300,000 acres
of land. Another one, Robert Carter, Jr., a grandson of Robert Car¬
ter, Sr., just mentioned, is noted ill history for his voluntary and
philanthropic emancipation of nearly 1,000 slaves. Among other
leading families that married into the Carter family, including the
Jeffersons, were the Harrisons, the same family of which President
Harrison was a representative, and of which Senator Ben. Harrison,
of Indiana, and Carter Harrison, late the Democratic candidate for
Governor of Illinois, are also representatives. Mr. Carter, the sub¬
ject of this sketch, was born in Pittsylvania county, Va., August 10,
1856. His father was Edward Carter, and his mother, before her
marriage, was a Miss Amelia Morton. The family in Pittsylvania
county rank among the best people of that county, and are univer¬
sally esteemed. In easy circumstances before the war, the devasta¬
tions of that unhappy strife greatly reduced their fortune. One of
its most serious results was to prevent the younger members of the
family from securing advanced educations at college. At the early
age of 17, William A., the subject of this sketch, started in
the world to make his own way in life and went to California, where
he was engaged in mining for two years. He then returned East as
far as St. Charles county, Mo., where he stopped for a short time.
Following this he entered the State University, at Columbia, where
he took a course of one year, matriculating from that institution into
Washington University, at St. Louis. Subsequently he was a mem¬
ber ot a large boot and shoe house in St. Louis where he remained
for about two years, obtaining a practical knowledge of the details of
mercantile business. In 1879 he went to New Mexico, engaged in
stock trading, and followed it with success for about two years. Re¬
turning then to Missouri, he located in Montgomery county, where he
owns a fine stock farm of 400 acres, near Jonesburg. Here he has
since continued the stock business with good success. Some years
ago, however, he decided to devote himself to the legal profession,
and he is now taking a regular course of study with that object in
view. Mr. Carter is a young man of good education and almost rest-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

727

less energy, and he can hardly fail to distinguish himself at the bar
and perhaps in public life.

THOMAS CASEY

(Farmer, and Railroad Section Foreman, Post-office, Jonesburg).

Mr. Casey is a native of county Limerick, Ireland, born on the
31st of July, 1841. His parents were Patrick and Bridget Casey,
both of whose ancestors were long settled in the Emerald Isle beyond
the Sea. They had a family of 10 children, all of whom are living
and all members of the Catholic Church. Thomas Casey was reared
in his native county in Ireland and at the age of 22 came to America,
and pushed on out to the town of Seven Walnuts, in Kansas. After
a residence there of some two and a half years, he came to Montgom¬
ery county, and located at Jonesburg. Here he became section fore¬
man on the Wabash Railroad and has ever since discharged the duties
of his position efficiently and faithfully, and greatly to the satisfac¬
tion of the railway company. Mr. Casey is a man of industry, and
with an intelligent regard for economy, so that he has been able to
accumulate some property. He has invested his spare means in a
good farm, which he now owns, containing 75 acres, well improved.
In 1876 he was married to Miss Johanna Moriartv, also formerly of
Ireland. They have four children : James, Mary, Thomas and Taresa.
Mr. and Mrs. Casey are members of the Catholic Church.

WALDEN G. CLARE,

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Among the largest landholders of Montgomery county, though
never a resident of the county, was Daniel Clare, originally of Virginia,
the father of the subject of this sketch. He was of German descent,
but his ancestors had long been settled in the Old Dominion. He came
to Missouri by way of Kentucky, in 1829 j and bought land in Lincoln
county, an old Spanish grant from the Chouteaus. He had been a sol¬
dier in the War of 1812 and received a government land grant in rec¬
ognition of his services, which he “laid” on a tract ot land in
Montgomery county. He also entered and bought large tracts in this
county, and at one time owned nearly 2,000 acres. He died on his
homestead in Lincoln countv, in 1843. He was twice married. His first
wife was a Miss Jane Hansford, a daughter of the Rev. Thomas Hans-
ford, a pioneer Baptist minister of Kentucky, and a friend and compan¬
ion of Daniel Boone, uniting also the qualities of an Indian fighter with
those of minister. She died in 1834, and Mrs. Fannie Cox, a widow
lady, whose maiden name was McClure, became Mr. Clare’s second wife.
She survived until 1880. He had a family by both his first and second
wives, and Walden G. was born of the first union, in Lincoln enmity,
January 23, 1828. He was reared on the farm in Lincoln county,
and in 1849 was married to Miss Nancy Gililland, a daughter of the
old pioneer settler of that county, John Gililland, a sketch of whose

728

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

life is given on pp. 602-606 of the “ History of Audrain County ” re¬
cently issued by the publishers of this work. After his marriage Mr.
Clare removed to Montgomery county, and settled on the land which
he now owns — a farm of 250 acres, well improved, and here he is
engaged in raising stock. He also feeds cattle and hogs for the
wholesale markets. He and his good wife have seven children,
namely : Francis, who died in 1865, at the age of 16 years ; William,
Alice, the wife of Alexander Jefferson ; Sallie, the wife of Dr.
Muns ; Frank D., Maggie, the wife of Frank Hensley ; Cynthia, and
an infant, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Christian
Church.

ABRAHAM DAY AULT

(Dealer in General Hardware, Farm Implements, etc., Jonesburg).

Mr. Davault’ s father, Peter Davault, was one of the early settlers
of Montgomery county, Mo. He and his young wife, Mary ( nee
Hoss), emigrated from East Tennessee and settled in this county in the
fall of 1831. He was a successful farmer, a man of sterling integrity,
a well known and highly respected citizen. He died at the home of
his adoption in 1872, and his wife in 1883. They were both humble
and consistent Christians, having been converted under the preaching
of Rev. Andrew Monroe, in 1835. They had nine children, of whom
Abraham, the subject of this sketch, was the second. Abraham was
born March 3, 1835, in Montgomery county, Mo. He received a lib¬
eral education, and inheriting the characteristics of his father — a
desire to do good in an humble wav — devoted many years to teach¬
ing, with eminent success. Mr. Davault was united in marriage,
July 14, 1868, to Miss Medora E. Jones, daughter of Thomas and
Catharine Jones. Mrs. Davault was for several years in charge of
the department of music in Central Female College, Lexington, Mo.,
and has since held places of distinction. Mr. and Mrs. Davault have
had four children, of whom only two are living, Juliet Emma and
Anna Theresa. In 1883 Mr. Davault engaged in the general hard-
ware business, in Jonesburg, a town of Montgomery county, named
for Mrs. D.’s grandfather. Striving to merit the confidence reposed
in him, Mr. D. has had a constantly increasing trade.

DAVID C. DRYDEN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, High Hill).

The Dryden family, wide and favorably known in north-east Mis¬
souri, settled in this section of the State in an early day, among the
pioneers of the country ; and representatives of the family are found
in most of the counties between the two rivers up to the Chariton and
in other parts of the State, particularly in St. Louis, Saline county,
etc. The branch of the family of which the subject of the present
sketch is a representative has been settled in Montgomery county for
more than half a century. Mr. Dryden was a son'of Judge Nathaniel

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

729

Dryden, originally of Virginia. Judge Dryden was reared in Virginia,
and was a gallant soldier from that State in the War of 1812. He was
a captain in the army, and led his company with conspicuous bravery
in more than one of the hard fought battles of the war. Married in
Virginia, he continued to reside there until 1830, when he removed to
and settled in Montgomery county, Mo. Here he became a successful
farmer and one of the prominent citizens of the county. He served
as county judge and held other positions of local prominence, includ¬
ing that of sheriff, etc. One of his sons became a judge of the
Supreme Court of the State and a lawyer of eminence. Judge Dryden,
the father, was married a second time, his first wife having been taken
from him by death. She was a Miss Ellen Laughlin, of Virginia.
She left no children at her death. His second wife was a Miss Mar¬
garet Craig, by whom he had 13 children, eight now living. Judge
Dryden, pere, died on his homestead in this county in 1858, widely
and deeply mourned. David C. Dryden, the subject of this sketch
and the fifth in Judge Dryden’s family of children, was born in Wash¬
ington county, Va., August 2, 1829. He was, therefore, in infancy
when the family came to Missouri, and was reared in Montgomery
county. In 1858 Mr. Dryden (David C.) was married in Warren
county to Miss Belle Hutton, a daughter of William Hutton, of that
county, but formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Dryden have one
child, Stella N. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Dryden, who was reared a farmer, has followed that occupation
continuously from boyhood. He has a neat farm in section 28, where
he resides.

NINIAN M. EDWAKDS

(Farmer, Post-office, Jonesburg).

Mr. Edward’s father, John Edwards, was one of the early business
men of St. Louis, and was engaged in the grocery trade there until
his death. He died during the small-pox epidemic of 1836, of that
dread disease. He was from Virginia to St. Louis, but was married
at the latter place. His wife’s maiden name was Miss Catharine Hoss.
She was originally of Maryland. They had but one child, the sub¬
ject of this sketch. The mother afterwards married Joseph Denoe and
the family removed to Monroe county, Ill., where Ninian was reared.
He was the only child of the family and was brought up to the occu¬
pation of a miller, and afterwards followed farming for some years.
In 1852, having come to Montgomery county in the meantime in
1852, he engaged in farming in this county, and has ever since fol¬
lowed that occupation. In 1854, Mr. Edwards was married to Miss
Lucy A. Skinner, a daughter of Francis and Lucy Skinner, of this
county. Ten children have been born of this union, eight of whom are
living, namely : Annie E., Felitita J., Francis H., Sylvanus W., Lucy
M., Robert N., Thomas H., Julia W. F., Sallie L., Lola L. Mr. and
Mrs. E. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Edwards has a
good farm of over 200 acres, situated in section 30, near Jonesburg.

730

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

He was born in St. Louis, April 19, 1833, and is now, therefore, fifty-
one years of age.

FRANCIS M. ELLIS

(Farmer and Breeder of Pecheron Horses and Essex Pigs, Post-office, New Florence

Mo).

Mr. Ellis’ father, Benj. Ellis, was one of the pioneer settlers of
Montgomery county, or rather his parents were early settlers here,
having come to this county from Tennessee as early as 1818. Benj.
Ellis was married in this county on the 30th of May, 1829, to Miss
Catharine McGarvin, formerly of Ohio. In 1858 they removed to
Callaway county, where they made their permanent home. Mrs.
Catharine Ellis died there July 20, 1881, and Benjamin, her husband,
died August 24, 1881. They had a family of three children : Francis
M., Sarah A. and Elizabeth C., all of whom are living. Francis M.
Ellis, the subject of this sketch, was born on his father’s homestead in
Montgomery county, June 13, 1834. He was reared on the farm and
on the 5th day of January, 1860, was married to Miss Ann Eliza
Leach, daughter of Regin and Catharine Leach of this county. His
wife died October 5, 1861, just 21 months from date of marriage. At
that time the great Civil War was raging, which perhaps caused him to
remain a widower until January 25, 1866, when he was married again
to Miss Matilda E. Leach, youngest sister of his first wife. They have
four children: Harmar, Jewett P., Rosa Lee and Benj. R. He and
wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. E.
has been continuously engaged in farming since previous to first mar¬
riage ; he has a well improved prairie farm, in section 19, township
48, range 4 west, two miles due east of New Florence, where can
be found some as fine colts and pigs as Montgomery county affords.
In fact Mr. E. has done more towards the improvement of draft
horses than any man in the county.

DAVID FLEET

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

This old and respected citizen of Bear creek township, has been
residing on the farm where he now lives for over 25 years. His tract
of land contains 330 acres, 300 of which are fenced and in a good con¬
dition of improvement. He is a native of New York, born in Schuy¬
ler county, February 24, 1819. His father was Abraham Fleet,
formerly of New Jersey, and his mother’s maiden name Elizabeth
Wood, her parents also being from New Jersey. Mr. Fleet was reared
in New York, and in 1843 was married to Miss Rachel Boyce, of New
York, but of an old New Jersey family, a daughter of Leonard Boyce.
In 1856 he removed to Ohio and two years later came to Missouri,
settling in Montgomery county, on the land where he now resides, which
he bought unimproved at $6 an acre. He improved his farm himself
and from that time to this has been one of the industrious, energetic

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

731

farmers of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Fleet have had five children :
Samuel H., who died February 27, 1884, in the forty-first year of his
age; Alice, the wife of C. C. McCarty ; Susie E., who died at an early
age ; Addie, the wife of A. M. Kibler, and Amy.

JAMES M. FOREMAN, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon; and of Foreman & Dyer, Druggists, Jonesburg).

Dr. Foreman graduated at the Jefferson Medical College, of Phila¬
delphia, in the class of 1851-52, and at once engaged in the practice
of his profession in Jefferson county, Va., where he was born and had
been reared. He had received an excellent general education, and
afterwards took a thorough preparatory course of study under an able
and successful physician of Jefferson county before entering the med¬
ical college. His first term of lectures was attended at the medical
department of the University of Virginia. He went to Philadelphia,
however, to take a second term at the well known Jefferson Medical
College. Possessed of a marked natural aptitude for the medical
profession, and having qualified himself so thoroughly for the intelli¬
gent discharge of his duties as a physician, his success in the practice
was assured from the beginning. Believing that this section of North
Missouri afforded better opportunities for the useful and successful
expenditure of his energies and talents as a physician than could be
had in Virginia, he came West in 1853 and located in Montgomery
county, where he has ever since been busily engaged with the duties
of his calling. For over 30 vears he has visited the sick and admin-
istered to the suffering in this vicinity of Montgomery county, and
has become widely known as an able and successful physician, and has
an established practice that could be separated from him only by his
death or removal. Dr. Foreman is greatly esteemed in this commu¬
nity, and well he may be, for his life has been one of value to the
people and without reproach. As has been intimated, he is a son of
the Old Dominion by nativity, born in Jefferson county, April 13,
1829. He was one in a family of 14 children, five of whom are liv¬
ing. His father, Jacob Foreman, died in Hickory county, Mo., in
1876. His grandfather was a Revolutionary patriot, and was with
Washington through the struggle for independence. After the war
he settled in the Shenandoah valley, from whence the family scat¬
tered. J. M.’s mother, who was a Miss Eliza Locke, died in 1862.
She was of one of the oldest and most noted families of Virginia. In
youth, or when about 17 years of age, Dr. Foreman studied civil en¬
gineering, but from that afterwards turned his attention to the medi-

o o 7

cal profession. He was married in Lincoln county, Mo., in 1853, to
Mi ss Rachel M. Dyer, a daughter of David Dyer, formerly of Vir¬
ginia. The Doctor has been a member of the American Medical As¬
sociation for many years, and is one of the five physicians who
organized, and is now President of the Linton District Medical Asso-
ciation, one of the most promising societies in the State ; the present
membership being over 300. As a surgeon he ranks high. He is the

732

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

inventor of the “sandbox” for the treatment of fracture of the
lower extremities, and is the author of numerous monographic articles
on medicine and surgery.

JOHN GARDNER

(Fanner, Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Price’s Branch).

Throughout the eastern part of the countv Mr. Gardner has long
been known as one of the leading farmers and stockmen of his vicin-
ity. He came to Montgomery county in 1857, where he bought land
and improved a farm. A man of industry, energy and good business
qualifications, he has accumulated a large property, principally in land
and stock. Notwithstanding he has set otf to his children some (300
acres of land, he still has over 1,400 acres in his own name, all fenced
and in a good state of improvement. Besides raising grain and grass
on an extensive scale, he also raises large numbers of stock, and has
an excellent grade of short-horn cattle on his place. Mr. Gardner
also buys and ships stock to the wholesale markets. He is a Kentuckian
by nativity, born in Garrard county, December 19, 1829. Reared in his
native county, he was brought up a farmer, and in 1851 was married
to Miss Lucy A., a daughter of William and Barbara Pearl, formerly
of Lincoln county, Ky., but later of this State and now deceased : she
was born November 2, 1834. Some six years after . his marriage, Mr.
Gardner continued to reside in Kentucky ; he then removed to Missouri
and settled in Montgomery county. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have nine
children: William I., James H., Azariah W., Barbara E., Matilda
L., Mary E., Virginia L. and Lucy S. Two others, John T. and Annie,
are deceased. James, Barbara, Matilda and Mary are married and
reside in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are members of the
Christian Church. Wm. I. Gardner is also an extensive buyer and
feeder and shipper of cattle. He owns 1,000 acres of land.

HENRY M. GODFREY

(Blacksmith, Jonesburg).

Mr. Godfrey was born in Montgomery county June 19, 1839, and
is a son of George Godfrey, a native of England, who came to
America in 1834, and after a residence of three years located at
Jonesburg, where he established a blacksmith shop and also followed
farming near by. Mr. Godfrev, Sr., is still living and is now in the
eighty-sixth year of his age. His wife (now deceased) was a Miss
Mary Ostick, of England, and they were married on the other side
of the Atlantic. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom
are living, all grown to years of maturity and most of them the heads
of families themselves. Henry M. was the seventh in their family,
and was reared to the blacksmith’s trade. After working under his
father for some years, he then established a shop of his own, and a
number of years ago engaged, also, in the manufacture of agricultural
implements. He has had measurable success and his plow and other

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

733

implements have a good sale. January 29, 1863, Mr. Godfrey was
married to Miss Rachel Thomas, a daughter of John Thomas, of this
county. His first wife survived her marriage about 10 years and prior
to her death had borne him four children, but one of whom is living,
Lee. To his present wife Mr. Godfrey was married in 1875. She
was a Miss Hattie McClure, a daughter of Philemon McClure, of this
county. They have had four children, but only two are living : Emma
M. and Edward E. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the M. E.
Church South.

HUGH G. GOODRICH

(Of Logan & Goodrich, Proprietors of Jonesburg Flouring, Grist and Saw Mill).

Mr. Goodrich’s father, Robert Goodrich, has been a resident of
Montgomery county for 30 years, and is still living on his farm, 12
miles south-west of Jonesburg, one of the worthy and highly respected
citizens of Danville township, where he has a good farm. He is a
Virginian by nativity, and came to Missouri over half a century ago.
He first located in Monroe county, where he resided for nearly 25
years. From there he came to Montgomery county in 1854, where
he has made his home ever since. His wife’s maiden name was Miss
Margaret E. Hart, also originally of Virginia. They became the
parents of 14 children, three of whom died in infancy and 11 are still
living. Hugh G. Goodrich was the secoud in their family of children,
and was born in Monroe county September 29, 1852. He was there¬
fore principally brought up in Montgomery county, and was reared on
his father’s farm. His primary education was received in the district
schools, and subsequently he took a course at the State Normal School
in Kirksville, and also a course at the State University. Mr. Good¬
rich followed the occupation of teaching with success for some eight
years, and became widely and favorably known as a teacher in Mont¬
gomery and neighboring counties. Desiring, however, to engage in a
more active life, in 1883 he became a partner with Mr. Logan in the
milling business, in which he has since continued with satisfactory
success. Their mill does a general custom business in flour and meal,
and also has a good sawing patronage. October 8, 1882, Mr. Good¬
rich was married to Miss Lizzie Loens, daughter of Moritz and Bertha
Loens. Mrs. Goodrich survived her marriage, however, less than two
years, dying March 28, 1884. She left him one child, Loens. She
was for 20 years a consistent and exemplary member of the Presby¬
terian Church, and died as she had lived — a true Christian.

HARRISON K. GORAM

(Farmer, Post-office, Jonesburg).

Mr. Goram is a native of the Old Dominion, a son of Harrison
Goram, Sr., and wife, nee Marv Kelley, both of old Virginia fami¬
lies. They had but two children, of whom Harrison K. is the only
one living. He was born in Fairfax county April 8, 1807, and was

734

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

reared in his native count}^. His father, who served in the "YV ar of
1812, was a wagon-maker by trade, and to this occupation Harrison
K. was brought up. The father died, however, while in the army,
during the War of 1812. Reared in his native county, he then came
to Missouri and located, first, in St. Louis county. A year or two
later he came up to St. Charles county, where he followed his trade,
and in 1852 settled in Montgomery county, where he engaged in
farming. Here he continued to follow the occupation of a farmer,
and a few years ago retired from active work on the farm. He is
now a resident of jonesburg. Mr. Goram has been married twice.
To his first wife, Miss Nancy Locke, he was married in Jefferson
countv, Va. She was a daughter of John Locke. She bore Mr.
Goram seven children, only two of whom are living: Asbnry W.,
the subject of the next sketch, and Harrison M. She died in 1858.
Mr. Goram’s second wife was a widow lady, Mrs. Evan Pitman, and
to her he was married on the 19th of January, 1862. She died
August 19, 1863. Mr. Goram is a man whose life has been one to
which as little blame has attached as seldom falls to the lot of men in
this world, and now in his old age he has the respect that is due such
lives.

Asbury W. Goram, the eldest son living of Harrison K. Goram,
was born and reared on his father’s farm ; growing up on which
he acquired the taste for farm life, and particularly for handling stock,
which influenced him to adopt these pursuits as his permanent calling
in life. He has, therefore, ever since been engaged in agricultural
life, especially in the stock business. In 1858, however, he went to
Colorado, where he was employed for a short time in mining ; but
returning in a little while he resumed his favorite pursuit. In 1871,
in addition to bis stock business, he became a member of the mercan¬
tile firm of Beagle & Goram at Jonesburg ; but he is still handling
stock, and has the name of being one of the best judges of stock in
this part of the county. In 1865 Mr. Goram was married to Miss
Elizabeth King, a daughter of Isaac King of this countv. Mr. and
Mrs. G. have been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living :
Greene, Mattie N., Mamie, Georgia, Locke and Florence. Mr. and
Mrs. G. are members of the M. E. Church.

DANIEL R. HOWELL

(Merchant and Farmer, Price’s Branch).

Young and Christian Howell came to Missouri from Kentucky, in
1830, and settled in Lincoln county, where they made their perman¬
ent home and reared their family of 10 children. Daniel R., who
was the eighth child (seven older and two younger) in their family,
was born on the farm in Lincoln county, December 2, 1848, and re¬
ceived an ordinary district school education as he grew up. At the
age of 21 he engaged in mercantile business at New Florence, in this
county, where he continued for about 10 years. He then located at
Price’s Branch, and has been at his present location ever since. For

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

735

a time he was a member of the firm of Howell & Purl which carries
an excellent stock of general merchandise and does a good business.
Early in 1882, however, he sold out his interest in the store and en¬
gaged in handling the stock. He is now postmaster at Price’s Branch
and is still carrying on the business of the store He also has 20 acres
of good land near this place, which is improved and in cultivation.
November 24, 1880, Mr. Howell was married to Miss Ada R., a
daughter of John H. and Mary Purl, of this county. Mr. and Mrs.
H. have two children : John A. and Henry M. He and wife are mem¬
bers of the Christian Church, and he is a superintendent of the Sun¬
day-school at this place. Mr. Howell is an active member of the A.
F. and A. M.

JOHN JACKSON

(Retired Contractor and Builder, Jonesburg).

Mr. Jackson is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette county,
December 11, 1818. His parents were James and Mary (Hurrystone)
Jackson, his father a native of Virginia, but his mother originally of
Ireland. They had a family of seven chileren, two of whom are
living. The father was a farmer by occupation, and both parents
were members of the Presbyterian Church. John Jackson was the
fourth child in their family, and when quite a young man learned the
carpenter’s trade. In 1851 he was married at Pittsburg, Pa., to
Miss Elvira Chalfant, a daughter of David and Eliza Chalfant. Mr.
Jackson continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1852, when he came
to St. Charles county, Mo. From there he subsequently removed to
Warren county, and after a residence of several years in the hitter
county, he came to Montgomery county, where he has ever since re-
sicred. An experienced and skillful carpenter, he followed contract¬
ing and building in this county for many years, and during this time
put up some of the best houses in this part of the county. On the
25th of February, 1882, Mr. Jackson lost his wife by death. They
had been married for 36 years, and her death was the heaviest be¬
reavement that could have befallen her sorrowing husband in this life of
partings and sore trials. She had borne him six children, five of whom
are living: Lewis, William, George, Anna and Jennie. Mr. Jackson
had previously been married, but his first wife, a Miss Mary Danks,
lived only four years. He has one child by his former union, Mary
E. ; another is deceased.

THOMAS B. JONES

(Teacher, Jonesburg).

Mr. Jones, who was educated with a view of becoming a profes¬
sional educator, took a thorough course in the excellent schools of St.
Louis, where he was reared, and immediately thereafter entered upon
his career as a teacher. His parents, William B. and Elizabeth
(Hodgins) Jones, were both of England by nativity, but each came

736

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

over to this country while yet young and unmarried. They met in
New Jersey and were married in 1836. The father was a mechanic
by occupation, and had come to America the year before his mar¬
riage. The family resided in New Jersey for 20 years, and Thomas
B., the subject of this sketch, was born there, in Morris county,
December 12, 1848. In 1856 the family removed to St. Louis.
After a residence of seven years in that city they went to Cleveland,
Ohio, but nine years afterwards they returned to Missouri and lo¬
cated in Montgomery county. However, the parents and younger
children went back to St. Louis in 1875. The father died there the
year following. There were six children, but two of them are de¬
ceased. The father Avas a member of the Episcopal Church, as Avas
also the mother. Thomas B. Jones has been a resident of Mont-
gomerv county for over 10 years. He has been continuously en¬
gaged in teaching, and has an enviable reputation in his chosen
profession, looking more to substantial results in the way of impart¬
ing knowledge than to theories and fine-spun methods.

JOSEPH S. JONES, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Jonesburg).

Dr. Jones Avas a son of the man who Avas the founder of Jonesburg.
He came here in 1829 and located on the site of this place. In North
Carolina Mr. Jones, Sr., Avas a farmer by occupation, and he was en¬
gaged in that pursuit for some time after his removal to Missouri.
HoAvever, here he became interested in business and after building up
the North Missouri Railroad became ticket agent at this place. Dr.
Jones’ mother was a Miss Julia A. Cant before her marriage, formerly
of Kentucky. The Doctor’s parents had a family of eight children,
all of whom are living. The father died November 2, 1882, but the
mother still survives. Dr. Jones Avas born at Jonesburg, March 29,
1856. His education Avas concluded at the Central College, in Fav-
ette, HoAvard county, where he took a course of three years. He then
learned pharmacy by practical experience in a drug store and study,
devoting about a year to that branch of medical science. In 1877 he
began the regular study of medicine under Dr. H. W. Pittman, and
after instruction under him matriculated at the St. Louis Medical Col¬
lege, Avhich he attended tAvo terms, graduating in the class of ’80.
Dr. Jones thereupon returned to Jonesburg and entered upon the
practice of his profession. He has built up a good practice and is
regarded as a skillful and successful physician, having every promise of
an honorable and useful future in his profession, and in all the affairs
of life Avith Avhich he becomes identified.

D. KIMBLE

(Farmer, Post-office, Jonesburg).

Mr. Kimble Avas a mere lad when the war broke out in 1861, but
the following year, although only 13 years of age, he offered himself

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

737

as a volunteer in the Southern service. He entered the Tennessee
cavalry regiment and served with courage and fidelity until the close
of the war. Among other engagements of note in which he took
part were the battles of Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. He had
been born and reared in Kentucky, and after the close of the war re¬
turned to his native count}7, Warren. He remained in Warren
county, Ky., until coming to Missouri, when he settled in Montgomery
county. On the 24th of December, 1874, he was married to .Miss
Martha Brown, a daughter of A. E. Brown, of this county. Three
children have been born to them: Mary J., Forest, and one now de¬
ceased. Mr. Kimble has followed farming from boyhood and is still
actively engaged in that pursuit. He has a place of 80 acres, well
improved. Mr. Kimble was born in Warren county, Ky., July 18,
1849, and was a son of A. C. and Miss A. (Moore) Kimble. Both
parents are natives of Kentucky. Mr. Kimble in 1881 was elected a
justice of the peace and is still an incumbent of that office.

FELIX G. LOGAN

(Of Logan & Goodrich, Proprietors of Jonesburg Flouring, Grist and Saw Mills).

Mr. Logan’s father, William Logan, was a contemporary with the
Boones, Cooper, Callaways and others, in the early settlement of Mis¬
souri. He came to this State in 1816 and settled in Warren countv,
when there were hardly more than a dozen counties in the State, and
several of those were greater in extent than some of the New England
States. The country was, indeed, a wilderness, and while the settlers
usually endeavored to live in groups for mutual help and protection,
these settlements were generally miles and miles apart, often a day’s
journey or two. From such a condition as this, two generations,
father and son, have lived to see the country transformed into one of
the fairest and most prosperous commonweaths in the galaxy of Ameri¬
can States. The father, who had been a gallant soldier in the War of
1812, lived to a ripe old age in Warren county, and was at last laid
to rest in 1852. He was originally from Fleming county, Kv., where
also, his wife, who was a Miss Nancy Hobbs, was born and reared.
She died in 1880. They had a family of 12 children, of whom six
are living. Felix G. was born on the familv homestead in Warren
county, May 2, 1831, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer.
He engaged in the milling business, however, about the close of the
war in 1865. On the 21st of August, 1862, he was married to Miss
Emma Maloy, a daughter of Wm. Malov, of New York State. The
milling business has constituted Mr. Logan’s principal occupation for
a number of years past. He has for some time been engaged in
this branch of business at Jonesburg, and is now a member of the
firm of Logan & Goodrich, proprietors of the Jonesburg flouring,
ffrist and saw mills. In 1873 Mr. Logan had the misfortune to lose
his first wife. She had borne him four children, two of whom pre¬
ceded her in death ; the others are : Abner B. and Marv C. Mr.
Logan’s present wife was a Miss Eva Logan before her marriage, a

738

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

daughter of Christopher Logan. They have three children, two of
whom are dead and one is living, Romie F. Mr. L. has a neat tract
of land in section 23, township 47, range 5 ; he also has some valuable
town property at this place.

JOHN W. MASON

(Farmer and County Assessor, Post-office, Belleville).

Mr. Mason, one of the well known and popular citizens of the
county, is a native Missourian, born in Warren county, February 28,
1853. His father was Albert G. Mason, an old and respected citizen
of that county, but now long since deceased. Mr. Mason’s mother
before her marriage was a Miss Sarah A. Dyer, and of the well known
Dyer family of North-east Missouri. She was originally from Virginia,
but his father was from Kentucky. John W. was reared in Warren
county and brought up a farmer.. He received a good common school
education, also had the benefit of a term at the Warrenton Academy
and of a nine months’ course at McGee College. He then engaged in
teaching and taught for about eight years. Meanwhile he had also
been farming during cropping seasons and on the 3d of September,
1872, he was married to Miss Jennie, the youngest daughter of George
W. Owens, an early settler of Warren county from Kentucky. Mr.
Mason continued farming in that county until 1877, when, having
bought land in Montgomery county he removed to this county, where
he lias ever since resided. Here he has a neat farm substantially and
comfortably improved. In 1882 he was nominated for, and elected to
the office of county assessor, and he is now making his second assess¬
ment of the county. Mr. Mason has made an efficient and capable
assessor and is universally popular both in his own party and among
Republicans. Mr. and Mrs. M. have four children: Mary M., Effie C.,
Dora B. and John W. Albert, a promising boy aged 7 years, and the
eldest in the family of children, died September 24, 1881. Mr. and
Mrs. Mason are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a member
of the I. O.O. F.

JOHN G. MILLER

(Fanner, Post-office, Montgomery City).

September 3, 1838, was the date of Mr. Miller’s birth, and St.
Charles county , Mo. , the situs accouchement. His parents were Fleming
and Susan (McKay) Miller, his father originally of Virginia, as was
also his mother. They had a family of nine children, four of whom
are living. The father came to St. Charles county in an early dav.
John G. Miller was reared on his father’s farm, and continued to re¬
side in St. Charles county until 1883, when, having married in the
meantime, he removed with his family to Montgomery county, and
settled on the place where he now resides, which is stocked with a
good grade of cattle and other farm animals. In 1880, Mr. Miller
was married to Miss Orlena S. Cottle, a daughter of Ora and Eliza-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

739

beth Cottle, of St. Charles county. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two
children: Fleming E. and Enoch M. Mr. M. is a member of the M.
E. Church and his wife of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM B. MILLIKAN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, High Hill).

Mr. Millikan, an energetic farmer and respected citizen of Bear
Creek township, came from Kentucky to this State, but is a native
of Tennessee. He was born in Grainger county, Tenn., January 19,
1825. His parents, George and Elizabeth (Coffman) Millikan, were
both born and reared in Tennessee, where they were married and lived
until their death. They had nine children, four of whom are living,
and both parents were members of the Baptist Church. The father
was a farmer by occupation, and William B. was reared in Tennessee
to that calling. In 1847 he was married in Jefferson county,
Tenn., to Miss Emilie Walker, a daughter of James Walker, and four
years later he removed to Crittenden county, Ky. He resided in
that county for over 20 years, and came thence to Missouri in 1870.
Here he located in Montgomery county, but in 1871 went to St. Clair
county, this State, returning, however, the same year. He has been
residing on the farm where he now lives since 1872. His place con¬
tains 314 acres, and is substantially improved. Mr. and Mrs. Millikan
have had 11 children. Seven of their children are living, namely:
John A., Sarah A., George R., Jehu T., Theodrick R., James H.,
Matilda J. and Isham W. Both parents are members of the Baptist
Church.

HENRY MORGAN

(Farmer, Post-office, Jonesburg).

Mr. Morgan is a native of Wales, born near Neath, Glamorganshire,
on March 27, 1850, and a son of William and Mary (Williams) Mor¬
gan, the ancestry of both of whom were settled in that country for
unknown generations. Mr. Morgan’s parents became converts to the
faith of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, otherwise known as the
Mormon Church, and when he was quite a youth they came to
America. Whatever may be thought of this sect or its creed by the
generality of men of the present generation, it is certainly held in no
greater disfavor than was the religion of Jesus Christ in His day. So
far as testimony that would be received in any ordinary court of
justice is concerned, the Book of Mormon stands on a good footing.
David Whitmer, a venerable and highly esteemed citizen of Richmond,
in Ray county, Mo., a man whose word would be as readily received
and believed in any court of justice as that of any living man, and who
is as far from a polygamist in faith and practice as was Joseph Smith
himself, is a living witness to the genuineness and divine inspiration
of the Book of Mormon. The following is the sworn testimonv of
this venerable and honest old man, given half a century ago, which he

740

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

confirmed only a few days since in the most solemn manner in the
presence of witnesses, tottering on the brink of the grave, as it were,
almost in the very presence of death, and knowing that he has but a
little while longer to live: —

TESTIMONY.

“ Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people unto whom this work
shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of
Nephi; and also of the Canaanites, their brethren; and also of the people of Jared,
who came from the towns of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they
have been translated by the gift and power of God, for His voice hath declared it
unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true; and He also testifies
that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates, and they have been shown
unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of sober¬
ness th it an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before
our eves, that we beheld and saw the plates and the engravings thereon; and we know"
that it is by the grace of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that we beheld and
bear record that these things are true, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless,
the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be
obedient under the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things, and we
know that if we are faithful in Christ we shall rid our garments of the blood of all
men and be found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ and dwell with Him
eternally in the heavens; and the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen!

(Signed) ‘‘Oliver Cowdery,

“David Whitmer,

“ Martix Harris.”

The plates, or hieroglyphics, themselves, were submitted to both
Profs. Mitchell and Anthon, of New York, eminent Oriental scholars,
who pronounced them genuine reformed Egyptian and Hebrew charac¬
ters, and the original manuscripts from these Mr. Whitmer still holds
in his possession, and always open for inspection. Certainly these
testimonies combined will compare favorably with that of any of the
early Christian councils that passed on the genuineness of the original
Scriptures. Mr. Morgan’s parents accepted the evidence of the
genuineness of the Book of Mormon, and in the face of the testi¬
mony above given who can be surprised? Mr. Morgan himself,
however, is a member of no church ; but nevertheless he is a man
of sterling character, and one whose disposition and effort is to do
right among his fellow-men the nearest he can. Mr. Morgan grew
to manhood in this county, having come to Montgomery when still
young, where his father now resides. Farming has been his occupa¬
tion from au early age, and he and his brother Phillip have a good
place of 160 acres. He is one of the industrious farmers and well
respected citizens of Bear Creek township.

GEORGE T. MUNS and GEORGE E. MUNS, M. D.

(Post-office, Montgomery City) .

Mr. Muns, Sr. (George T.), is a native of New York, born in
Niagara county, July 16, 1834. He was a son of Hard and Elizabeth
(Botting) Muns, both originally from England. The father came to
America in 1830 and settled in New York State, where he still re-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

741

sides at an advanced age, but, nevertheless, well preserved and active.
He is an iron founder by trade and followed that in New York for
many years, and up to the time of his retirement from the active
labors of life. George T. Muns, the father of Dr. George E., was
reared in New York State, and in youth learned the wagon-maker’s
trade, which he followed for some seven years. In 1854 he was mar¬
ried to Miss Alta Doolittle, a daughter of Samuel Doolittle, and of an
old and respected New York family. In 1861, on the outbreak of the
war, Mr. Muns (George T.) promptly enlisted for the service of his
country in the Union army. He was out for three years, under Gen.
McClellan most of the time, and during his term of service took part
in some 27 battles, principally those in Virginia. After the expira¬
tion of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged and
returned home to New York. While in the army, however, by his
merits and bravery as a soldier, he was promoted from time to
time until he rose to the position of second lieutenant. Mr. Muns
continued to reside in New York State after the war until 1868, when
he came to Missouri and settled on the farm where he now resides.
Here he has a neat place and is pleasantU situated. Mr. and Mrs.
Muns have had five children : George E., Elizabeth, who died in girl¬
hood, Virginia E., Florence L. and Charles H. He and wife are
members of the M. E. Church.

Dr. George E. Muns, the eldest in his father’s family of five chil-
dren, was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., on the 20th of February,
1856, and was therefore 12 years of age when the family removed to
Missouri . He was educated at the high school of Prichett’s Institute,
in Glasgow, Mo., and subsequently read medicine under Dr. McLelan,
a leading physician of this county. In 1878 he entered the medical
department of the State University, at Columbia, where he took a
thorough course of two terms and graduated with distinction in 1880.
He then located at Gamma and engaged in the practice of medicine,
where he .has ever since been occupied with his profession and wfith
excellent success. He has built up a good practice and has an envia¬
ble and steadily increasing reputation as a physician. In 1882 he
was married to Miss Sallie Clare, an estimable and refined daugh¬
ter of Walden G. Clare, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this
volume. One child has been born to them, a son. As a student at
medical college, it is worthy to be remarked, Dr. Muns stood at the
head of his class, and was awarded its highest honor, the delivery
of the valedictory.

MARTIN D. PUCKETT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, High Hill).

For over 19 years Mr. Puckett has been a resident of Montgomery
county, contributing by his industry and intelligence to its growth and
development, and to its general advancement. Mr. Puckett was a
former well known and popular citizen of Highland county, O., where
he was born and reared. He held the offices of assessor and deputy

742

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

sheriff, and some other positions of local consideration. Mr. Puckett
was born in Highland county, O., November 4, 1817. He was a son
of Nathan G- and Anna Bell Puckett, his father originally of Ken¬
tucky, but his mother formerly of Maryland. They came to Highland
county, O., in 1802, and were among the pioneers of that county.
Martin D. Puckett was reared a farmer, and also learned the carpen¬
ter’s trade. February 4, 1860, he was married to Miss Nannie Flor¬
ence, a daughter of Thomas Florence. This union has been blessed
with four children, three of whom are living: Albie, Mary H. and
William. Richard O. died October 22, 1882. After his marriage in
Ohio, Mr. Puckett continued to reside in Highland countv until 1865
when he removed to Missouri and settled in Montgomery countv.
Here he bought land and engaged in farming, and his homestead now
contains 200 acres and is substantially improved. He also has over
200 acres of good land in other tracts, about 120 acres being in War¬
ren county. Mrs. P. is a member of the Christian Church.

TAYLOR PURL

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Jonesburg).

Fur some 13 years consecutively preceding 1883, Mr. Purl was en¬
gaged in merchandising at Jonesburg, and with excellent success.
But in 1883 he found it convenient and advantageous to gratify an
inclination long had for engaging in farming and stock-raising.
Having previously bought a fine farm near Jonesburg, he retired
from merchandising and located on his farm. There he has ever
since been actively engaged in carrying on his place. Mr. Purl' has
420 acres of land, all well improved and especially well adapted to
stock raising, which branch of industrv he is making his leading
interest, and therefore is stocking his farm with a good grade of
cattle and other farm animals. He is a native of Indiana, born in
Wayne county, near Centreville, October 1, 1848. He was reared
to the occupation of a farmer in that county, and near Carrollton, Ill.,
and also had some experience in mercantile life. In 1867 he came to
Missouri, and has since made his permanent home in this State. On
the 10th of March, 1869, he was married to Miss Mattie Ella Camp, a
daughter of Hiram H. Camp, of this county. The next year after
his marriage Mr. Purl engaged in merchandising at Jonesburg, which
he continued until 1883. He and wife have had a family of three

children, but only one is living. Mrs. Purl is a member of the
Christian Church. Mr. Purl has some valuable town property in
Jonesburg, and is highly respected in the community as an upright
man and valued citizen. His father, Thomas C. Purl, who was orig¬
inally from Pennsylvania, now resides at Carrollton, Ill. He has been
twice married. His first wife (Mr. Purl’s mother) died in 1851.
He was married to his second wife in 1854. She was a Miss Jones,
also of Indiana.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

743

NIRVIM RICHARDS

(Farmer, Post-office, Belleville) .

Mr. Richards’ farms contains 116 acres, and he has been residing
on his present place for a long time. He is an energetic farmer, and
contributes his full share to the agricultural development of this part
of the county. Mr. Richards came originally from Pennsylvania, but
resided for a number of years in Ohio, where he was married. He
was born in Lancaster county, Pa., October 30, 1830, and his father
was Godfrey Richards, who was by trade a blacksmith, and also fol¬
lowed the occupation of farming. He finally removed to Williams
county, O., where he died in 1854. Mr. Richard’s mother was named
Beshebe Adams before her marriage, and was born and reared in
Pennsylvania. They had a family of 10 children. Both parents were
members of the Presbyterian Church. Nirvim Richards came out
to Ohio with the family in 1854, and in 1865 came to Missouri, locat¬
ing first in Warren county. Three years later he came to Montgom¬
ery county, where he has since resided and been engaged in farming.
In 1863 he was married in Ohio to Miss Jane Bagley, a daughter of
Alexander Bagley, of Williams county. Mr. and Mrs. R. have five
children: Frank M., Viola L., Ada L., Walter W. and Arthur H.
He and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

WILLIAM J. RIXEY

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Jonesburg).

Mr. Rixey came to Jonesburg and engaged in his present line of
business at this place in 1870, and has since met with good success.
He has increased his stock from time to time, as his increase of trade
justified, until he now has one of the representative business houses
of this part of the county, and being accommodating and obliging
and perfectly fair in all his dealings, he has the qualities and charac¬
teristics of a successful business career. Mr. Rixey is a native of the
Old Dominion, born in Culpeper county, September 28, 1848. His
parents were Charles W. and Fannie (Settles) Rixey, both also
natives of Virginia. William J. was the eldest in their family of ten
children, and was reared in Culpeper county. In 1869 he came to
Missouri and engaged in mercantile business in Audrain county.
While there he was married May 25, 1870, to Miss Mary C. Harper,
a daughter of William and Martha A. Harper, of that county. Mr.
Rixey continued in mercantile life in Audrain county until he came
to Jonesburg. He and his wife have three children : Amy H., Fannie
C. and William H. Mr. and Mrs. R. are members of the Baptist
Church.

744

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

PARKER AND JAMES K. RODGERS.

(Farmers and Stock-raisers, Post-office, Montgomery City).

The branch of the Rodgers family of which the subjects of the
present sketch are representatives, settled originally from England in
Maryland. Parker Rodgers’ parents, William R. and Pearlie (Har¬
ness) Rodgers, were both natives of the Chesapeake Bay State, and
during the latter part of the seventeenth century removed to Pennsylva¬
nia. Parker Rodgers was born in the latter Skate, September 22,
1807. Later along the family removed to Indiana, where the lather
died m 1847, and the mother in 1856. They settled in Indiana in
1817, where they reared a family of ten children, or rather, but two
of their family of ten children are living. Parker Rodgers, the sixth
in the family, was reared in Indiana, and was married there to Miss
Hannah Blue. In 1854 he came to Missouri and located in Mont¬
gomery countv. Here he bought the farm where he now resides*, an
excellent place of 700 acres. Mr. Rodgers is one of the leading
farmers and stock-raisers of this part of the county, and one of the
highly respected citizens of the community. His wife died in 1875.
She had borne him thirteen children, of whom three died in infancy,
and only six are now living.

t — '

James Iv. Rodgers, the tenth in his father’s family of children,
was born in Indiana, January 1, 1845. He was eight years of age
when his parents came to Missouri, in 1853. In 1858 he went to
Colorado and was engaged in mining out there for three years. Re¬
turning, he was engaged in farming at home until 1864, when he
enlisted in the Union service under Gen. Ward, and served until the
close of the war. He was in the battle of Spanish Fort, in Alabama,
and in some other engagements of less importance. He resumed
farming on his return home, and has followed it ever since with good
success. In 1873 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hall, a daughter
of Benjamin Hall, formerly of Indiana. The}r have four children:
Parker B., Ettie, Mabel and an infant. Mr. Rodgers has a place of
260 acres, all but 20 of which are in his home tract, and his farm is
well improved.

MAHLON ROHRER

(Famer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Price’s Branch),

Mr. Rohrer was fifth in a family of 14 children, seven now living,
of John R. and Susan Rohrer, his father of German extraction and
his mother of Irish parentage. The father was a successful manufac¬
turer of woolen goods, and Mahlon was brought up to that occupa¬
tion, learning the trade thoroughly in his father’s woolen factory. In
1847 he was married to Miss Mahala Lesueur, a young lady of Ger¬
man descent. Five years after his marriage Mr. Rohrer removed to
Ohio, in which State he resided some seventeen years. In 1869 he

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 745

came to Missouri and settled in Montgomery county. Mr. Rohrer
has made farming his occupation for many years, and owns a good
farm of 380 acres in this county, besides some other real estate. Mr.
and Mrs. R. have had nine children : Mary M., wife of Joseph Early ;
Susie, wife of Ely Younce; Laura, wife of W. Cope; Katie, wife of
B. Ball, and Charley. The others are deceased. Mr. Rohrer is
highly respected in the neighborhood where he resides. He is a kind
and accommodating neighbor, and a generous, hospitable man,' an#d
still holds fast to the old-fashioned ideas of keeping open house to
his friends and to all who pass his way. Humanity, the deeds of
neighborly kindness and the generous help of our fellow-creatures — -
all to assist each other along whenever and wherever we can, these he
believes to be most worthy of a good man’s thought and effort. In
the language of Dr. Knox, one of the greatest theologians of En-
gland, he believes that: “The idea which Christianity has suggested
of the relation in which men stand to each other, is wonderfully
adapted to promote universal hospitality.” * * * He js a Urd-

versalist by faith, believing that Christ accomplished what he came
for. He was one of the first Abolitionists in the country.

JOHN W. SCHOWENGERDT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Schowengerdt, one of the leading agriculturists of Bear Creek

O. 7 O O

township, and one of its most progressive and prominent citizens, is
a son of Ernst Schowengerdt, an old and wealthy citizen of Warren
county, a large land holder in that county and Montgomery, and a
leading merchant atWarrenton. JohnW. Schowengerdt, the subject
of this sketch, was born on the old family homestead, on Dry Fork,
creek, September 6, 1845. He was reared on the farm and given a
good common school education in the neighborhood schools. After
he had grown up, in about 1867, his father having engaged in mer¬
chandising at Warrenton, he became his father’s partner in business,
and so continued for a period of fourteen years. But the close con¬
finement necessary in retail merchandising proved seriously detrimen¬
tal to his health, and he was compelled to quit the business on that
account. He therefore resumed farming, locating in Montgomery
county, on his present farm. Here he has been very successful, and
for some years has held a prominent position among the leading
farmers of the county. He has a fine prairie farm of 480 acres, and
besides this he also runs his father’s large farm in Montgomery county
of 500 acres. In caring for his large crops he runs two binders and
two mowers through the harvesting season and requires a large amount
of other farm machinery on the two places. His mercantile experi¬
ence made him a thorough business man, and having been reared on
a farm, which he has followed successfully in later years, he com¬
bines in his character and qualifications the requisites to more than an
ordinary degree of a successful business farmer. In 1873 Mr. Schow-

746

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

engerdt was married to Miss Caroline Strack, a daughter of Charles
Struck, formerly of Germany. They have four children : Maggie,
Ernst, George and Lizzie.

JAMES E. SHARP

(Farmer, Post-office, High Hill) .

• The branch of the Sharp family of Montgomery county, of which the
subject of the present sketch is a representative, came originally
from Bedford county, Va., in the year 1838. Mr. Sharp wTas born in
that county July 28, 1823, and when he was quite young was
brought to Missouri by his parents, Capt. John Sharp and wife,
whose maiden name was Elizabeth Cruse. They settled in Mont¬
gomery county. Capt. Sharp was twice married. His second wife’s
maiden name was Margaret Jeter, and she was also from Bedford
county, Va. Capt. Sharp was captain of a company in old muster
days, and was a man of some local consideration and prominence. He
was a successful farmer and well-to-do citizen, and died in this county
in 1866, and at the time of his death was in the mercantile business at
High Hill. James E. Sharp was reared a farmer by his father, and
when he was 27 years of age, in 1850, was married to Miss Margaret
A. Sharp, a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Sharp, also originally
of Virginia. James E. Sharp and wife have been blessed with eleven
children. Seven are living: Edward W., Frances, Minnie, Julia,
Jane, Kate and Dock. Albert, Henry, Florence and Douglass are
deceased. Mr. Sharp has a neat farm of 120 acres.

WILLIAM J. SKINNER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Jonesburg).

Mr. Skinner’s father, Francis Skinner, was one of the pioneer set¬
tlers of Montgomery county. He was from Fauquier county, Va.,
born May 22, 1794, and was married there October 22, 1818, to Miss
Lucy A. Jasper. Two years later he came with his family to Missouri
and settled in Montgomery county when the country was yet a terri¬
tory. Here he died April 26, 1876, and at the age of 82. He was
one of the sterling old pioneers of the county, a citizen widely known
and profoundly respected by all. He and his good wife reared a
family of seven children : Robert, John J., William J., Elizabeth,
Sarah and Lucy A., all of whom became heads of families themselves.
William J. Skinner was born on his father’s homestead in this county
May 31, 1824, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He was
brought up to know about and not to fear hard work ; but better than
this, he was taught by the precepts and examples of his honored old
father that only by unremitting industry, united with economy and
good management, can one hope to prosper honestly in the affairs of
life. He has succeeded in becoming one of the well-to-do farmers of
the county, and all he has is the fruit of hard work. He has always
handled stock more or less, and has had good success in this line of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

747

industry. Mr. Skinner has an excellent farm of 320 acress, all well
improved. He also has some town property at Jonesburg. On the
26th of March, 1846, Mr. Skinner was married to Miss Melvina J.
Pennington, a daughter of Joseph and Letitia B. Pennington. Eight
children have followed this union, of whom six are living: Margaret
J., Joseph F., James L., Timothy W., William J. and Laura L. Mr.
and Mrs. S. are members of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM W. SMITH

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Jonesburg).

The subject of the present sketch, Mr. Smith, now among the sub¬
stantial citizens of this township, had but little or no means to start
on when he began as a young man for himself. But possessed of the
qualities which make successful men and valued citizens, his career
has been productive of the results that usually attend the exertions of
this class of men. Over four years of valuable time were spent, when
he was a young man, in the Confederate army, fighting for what he
believed to be right. Certainly a cause like the one which had so
many followers was worth fighting for, aye, dying for, as many and
many a brave Southerner did before the banner of the South went
down. Mr. Smith was in a number of the hardest fought battles of
the war, and did not return until its close. After the restoration of
peace he located in Montgomery county, and he has been a resident
of this county ever since. On the 20th of September, 1865, he was
married to Miss Sarah Tannehill, a daughter of Carlton and Elizabeth
Tannehill. Previous to his marriage he had engaged in farming in
Montgomery county, and in handling leaf tobacco. He kept up both
of these interests for some years, but latterly has been engaged in
farming and handling stock almost exclusively. He has a valuable
farm of nearly 400 acres, one of the well improved and choice places
of the township. Mr. and Mrs. S. have but one child living, Mary
Birdie Smith. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Their other child, Wyett Newton Smith, a promising son, died Nov¬
ember 11, 1881. His loss was a sore bereavement to his parents,
for he was a youth whose character and disposition were such as
to make him especially beloved by father and mother, and, indeed,
by all who knew him. But we know that all is for the best, for
thus it has been spoKen by Him from whom all truth and wisdom
cometh. Mr. Smith was originally from Virginia, born in Franklin
county September 28, 1835. His parents, Stephen and Mary
(McCall) Smith, removed to Missouri when he was only three years of
age and settled in Warren county, where he was reared.

THOMAS S. THOMPSON

(Farmer and Manufacturer of Tobacco, Post-office, Pendleton).

When Mr. Thompson was a lad about five years of age his parents
removed from Henry county, Va., to Missouri, locating in St. Charles

748

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

county in 1830. Born in Henry county, Va., April 10, 1825, he was
therefore principally reared in St. Charles county, Mo. While yet a
youth he learned the business of manufacturing tobacco, and followed
that exclusively up to 1860. He then also engaged in farming, but
continued to carry on the tobacco business at Wentzville, his establish¬
ment being well known in this jjart of the State and at St. Louis, as
well as other points, by the brands of tobacco he put up ; and the
'house of T. S. Thompson in the tobacco trade secured an enviable
standing. Mr. Thompson came to his present farm in 1861. He has
one of the best farms throughout this entire vicinity, his place being
well improved. His tract contains 960 acres, and is an exceptionally
fine body of land, one of the best in the township. In 1867 Mr.
Thompson was married in Warren county to Miss Anna, a daughter
of Benjamin Hutchinson, of that county. They have had seven
children, of whom six are living: Waddv, Benjamin, Mary, Leah,
Cornelia and Cora. Mr. Thompson’s father, Waddy Thompson, Sr.,
died in St. Charles county in 1876. He had been a gallant old soldier

r W

in the War of 1812, and was for 12 years justice of the peace of that
county. Mr. T.’s mother was a Miss Mary M. Abbington before her
marriage. She is now deceased. Both parents were members of the
M. E. Church South.

PHILIP H. TUCKER, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Price’s Branch).

Dr. Tucker was born in Pike county, Mo., February 6, 1838, and
was the youngest of two children of Henry and Margaret J. Tucker,
early settlers of Pike county from Kentucky. The father died, how¬
ever, when the Doctor was yet unborn, but the mother is still living,
a resident of Montgomery county, and the wife of W. B. Summers.
Young Tucker, besides taking a course in the district schools, attended
Watson’s Seminary, at Ashley, during the years 1853-54-55. He sub¬
sequent!}7 engaged in teaching school, and while teaching read medicine
under Dr. Waldon, of Ashley. In 1857-58 he entered the St. Louis
Medical College, graduating in the class of 1860. Following his
graduation Dr. Tucker located at Frankfort, for the practice of his
profession, where he continued until 1863, when he removed to Ashley.
Meanwhile, on March 6, 1862, he was married to Miss Ellen, a
daughter of William and Martha Pitt, of Pike L»unty. In consequence
of war troubles, in 1866, Dr. Tucker removed to Louisville, in Lincoln
county, where he practiced medicine for some five years. He came
to Price’s Branch in 1876, having practiced for several years pre¬
viously at High Hill. He has built up a good practice at this place,
and is looked upon as a thoroughly qualified and successful physician.
On June 15, 1879, Dr. Tucker was married to Miss Ida, a daughter of
Francis H. and Frances A. Duncan, formerlv of Virginia. The Doc-
tor has a family of four sons by his first marriage: John E., James
W., Edwin and Walker. In 1864 Dr. Tucker was surgeon at Ashley,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

749

under Gen. Scofield. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and of
the Christian Church, at Price’s Branch.

JAMES D. WELLS

(Retired Farmer, Post-office, Price’s Branch).

After a life of honest industry rewarded with the substantial com¬
petence for old age, Mr. Wells is now living in retirement on his farm,
enjoying the fruits of his early years of toil. He has been a hard
working farmer all his life up to within a few years ago, and now has
a fine farm of about 1,000 acres, stretching out in everyjdirection from
his comfortable home into broad pastures and fertile fields, all being
improved save 120 acres. He was born in Tyler county W. Ya.,
March 20, 1815, and was the youngest of a family of eight children
of Charles P. and Rachel (McMechon) Wells, his father formerly of
Pennsylvania, but his mother of the Old Dominion. Reared in Tyler
county, Mr. Wells was married in Brook county, W. Ya., on the 8th
of May, 1838, to Miss Jane, a daughter of John and Mary (Blair)
Prather, of Virginia, and related to the. well known professional poli-
ician of St. Louis, Griff*. Prather. After his marriage he removed to
Jackson county, W. Ya. , where he was engagedin farming until 1852,
when he came to Missouri and located on a part of his present farm.
He entered a part of his present tract and from time to time bought
other pieces. He has two fine ponds on his place, one of which is
stocked with fine German carp and the other with native cat, buffalo,
bass, etc. Mr. and Mrs. W. have reared three children, who are still
living: Nancy, the wife of George Usrv, in the service of the C. R.
I. & P. R. R., in Iowa ; Adeline, the wife of Robert Alexander, living
in Fayetteville, Ark., and Rachel, who is the wife of Stoddard K.
Tippitt. Mr. Tippitthas charge of the farm and is conducting it with
marked energy and success. Mrs. Wells is an invalid from a second
stroke of paralysis. She has been a member of the M. E. Church
for many years, and Mr. Wells is a worthy member of the A. F. &
A. M.

GEORGE W. WILSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, of Montgomery county, Mo.).

George W. Wilson was born on the 5th day of February, 1824, in
Madison county, Ya. His parents, who were both born and raised in
Virginia, were John Wilson and Frances Graves. They came to
Boone county, Ky., in 1828. John Wilson died that fall near Peters-
burgh, Boone county- The mother, Frances Wilson, with her seven
little children, then moved to East Bend, Boone county, the spring
after the father’s death, and died at the age of 49 years, in 1848.
The children remained there for about three years, and then scattered.
John L. Wilson married Sarah Foster, of Gallatin county, Ky., and
lived and died in Boone county. James A. Wilson married Jane K.
Stephens, of Boone county, and both are still living there. Elizabeth

750

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

M. Wilson married' James Carlton, of Boone county, where she is now
living ; her husband is dead. Charlotte M. Wilson married Philip G.
Holmes, of Boone county, Ky., and she is dead, but he resides there.
William H. Wilson married Emeline Vanness, of Boone City, and
moved to Montgomery county, Mo., in 1851, their present home.
Philip A. Wilson married Mary E. Ball, of Montgomery county, Mo.,
and both are still living here. George W. Wilson moved from Boone
county, Ivy., in the spring of 1851, and bought and entered 320 acres
of new land, which he has up to this time made a fine grain and stock
farm. Mr. Wilson married Mrs. Sarah Hoss, daughter ot’Francis Skin¬
ner, of Montgomery county, Mo., in 1856, and had six children, five of
whom are still living, as follows : James C., born July 15, 1857 ; John
H., born March 18, 1859; Sue Laura, born September 26, 1860;
George L ., born July 19, 1863 ; Thomas A., born April 17, 1865, and
Sarah E., born July 30, 1867. George W. Wilson and Mollie A.
Miller, wife of Samuel Miller, were married April 15, 1869, and she
died September 11, 1883, leaving two children : Pearl Wilson, 13
years old, and Anna F. Wilson, 9 years old. Mr. W. is again a
widower; he lives the best he can by the help of God, trusting in him
alone for future prosperity.

CHAPTER XI Y.

LOUTRE TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — The Bluffs and Streams — “Pinnacle Rock” — Early

Settlements and Pioneers — The Settlements on Loutre Island — Fort Clemson —

Snethen’s Settlement on Dry Fork — The “ Big Spring ” Settlement — Early His¬
torical Items — Villages of Loutre Township — Rhineland — Americus — Bluffton —

Big Spring — Country Churches.

This township comprises the southern portion of Montgomery
county and embraces all those portions of congressional township 46
lying in the county, the sections and fractional sections of township
45, and the lower two ranges of sections in township 47, ranges 5
and 6.

For the most part Loutre township is hilly and broken. Some of
the hills or knobs are, in fact, miniature mountain peaks, and stand
out well defined and prominent. In the warm months of the year, or
when Indian summer comes, the scenery is as beautiful as that of
Switzerland .

Along the Loutre the scenery is equally fine. Except where the
hard-working Germans live, the progress made in the cultivation of
the soil is but unimportant and insignificant, and this portion of
Montgomery county is almost as primitive and virgin as it was in 1824.

Bowlin’s Knob, in the lower portion of the township, took its name
from Laney Bowlin, who first discovered it and lived near it. He
moved to Clay county, according to the statements of W. B. Snethen
and others.

In 1829 Matthew L. White entered the land embracing the famous
“ Pinnacle Rock,” which is in the southern part of this township, on
South Bear creek. The following description of this singular stone
formation was written bv Mr. Rose in 1876 : —

It stands alone, in the midst of a small valley, and rises perpendic¬
ularly on all sides, except one, to the height of 75 feet. It covers
an area of about one acre, and the top is flat and covered with trees,
grass, etc. A shelving path on one side affords a safe ascent. During
the last few summers the Pinnacle has been used as a preaching place.

A mile and a half from Bluffton there is another singular peak,
apparently of volcanic formation, which has excited the interest and
speculations of many in times past.

(751)

752

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Or the Missouri bottom, in the extreme southern part of this town¬
ship, the land is exceedingly rich, and is cultivated almost up to the
Missouri river bank, and especially is this true of the lands in the
vicinity of Kallmeyer’s landing, or the Best Bottom.

In the south-west corner of the township, at Bluffton, the bottom
is narrow, and is gradually becoming narrower, owing to the encroach¬
ments of the river upon the alluvial lands. Now there is no road up
the river bevond a few miles above Rhineland.

• t/

THE LOUTRE.

Loutre creek (or river) is a beautiful stream, and rises in Callaway
or Audrain county, but is an insignificant body until it enters this
county. There is only one dam on the main stream — at the point
opposite Big Spring.

Usually its banks are narrow, and in time of heavy rains and
freshets it becomes veiy deep and flooded. It has reached its highest
stages in the years 1826, 1831, 1855, 1858 and in 1882. On February
20, 1882, it attained the highest point at Mineola, or Loutre Lick,
ever known.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

It was within the limits of Loutre township that the first settlements
were made in Montgomery county. These were on Loutre island
perhaps as early as 1798, while the country still belonged to Spain.
The island was first discovered by the French trappers and voyaguers,
and by them called Loutre — meaning Otter,1 doubtless from the
number of these valuable fur-bearing animals found in the slough
which surrounds it. Some of the first settlers on the upper portion
of Loutre island were Lewis Groshong, James Thorp, Josiah Thorp,
John Thorp, Peter Popineau, Grey Bynum, Lindsay Carson (father
of Kit Carson), Amos Ashcraft, Otto Ashcraft, Jesse Ashcraft, Tem¬
ple Cole, Stephen Cole, James Patton, Thomas Patton, Jacob Patton,
Christopher Talbott, (“ Kit ” Talbot), Hail Talbot, Benj. Cooper,
Sarshall Cooper, - Clark, - Lewis and Laney Bowlin. A

few of these may have lived for a time in the western border of what

•/

is now Warren county. These came from about 1798 to 1809, and
nearly all were from Kentucky ; the Coopers and Thorps from Madi-

1 Loutre, in French, means Otter in English; “ L’outre” means “the other;” but
the word denoting the name of the island and stream here has always been written
without the apostrophe. (See Beck’s Gazetteer (1824), p. 308 ; Wetmore’s Gazetteer
(1837), p. 249).

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

753

son county, and the Ashcrafts from Estill county ; Gray Bynum was a
South Carolinian ; Popineau was a Frenchman, from St. Genevieve;
the Pattons were Kentuckians.

The first white child born in Montgomery county was Jacob Gro-
shong, son of Lewis Groshong, born on or near Loutre island, in
1800. A few years since Mr. Groshong was living near Troy, Lincoln
county, hale and hearty.

Jacob Patton, his nephew, Thomas Patton and Hail Talbott came to
the island in 1809. Christopher Talbott, .Hail’s oldest son, came before
them with two negro slaves and put in a crop. Jacob Patton located
on section 30, township 46, range 4, just across the line in what is now
Warren county.

Benjamin Cooper, Sarshall Cooper and their families went to’
Boone’s Lick, Howard county, in the spring of 1808, but subsequently
returned to Loutre island in June 1808.

In 1807 occurred the ill-fated expedition of William T. Cole (“Tem¬
ple ” Cole), his brother Stephen Cole, James Murdock, John Gooch
and James Patton (?) up to Grand Prairie or Skull Lick, which is
mentioned elsewhere.

In 1808, Captain James ( ?) Clemson1 left Loutre island with a com¬
pany of mounted U. S. troops to build Ft. Osage, on the Missouri,
in Jackson county. In the same year John Snethen, a native of New
Jersey, came to the southern part of this township and settled four
miles above Loutre island, on the Missouri river, where he remained
one year, but later removed seven miles northward, and settled on Dry
Fork of Loutre. In 1812 he removed to Howard county- Mr.
Snethen afterwards removed his family to Hempstead’s Fort, and then
to Cooper’s Fort. On the night of the 14th of April of that year,
Capt. Sarshall Cooper was killed by some unknown person, and Mr.
Snethen was seated by his side at the time, but was not hurt. In
1818, he returned to his old place on Dry Fork of Loutre, where he
remained until his death.

Jacob Quick, his son Alexander, and Jacob Groom and their
families settled in Best’s Bottom about 1809. 2 Alexander lived near
the present site of Bethsaida Church.

Isaac Best and his wife came to Missouri in 1808, from Garrard

1 Capt. Clemson was one of the seconds of Chas. Lucas in his tragic duel withThos.
H. Benton, in 1817.

2 Rose says Jacob Quick settled on Loutre island, but his grand-daughter, Mrs. W.
B. Snethen, assures the writer that he first settled as above.

754

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

county, Ky., and settled on the bottom in Montgomery county, which
has since borne their name.

In December, 1810, Thomas Patton, from Kentucky, arrived in the
colony. He purchased the claim and improvement of one of the
Thorps, on the upper part of the island. Meantime, from 1806 to
1810, a dozen or more families had pushed up Loutre seven or eight
miles, and John Snethen and others were at Drv Fork, while three or
four families were on South Bear creek.

February 20, 1810, Col. Benjamin Cooper left Loutre island at the

head of a number of people (including his five sons), who had been

resident of Loutre island and the bottoms in St. Charles county, for

the Boone’s Lick country.

«/

When the War of 1812 came on and the fierce Northern Indians,
the Sacs, Foxes, Iowas and Pottawatomies, animated by a natural
hatred against the Americans and stimulated bv British gold, began to
make war upon the settlers of Missouri, the pioneers of Montgomery
county removed their families to one of the numerous forts on the
Missouri bottom and remained together until the danger was over. The
fort resorted to by the Montgomery county settlers was FortClemson,
which stood on the upper part of Loutre island, near the north bank of
the river. The site is in what is now Warren county. The exact loca¬
tion was on the south half of the. south-east quarter of section 30,
township 46, range 4, although near the center of said section 30.

Fort Clemson was "built in February, 1812, by a company of mounted
U. S. soldiers, presumably dragoons, commanded by Capt. Clemson,
previously mentioned as the builder of Fort Osage. The interior of the
fort comprised an area of half an acre or more. The fort itself was
in the form of a parallelogram. By order of Gen. Clark the fort was
named Fort Clemson, in honor of Capt. Clemson, its builder and
commander.

In 1811 there was considerable sickness among the settlers in Mont-
gomerv county. On Loutre island Thomas Patton and a child of his
died, and a Mr. Clark and others followed soon after. All were
buried back on the bluff. On the Loutre some children died, and the
body of a woman who had died was brought in to the Loutre grave¬
yard on the bluff.

It was from Fort Clemson that Capt. Callaway started March 7, 1815,
on the expedition that cost him and some of his company their lives.
Massey’s family had previously been run in from Loutre Lick and the
year before Daniel Dougherty was killed, and Jacob Groom and Jack
Stewart had their adventure with the Indians at the Big Spring.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 755

Jacob Groom came to the Big Spring (where he had previously pur¬
chased Laney Bowlin’s claim) in about 1816. Other settlers were
scattered up and down the Loutre valley, wherever there was a desir-
able location.

THE BIG SPRING SETTLEMENT.

After the settlement on Loutre island, the most importantin Loutre
township was that known as the Big Spring settlement. Laney
Bowlin made the first claim and built the first cabin here about 1808.
Jacob Groom removed thereto about 1810. The first children born
in the neighborhood were Groom’s, at the Big Springs. His son
William was born February 22, 1811 ; then his daughter, Lurinda
(now Mrs. W. B. Snethen), was born July 21, 1814. Later in the
same year Groom removed his family to Fort Clemson.

Jacob Groom was a native of Kentucky. He wTas a man of con¬
siderable education, and taught school on Loutre island, in Fort
Clemson, and elsewhere : represented the county two or three times
in the Legislature, was a magistrate and a very prominent citizen. He
died February 19, 1842 ; his wife, who was Sallie Quick, a daugh¬
ter of Jacob Quick, died January 7, 1865.

A man named Ryan, a Tennessean, started a tannery just below the
Big Spring in 1820, but he was killed sometime after and the enter¬
prise was abandoned.

EARLY HISTORICAL ITEMS.

The first regular physician remembered on the upper end of Loutre
island wTas Dr. James Talbott, afterward a member of the first con¬
stitutional convention of Missouri, and a member of the Legislature.
He died in about 1844. Dr. Wm. Newland was about the earliest
practitioner in the interior of the township.

In the Big Spring settlement the first religious services were held
at the house of John Snethen, in the year 1819. This was by the
Baptists, of whom the first preachers in this section were Wm. Coates,
Jabez Ham, Stephen Ham and Alia B. Snethen.

The first church built in Loutre township stood near a spring on
the north-west quarter of section 25, township 47, range 6. This
church building was put up by the Baptists in 1825. It has long since
disappeared, the logs having been hauled away in about 1840.

In about 1815 and 1816 there was a school taught in the block¬
house at Fort Clemson, on Loutre island, which was attended by the
children of the Montgomery county settlers. Hon. Jacob Groom

756

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

taught this school in 1816. The first school in the Big Spring neigh¬
borhood was taught in about 1824, and Isaac Darneal was the teacher.
In about 1825 or in 1826 a regular log school-house was built by the
contributed labor of the settlers, on Dry fork, above John Snethen’s
and near the present site of Trinity Church, two miles or less below
Americus. I. D. Lewis and - French were the first teachers.

When Hail Talbott came to Loutre island he brought with him a
number of brood mares, and from these there had sprung a number of
colts when the War of 1812 broke out. During the war, fearful of
a successful Indian raid, he swam nearly all of his horses across the
Missouri and pastured them until in 1816, when he returned them to
the north side of the river.

A distressing incident happened on the upper end of Loutre island
on a night in March, 1816, to Mr. Thos. Patton, son of Jacob Patton.
A frenzied and rabid wolf sprang upon him and bit him savagely in
the hand and on the shoulder. Five months afterward Mr. Patton
was taken with all the symptoms of hydrophobia, and died August
16, 1816, at the age of 43 years.

TILLAGES OF LOUTRE TOWNSHIP - RHINELAND.

The village or hamlet of Rhineland is situated about two miles from
the Missouri river, immediately under the bluff, in section 30, town¬
ship 46, range 5. Practically there is but one street, and at present
two stores and a dozen or more houses. There is a public hall on the
bluff in the western part of town.

More than 50 vears ago a number of Germans settled across on the

v c

south side of the Missouri river, in Gasconade countv. In about 1837
or ’38 Gerhard Lensing crossed over to the Montgomery side and
settled in the river bottom, south of where Rhineland now stands.
Mr. Lensing was from Dusseldorf, Prussia. He died in his Missouri
home not many years since. After him came a Mr. Westhoven, to
the first farm west of Monnig’s store. He died in New Orleans of
vellow fever.

In 1846 there came to the little settlement six German families —
those of Henry Groteveil, Wesley Thiesen, John Vendring, Henry
Katemann, Frank Goesen and Gerhard Johnson. The latter remained
but a short time. Henry Parrish settled the farm where Groteveil
now lives.

In 1853 Andrew Rincheval came and laid out the small village which
he then called and which still bears the name of Rhineland. He built
a large double log store-house, and put up a horse mill. Hugo Monnig

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

757

was then here among the others named. Mr. Rincheval continued to
live here, engaged in merchandising, until his murder by the bush¬
whackers in May, 1863. (See Chap. IX.)

Rhineland is situated on section 30, township 46, range 5, half a
mile from the Missouri river and 13 miles south of Danville.

Attracted by the German settlement at Rhineland, numerous Ger¬
man families crossed the Missouri and located at various points in the
lower part of this township prior to and since the Civil War. Those
who were here were loyal to the Union during the war ; many of them
enlisted in the regular Federal service, and Capt. Gensert’s company
of the enrolled militia was composed entirely of Germans from this
township. Under Gen. Rosecrans’ order in July, 1864, Capt. John
Kendrick reorganized and commanded substantially Gensert’s old
company, and was stationed for some time in Rhineland.

americus .

The village of Americus is on Dry fork of Loutre, in section 2,
township 46, range 6. The site is partly on the Joseph Barton farm
and partly on the Henry P. Sharff farm. Mr. Shard* had a house on
the village site some years before the war.

In 1865 Ambrose Bush and W. F. Wilson built a steam mill here,
and in 1866 James Talbot put up a store-house and opened a stock of
merchandise. Soon after a post-office was established called Dry
Fork Mills, which was subsequently changed at the request of the
citizens to Americus. The town was laid out by a Mr. Hines, sur¬
veyor, in 1869, and the same year came Joseph R. Dickey and opened
the first blacksmith shop. He still resides in the place.

At present (fall of 1884) Americus contains one dry goods store,
one drug store, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop and an excellent
steam saw and grist mill. Trinity Church, down the Dry fork a mile,
is noticed elsewhere.

BLUFFTON.

In about 1844 settlements were made on and near the present site
of Bluffton, and a dozen little houses were strung out alono* the river
road in 1846. John Hill and Wm. Hill are said to have been the first
or among the first settlers here. The village or hamlet was known as
“ Stringtown ” for many years.

In 1866 the Bluffton Wine Co., Mr. Sami. Miller at the head,
took charge of the town, laid it out and sold some lots, and engaged
extensively in grape growing. In July, 1867, the editor of the

758

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Farmers' Advertiser visited the place and made mention of the town
in a most excellent newspaper article ; lack of space prevents its in¬
sertion here.

BIG SPRING.

The hamlet and post-office of Big Spring is located on the south¬
east corner of section 28, township 47, range 5, a mile east of Loutre
creek, about eight miles, in a straight line, south-east of Danville.
Where the old Cote sans Dessein and St. Charles road crosses Loutre,
there is a dam and an old mill put up in 1846.

Originally, as noted elsewhere, the first post-office called Big
Spring was at Jacob Groom’s big spring, on the west side of Loutre,
nearly three miles from the present site. The office was moved to
the mill on Loutre, and then to the present location at the cross roads.
Big Spring contains Neidegerke’s store, which has been here since
before the war, and has also a dozen other houses.

COUNTRY CHURCHES.

Trinity M. E . Church South. — On section 35, township 47, range
6 (Loutre township), is found the frame house of worship of this con¬
gregation, erected in 1872 at an expenditure of $1,200. It is one of
the oldest bodies in this countv, having been formed in 1830, at which
time Peter Hunter, James Hunter, James P. Rigg, L. P. Rigg, James
Moore, Sr., and family and John Moore comprised the membership,
though it now numbers 114. Rev. J. M. Hoyle is the pastor in charge
at this writing. B. S. Baker superintends the Sabbath-school of 35
pupils.

Bethany M. E. Church. — In 1879 this church, which had been or¬
ganized in 1870, commenced the erection of a frame house of wor¬
ship, which cost $700. It is located at Big Springs, in Loutre township.
William and Anna Lichte, Henry Baur and his wife, Mr. Steiner and
wife, and Emil Baur were among the charter members. This number
has been added to until there are now 60 communicants. Revs. P.
Hehner, F. R. Miller, F. R. Schumacher, William Schleiter, T. R.
Rock, Henry Vosholl and Henry Miller have officiated as pastors here.
A parsonage is connected with the church, purchased in the spring of
1881, at an expenditure of $400. The Sunday-school of 33 scholars
finds an efficient superintendent in the person of Mr. H. Baur.

Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. — William H. Leavell, Muke
B. Sneathan, Thomas Horton, John W. Freeland, Moses Ellis, Mrs.
Jane Bridges, Caleb Anderson and others organized this church May

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

759

15, 1858, its location now being in Loutre township, on the south-east
quarter of section 28. There are now 140 names on the church roll
as members. A frame building, in which services are held, was com¬
pleted in 1869, at an expenditure of $1,000. This pulpit has been
supplied at different times by Revs. T. T. Johnson, J. H. Tuttle, M.
T. Bibb, D. W. Graves, Luther Bibb, J. W. Swift, J. D. Robnett,
James F. Smith and A. G. Mitchell.

CATHOLIC CHURCH AND MONASTERY.

Three miles north-west of Rhineland, on the Americus road, is a
line stone Catholic Church building, adjoining which is a monastery,
and adjacent thereto is a fine cemetery. In the monastery are at
present six monks of the order of St. Francis, whose superior is
Father Arsenius Fahle, a German monk, banished from Prussia by
Bismarck.

A history of this church and monastery was promised for this his¬
tory, but was not given us. Enough is known, however, to state that
the church organization has existed since before the Civil War, that the
cemetery is as old, but that the church and monastery have been built
long since. The membership is very large, embracing several
hundred.

The church is finely decorated and well furnished, but greater
improvements are contemplated. It already contains very fine images
of some of the superior saints, as well as of the Virgin, while the altar
is a superior piece of workmanship. A splendid pipe organ furnishes
the music.

The Franciscan brothers are building a school-house adjoining the
church.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

WARREN A. CROCKETT, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, and Dealer in General Merchandise, Americus).

Dr. Crockett was a grandson of Samuel Crockett, one of the early
settlers of Missouri, who came to Boone county from Virginia in the
territorial days of the country. Dr. Crockett’s father, Dr. William
W. Crockett, was in infancy, or about two years of age, when the
family came to this State. He grew up and received an advanced
general education. He also took a medical course and became a prac-

760

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ticing physician, in which he was engaged with success for many
years. He was likewise a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. Dr. Crockett, Sr., was a man of fine mental culture, one of
the bright scholarly men of this section of the State, and a citizen
whose citizenship was an honor to the community in which he lived.
In early manhood he was married to Mrs. E. G. Allison (maiden
name E. G. Smith), formerly of Kentuckj^, and they were blessed
with nine children, of whom Dr. Warren A. Crockett was the
seventh. The father died at Portland, in Callaway county, in 1880,
and the mother at the same place two years later. Dr. Warren A.
received his college training at Montgomery College, in Montgomery
City. He studied medicine under his father and Dr. F. A. Hamilton.
In 1874 he entered the American Medical College, of St. Louis, and
was Graduated with distinction three years later from the Missouri
Medical College. He then located at Rhineland, in Montgomery
county, where he began the practice of medicine. He continued the
practice there with satisfactory success until the spring of 1883, when
he came to Americus. Since coming to this place he has become in¬
terested in merchandising and now has an excellent general store,
where he carries a good stock of goods in his line and is the recipient
of a profitable and steadily increasing trade. On the 23d of Novem¬
ber, 1876, Dr. Crockett was married to Miss KateMonnig, a daughter
of Hugo and Caroline (Quick) Monnig, of Rhineland; her father,
originally from Germany, but her mother was born and reared in
Montgomery county. Mrs. Crockett was reared and educated at
Rhineland. The Doctor and Mrs. C. have three children : Ollie, Car¬
rie and Ida. The Doctor is a member of the A. F. and A. M.

HENRY HOLTWICK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Americus).

Among the names of the substantial agriculturists of the southern part
of the county must be mentioned that of the subject of the present sketch,
Mr. Holtwick. He is a native of Prussia, partly reared in the sov¬
ereign kiugdom of the German Empire, and possesses most of the
sterling qualities of his German lineage. By his own energy and
thrift he has come to be one of the substantial men of the community
of which he is a member, and now has a fine farm of 370 acres, well
improved and well stocked. During the war Mr. Holtwick served his
country faithfully in the Union army and for three years kept step
with the music of the Union. He was born at Buckholt, in Prussia,
March 21, 1837, and was a son of Herman and Adelaida (Heisterkamp)
Holtwick, whose ancestry on each side had long been settled in the
land of the Nibel ungen Lied. When he was about 10 years of age
the family immigrated to America, and settled in Montgomery county,
where the parents made their home until their deaths. Both were
worthy and consistent members of the Catholic Church. The father
was a sturdy farmer by occupation and to this pursuit Henry, the
subject of this sketch, was brought up. He was the sixth in a family

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

761

of eight children, and on the 1st of January, 1861, was married to Miss
Caroline Flucht, a daughter of John and Hannah (Walters) Flucht,
also from Prussia. Mr. and Mrs. H. have four childreu : Herman,
Hannah, Pauline and Caroline. Hannah is the wife of Lee Stewart,
of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Holtwick are members of the Holy
Catholic Church.

CHARLES T. MOORE.

(Farmer, Post-office, Americus),

Mr. Moore, one of the respected farmers and worthy citizens of
Loutre township, is a native of Virginia, born in Campbell county,
September 8, 1834, and a son of John Gr. and Elizabeth M. C. K.
(Wheeler) Moore, who came to Missouri in 1838, and settled in Mont¬
gomery county, where the father, a farmer by occupation, died in
1875, at the advanced age of 82 years. The mother died at the age
of 62, in 1869. Both were consistent and exemplary members of the
M. E. Church South. Charles T. Moore was the fifth of ten chil¬
dren, six of whom are living, and was reared on his father’s farm in
Montgomery county. October 16, 1878, he was married to Miss
Lydia, a daughter of Edward and Virginia (Moseley) Bush, of this
county, but formerly of Kentucky. Already Mr. Moore had engaged
in farming for himself, and he continued in this occupation after his
marriage. On the 5th of January, 1880, he had the misfortune to
lose his first wife. She died of heart disease. To his present wife
Mr. Moore was married on the 6th of September, nearly four years
after his first wife’s death. His present wife was a Miss Mollie J.
Hunter, a daughter of Robert W. and Louisa (Leach) Hunter, of this
county, but she was formerly of Virginia. Mr. Moore has a neat
farm in section 33, township 47, range 6, in this county, and is com¬
fortably situated on his place. He and wife are worthy members of
the M. E. Chureh South.

CHAPTEB XV.

DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.

As at present constituted, Danville township is the largest munici¬
pal township in Montgomery count}'. It is twelve miles in length
from east to west, by nine miles in width from north to south. Its
boundaries are a line beginning at the north-east corner of section 1,
township 48, range 5, running thence due west to the north-west of
section 7, township 48, range 6, on the Callaway county line, thence
due south to the south-west corner of section 19, township 47, range 6,
thence east to the south-east corner of section 24, township 47, range
5, on the Warren county line, thence north to the beginning.

The township contains a variety of soil, and the topography is very
irregular. Loutre creek runs through the western portion from north
to south, and except the narrow valleys along the stream, the country
on both sides is hilly, rough and stony. The western portion of the
township affords a fine field of investigation for geologists. There
is not only magnesian limestone in abundance, but frequently forma¬
tions of ferruginous sandstone as well. Near the residence of Mr.
D. F. Graham, a mile north of Mineola (section 27, township 48,
range 6), is to be seen the limestone with the sandstone covering it.

In some places, on the top of the bluff, the sandstone is worn by
the water into pendants and miniature columns. The red sandstone
is here 40 feet in thickness.

A few rods north of Mr Graham’s residence is a huge boulder of
limestone, 30 feet in diameter and 20 feet high, although irregular in
shape. Fair sized trees grow upon it, but in time they become
stunted and dwarfed, and fall to decay from the insufficiency of
nourishment.

(762)

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

763

On Loutre prairie hard-pan is found in many places at a depth of
18 inches. The prairie clays are very compact and tenacious, and
water lying on the surface does not easily penetrate them.

Archselogical remains are both numerous and interesting in this
township. In the western part, along Loutre, must have been a
favorite resort of the mysterious mound-builders. There are not
only numerous sepulchral mounds in this quarter, but there are
reasons for believing that in one instance — in the south-western por¬
tion of the township, a mile or more west of Loutre river — there is
a sacrificial mound. East of this, toward the Loutre, near Mr.
England’s residence, are numerous mounds of the sepulchral class.
Some of these have been opened and human bones, teeth, etc., found.
Fragments of pottery are scattered about in the field in which these
mounds are, and in one place there could recently be seen pieces of
mussel shells in considerable numbers, obtained no doubt from Loutre,
half a mile distant.

West of Mineola, on the high hills, and indeed up and down the
stream elsewhere, are scattered mounds, resting places of the dead
of that mysterious race of whose coming and going into and out of
this country no man now knows.

Mr. D. F. Graham has a valuable and interesting collection of
archselogical specimens gathered in this township. His assortment of
stone-axes, flint arrow-points and lance-heads, bone implements, etc.,
is both interesting and valuable. There are a few unimportant caves
or caverns in the township. One, a few rods north of Mr. Gra¬
ham’s, is interesting, because it shows the dip and inclination of the
rock formation.

EARLY HISTORY.

Doubtless Thomas Massey, who located at the Loutre Lick in 1813,
and whose settlement and misfortunes there are noted fully on other
pages, was the first bona fide white settler within what is now Dan¬
ville township. Massey had a family of eleven children, and one of
his daughters, now a Mrs. Patton, is yet living in the south-eastern
part of this county, near Loutre Island, aged 85.

Next after Massey came Maj. Isaac Van Bibber to Loutre Lick
(see Mineola) with his numerous family. The major had ten children.

In the spring of 1816 Robert Graham came from Kentucky and
settled on the north-east quarter of the south-west quarter of section
27, township 48, range 6, or a mile or more above Mineola, where
now his son, D. F. Graham, lives. He built a cabin under the hill,

764

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

a hundred yards from D. F.’s residence, and cleared off the field on
the Loutre bottom adjacent. The land was purchased from Daniel
M. Boone, the son of old Daniel Boone, and was a part of a Spanish
grant to the latter.

Mr. Graham is called a physician by Rose, and some of the old
settlers yet living call him “ the old doctor,” but he was not a regu¬
lar physician. A scarcity of physicians in this country when he came
here led him to be his own doctor, and he procured some medical
works, which he easily mastered ; and afterwards he bought a small
stock of drugs, and gradually acquired an extensive practice, but not
a very profitable one, for his services were uniformly given without
money and without price.

When Graham first came he brought two slaves with him, “ Billy ”
and Mildred, or “ Milley.” The latter is still living near Montgomery
City. The three cleared off a “ patch,” and then Graham brought
his family to Loutre Lick, June 1, 1816. He resided here until his
death, September 29, 1855, aged 75. His wife died August 11, 1865,
aged 76.

After Robert Graham perhaps the next settler was James Beatty,
who came in 1818 and located on section 20, township 48, range 6,
two miles west of Loutre Lick, and where D. P. Davis now lives.

Daniel Morgan Boone, son of the old pioneer, came to the south-east
quarter of section 28, township 48, range 6, a mile or more north-west of
Loutre Lick, on the west side of the stream, in 1819, and built a large
cabin one-fourth of a mile east of the present residence of Alexander
Graham. Col. Boone had several important positions under the
government, and during the Indian Wars — 1812 to 1816 — was
colonel of the militia. He made many government surveys in the
present counties of St. Charles, Warren, Montgomery and Lincoln.
He is said to have resembled his father more than any other of the
children.

Col. Boone had a considerable family of slaves and children. He
had married in St. Charles county a Miss Lewis, a beautiful and ac¬
complished lady, amiable, kind and charitable. They subsequently
removed to what is now Jackson county, where, we believe, they lived
the remainder of their lives. Col. Boone died in Jackson county,
July 13, 1839, aged 71.

While he lived in Montgomery county Daniel M. Boone received
frequent visits from his distinguished father. Alexander Graham and
others saw him on these occasions.

James Davis came from Clark county, Ky., in the fall of 1820, to

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

765

section 29, township 48, range 6, a mile or so south of James Beatty’s.
He built a cabin, which is still standing, at the present residence of
his son, Daniel B. Davis. James Davis had married Jemima Hays,
a grand-daughter of Daniel Boone.

Col. David Craig, though unmarried at the time, was an early
arrival in the Loutre Lick settlement. He came to the Lick in 1817,
and made his home for two years with Maj. Van Bibber. Col. Craig
was a soldier of the War of 1812, and served in Gen. McCarthv’s
division on the battle of Brownsville, Canada. He also was called
out under Col. Nathap Boone, in 1832, during the Black Hawk War,
and was elected colonel of the militia in 1834.

Perhaps the first settler in the eastern part of Danville township was
Col. Amos Kibbe, who settled in 1823, “ in a little prairie, 11 miles
from Camp Branch, where the Boone’s Lick and Cote sans Dessein
roads forked.” Here was where the town of Lewiston, the second
county seat of the county, was laid out.

Hon. Nathaniel Dryden settled a few miles west of Lewiston, on
the Boone’s Lick road, in 1829. He came immediately from Wash¬
ington county, Va., which county he had represented in the State
Legislature. After coming here he represented Montgomery county
in the Missouri Legislature for several terms.

Mr. Dryden built a horse mill near Danville soon after his arrival in
Montgomery county, which, being something unusual for those times,
attracted a great deal of attention. It was situated on a high point
of ground, where the wind had a fair sweep against it, and several
persons came near freezing to death while grinding grain during cold
weather ; its capacity for grinding was from three to five bushels
per day.

John H. Dutton, Thos. T. Elton and Philip Glover, all Mary-
landers, settled on North Bear creek in 1820 or 1821. Drury Clan¬
ton and Henry Clanton, Tennesseans, settled on “ Pinch ” branch,1
about five miles south of Danville, in 1818. Drury Clanton was a
Methodist minister, and it was at his house that the first Methodist
congregation in Montgomery county was organized, in 1819, by him¬
self and Rev. Robert Baker. A Sunday-school was also organized at
the same time and place, and the first camp meeting in Montgomery
county was held there, on what was called the Loutre camp ground.

The land in this township was surveyed about 1818.

1 So called because the people who lived ou it were always in a “pinch ” for some¬
thing to live upon.

76(3

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ITEMS OF EARLY HISTORY.

The first ministers in Danville township were Drury Clanton and
Robert Baker, Methodists, and William Coates, Dr. Hubbard, William
Davis and James Barnes, Baptists.

Mr. Coates was a South Carolinian, but removed to Callaway county
in 1817, and settled on the prairie which still bears his name.

Pioneer Families makes the following mention of Jabez Ham :
“ Jabez Ham, brother of John, was born in Madison county, Ky., in
1797, and came to Missouri in 1817. He had no education, and was
of a roving disposition. His mind was naturally bright, and if he
had been educated he would have made a remarkable man. Rev. Aley
Snethen and Lewis Jones taught him the alphabet, and in 1824 he
began to preach, having united with the Old or Hard Shell Baptist
Church. In 1826 he organized a church of that denomination on
Loutre creek and called it New Providence. * * * He was a large,

stout man, and often added emphasis to his opinions by the use of his
fists.”

Soon after the arrival of old Charles B. Harper in Montgomery
county, in 1830, he went over to Callaway county one day to get a
load of corn, and wore his usual every-day clothes, made of home-
spun cloth. On his way back the road led him by a house where Jabe
Ham was preaching, and he stopped to hear the sermon. During the
service the minister called on the congregation to kneel in prayer, and
all knelt except Mr. Harper, who leaned his head upon his hand, and
remained in that position. Ham noticed him, and prayed the Lord
would bless “ that Virginia man who had on store clothes, and was
afraid or too proud to get down on his knees.”

The first school in Loutre Lick settlement was taught in 1820 or
1821 by John Skinner in a small house that stood south of Robert
Graham’s. Some of the scholars were John C. Holland and Lucinda
Whitesides, John, Marian, Catharine and Alex. W. Graham'; Isaac,
Elvira, Erretta, Pantha and Ewing A. Van Bibber; Angus, John,
Daniel, Sally Ann and Margaret Galbreath.

Dr. William Newland was the first regular physician to locate in the
township, about 1824.

The first mills resorted to were the mill at St. Charles, Best’s horse
mill, on Loutre, and Alexander Persinger’s horse mill, below Loutre
island.

Capt. John Baker settled in Montgomery county in 1820, and soon
after built a water mill on Loutre, on the east side, just below the

HISTOEY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

767

mouth of Prairie fork. The mill stood some distance from the stream,
and was turned by a race of some huudreds of yards in length. When
cutting this race the workmen found many archaeological specimens,
arrow-heads, pottery, etc. The mill was owned and operated by Syl¬
vester and Capt. John Baker. It was the first in all this section, and
was kept running night and day at times, being resorted to by settlers
from Callaway and Warren, as well as from this county.

The first goods (what few were used) were purchased at St. Charles
and at the French trading post at Cote Sans Dessein.

There was a saltpeter cave near Robert Graham’s and in the year
1817 William and Robert Graham made salpetre and sent it to St.
Louis. In 1826-27 saltpetre was obtained here and manufactured
into gunpowder. The. cave was well known in early days. It was in
the south-eastern part of the township where Marcus Hatton, Chris.
Logan, John Anderson, Ira Tatum and John Marlow were killed by
the militia, after the Anderson raid.

During the Civil War Danville township was well represented on
both sides.

LOUTRE VALLEY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church now has a membership of 68. The church building
cost $800 when erected in 1879, and it is a frame house. Robert
D. Graham, Robert W. Page, John A. Walker, George L. Walker,
Malon A. Bibb, Charles W. Bibb, George W. Taylor, Robert Gib¬
son, Polly Ann Graham, Sarah M. Bibb, Sallie C. Bibb, Emma Y.
Bibb and Martha C. Taylor comprised the original members and
formed the organization on December 10, 1876. James F. Smith
and Rev. M. T. Bibb have served as pastors, the latter being the
present incumbent. The location of this church is in section 10,
township 47, range 6 (Danville township). A Sabbth-school of
40 pupils has for its superintendent J. A. Walker.

DANVILLE .

Jud^e Ollv Williams settled on the farm east of where Danville
now is (known now as the Woodruff farm) about 1820. He after¬
ward sold out to Conrad Carpenter, who built the large brick house,
still standing, on the eastern border of town, and opened a tavern
stand. In 1834, when the countv seat was located at Danville, Con-
rad Carpenter owned the land comprising the eastern part of town,
and Henry Davault that including the western portion. Dr. Wm.
Newland had built a house on the western border of town (now owned
by J. M. Barker), on Davault’s land. Carpenter and Davault donated

768

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the county seat site to the county. The town was named for Dan¬
ville, Va.

Charles Drury, a merchant at Loutre Lick, removed to Danville in
1834 and opened the first store in a log house, in the eastern part of
town. His daughter, Susan B. (now the wife of Dr. W. B. Adams),
was the first child born in the place.

Perhaps the second house was built by Dr. Mordecai M. Maughs,
and after him came Capt. John Baker and Richard Timberlake. The
first tavern-keeper after Carpenter was Esq. Diggs. Col. Kibbe was
also at Danville at an early day.

The court house was built of brick and made ready for occupation
in 1836, but the inside finishing was never completed ; however, it
answered to hold court in and for the offices, and stood until torn down
in 1864. It was in the public square, nearly on the site of the pres¬
ent building. The jail was built after the court house and two men
named McClintic were the builders. It was of logs, but was fairly
safe and comfortable.

The town sprang into life very suddenly after the records were re¬
moved from Lewiston. In 1837 Wetmore’s Gazetteer said of it: —

Lewiston, the former county seat, is defunct. Danville, the pres¬
ent county seat, was laid out about three years ago. It is pleasantly
and advantageously situated on the Boone’s Lick road, in Loutre prai¬
rie, and is a thriving village, having a handsome new brick court
house, a jail, several stores, groceries and mechanic establishments.
Montgomery and Danville are increasing in wealth and population,
and still offer higher inducements for emigrants than many other
places that are much more resorted to.

In time, as the capital of the county, Danville grew to be a place of
much notoriety and of considerable importance. Arouud the square
there were blocks of brick business houses of respectable size and
character, while many an elegant residence was situated on the back
streets. The county officials, for the most part, resided here during
their terms of office.

In about 1847 Prof. James H. Robinson came to Danville and es¬
tablished a female college. Large and commodious buildings adapted
for the purpose were erected in the southern portion of the town, and
soon the reputation of this college was established.

A- O

Prof. Robinson was not only efficient and popular as a teacher, but
was worthy and honored as a citizen and a man. He was a native of
Virginia, and educated at St. Charles College. His school was con-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

769

tinned with but slight intermissions until after the Anderson raid, but
in a short time it was closed.

In about 1860 Wm. C. Lovelace removed the Montgomery City
Journal office to Danville,. and began the publication of a paper called
the Chronicle. In the winter of 1861 this paper was called the Her¬
ald, and Dan M. Draper was editor.

In 1867, after the war, Dan M. Draper established the Danville
Star , a Radical Republican paper, and continued its publication about
two and a half years, when the material was sold to J. B. Ellis, of the
Montgomery Standard. The Ray was established December 7, 1871,
by Col. L. A. Thompson, published here nearly five years and then
moved to Montgomery City. (See History of Montgomery City —
“ Newspapers.” )

When the war came on a majority of the people of Danville were
for the Union, but there were a number of strong secessionists. The
sad fate of Robt. P. Terrill and Granville Nunnelly, killed July 22,
1861, detailed elsewhere, shocked the people of both sympathies.
Then afterward came the murder of Gilbert and Moore and Dig^s

and Simons and the lad Ira Chinn and the burning of the town by
the bushwhackers.

The first Federal troops in Danville were Hammer’s company ; then
McNulta’s red-shirted company of the Second Illinois cavalry, then
Kirby’s company, of the Eighth Missouri. All these came in the sum¬
mer of 1861, but remained onlv a short time.

In December, 1861, Alvin Cobb, with his Confederate raiders or
partisans, held the town a few hours, but evacuated upon the appear¬
ance of the Tenth Missouri and Eighty-first Ohio. These two regi¬
ments came in on Christmas day, and were welcome visitors to many
of the citizens who distrusted “ rebel ” occupation.

It was at Danville where the famous Co. C, Ninth M. S. M.,
was recruited, and also where Co. D, Forty-ninth Missouri infan¬
try, was organized by Capt. Geo. J. Smith. The town was not only
the scene of some exciting events during the war, but its citizens
took a liberal hand in the great contest itself.

The building of the North Missouri Railroad, leaving Danville five
miles to the westward, was the beginning of the impairment of the
prosperity of the town, and this was followed by the war, during
which the place was visited literally by fire and sword, and its best
institutions destroyed and some of its best citizens butchered.

In 1867, when the court house was built, it seemed fair to presume
that the location of the county seat at Danville was permanently se-

770

.HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

cured ; but it was not long until efforts were made to take the county
capital to Montgomery City and to New Florence. The uneasiness
among property holders in Danville has not yet been removed, for
every year seems to be a nearer approach to the period when the
county seat must go.

Some of the best men and women in Missouri have lived in Dan¬
ville. Its citizens have graced the council halls of the State, have
been renowned in the various walks and pursuits of life, and have been
honorable and worthy members of society, but the dry rot of unimprove¬
ment has nearly finished what the torches of the Confederate guer¬
rillas spared. Large and commodious residences sell with the ground
on which they stand for one-fourth of the cost of the buildings.

INCORPORATIONS.

Danville has been twice incorporated, first as a town by the Legis¬
lature, March 2, 1855, after which its affairs were governed by a
mayor and four councilmeu until its incorporation as a city of the
fourth class, in April, 1878. The first officers under the new incor¬
poration were W. D. Bush, mayor; D. B. Huddleston, S. M. Barker,
E. M. Hugh and John Barker, councilmen ; H. Potts, clerk; Thos.
M. Johnson, marshal ; John M. Barker, street commissioner.

At the present the town contains but two general stores, one black¬
smith shop, two hotels, a saloon, besides the county court house and
some 35 or 40 residences. There are two church organizations — the
Discipl es and Methodist South — but for failure of those who prom¬
ised information concerning the former to give it, no history of it can
be stated. The present population of this town is about 225.

M. E. CHURCH SOUTH.

The M. E. Church South at Danville was organized in 1836, pro¬
bably by Rev. Andrew Monroe. Of the first members there were
Charles Drury and wife, Capt. John Baker and wife, Ira H. Ellis and
wife, Joseph P. Wiseman and wife, and James Robinson and wife.
Revs. Andrew Monroe, Dr. Richard Bond, who died in Danville ; W.
W. Redman, who also died in Danville ; W. A. McNeily, Wesley
Miller, L. T. McNeily, George Penn, George Smith, J. O. Edmon¬
son and W. F. Bell have all served this church. The present mem¬
bership is 50. The first church building, a brick structure, was
commenced in 1848, and dedicated in 1850 by Bishop E. M. Marvin.
During the war it was used for soldiers’ quarters. It is now owned
by the negroes as a church building. The present house of worship

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

771

is a frame building, and was constructed in 1859 for Prof. Robinson’s
school chapel at a cost of $2,000. There are 80 scholars in the
Sabbath-school, which is superintended by J. M. Barker.

MASONIC LODGE.

In about 1842, under a charter issued from the Masonic Grand
Lodge of Missouri, this lodge was organized under the name of Dan-
ville Lodge No. 72. The dispensation was issued from Troy Lodge,
Lincoln county. The lodge held its first meetings in a room in the
court house, and then in Stewart & Robinson’s brick building. Until
October 14, 1864, the lodge prospered and worked harmoniously.
Then the Bill Anderson raid was made, and the lodge room and all
the records, books and papers were destroyed. The charter members
of this first organization were - Overly, David Rice, Jas. H. Rob¬

inson, John Scott, D. W. Baker, S. M. Baker and A. O. Forshey.
Of these there are none now living except S. M. Baker. Of the first
officers John Scott was probably master, and S. M. Baker, tyler.
There were, perhaps, 50 or 60 members when the lodge was strongest.
May 26, 1865, charter No. 72 was reissued and the lodge authorized to
proceed as if no interruption had occurred. In reissuing the new
charter the Grand Lodge appointed Jas. H. Robinson, master, and
Ira H. Ellis and Wm, D. Bush, wardens. The first meeting under
the new charter was held July 11, 1865, and the following officers
elected: A. C. Stewart, master; W. D. Bush and R. B. Mcllhany,
wardens; J. W. McDaniel, treasurer ; L. A. Thompson, secretary.
The present officers are E. M. Hughes, master; Geo. W. McCarty
and John M. Barker, wardens; B. T. Adams, treasurer ; John B.
Harris, secretary ; W. B. McCall, tyler. At this writing there are 29
members. The hall in which the lodge meets is owned in partnership
with the Christian Church. Danville Lodge is the oldest Masonic
lodge in the county. It is in good financial condition.

NEW FLORENCE.

The town of New Florence stands on section 23, township 48, range
5, and is situated in the eastern part of Danville township. The
Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad runs through the place.

New Florence was laid out in 1857 by Hon. E. A. Lewis. The land
was formerly owned by Mortimer Mcllhaney, but was sold by him to
Judge Lewis. At first it was called Florence, after the only daughter
of Judge Lewis,1 and was so platted and recorded, but after a time it

Now the wife of Robert Atkinson, Esq., a merchant of St. Louis.

772

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

was discovered that there was a town of the same name in Morgan
county, this State, and so by act of the Legislature in March, 1859,
the name was changed to New Florence.

The first house in town was a dwelling built by James Wood, and
stood in the western part of town. It was a small one-storv frame.
Mr. Wood's was the first family in town. The first storehouse was
built opposite the depot in 1856.

The depot building was erected soon after Wood’s house, and
Nathaniel Patton was the first station agent, and a Mr. Van Orden
the second. The post-office was established in 1857, and kept in a
little confectionary store run by Duncan Hughes.

Nathaniel Patton built the first hotel, opposite the depot, in about
1858. The first school house was built in 1859, and stood on the site
of the present academy building. It is now used as a storehouse on
the south side of the railroad.

In 1861 the town numbered about a dozen houses, nearly all of
which stood on the south side of the track. In the fall^of this year a
fire broke out and consumed all of the important buildings of the place
but four.

In December, 1861, or about January 1, 1862, a company of the
Third Iowa infantry, commanded by Capt. Herron, was sent into New
Florence. This was after the road had been torn up by the^Confeder-
ates, and while the Tenth Missouri and Eighty-first were at High Hill
and Danville. For a time the soldiers were quartered gin the school-
house. Other detachments of Federal troops and militia were here
from time to time during the war.

The most notable incident in the history of New Florence]during the
troubles of the civil war was the raid of Bill Andersomand his band
upon the place, in October, 1864, and the burning of the^depot. The
particulars of this affair are narrated elsewhere.

In the year 1862 Messrs. Hunter, Ellis & Powell built a store, but
with this exception there was but little other improvement in the place
during the war. Soon after, however, the place took afresh start and
improved very fairly for a year or so.

In 1869 there were but three ©r four houses north of the track, and
the population of the village did not exceed 200. Some time in 1866
a joint stock company built a frame building, which was^used as an
academy. The first school in this building had for principal Mr.
Abram Davault, who had nearly 200 scholars under his [charge for
some time. The school was a very good one, but in time other
schools were established, the attendance fell off, and inJ1868 he

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

773

closed. In 1869-70 Prof. Carl Vincent (now of Texas) had charge,
but in the latter year he, too, closed the school, and thereafter the
building was not occupied except by the Good Templars and for lec¬
tures, etc.

In 1870-71 the public school building was put up. The citizens
voted to withdraw the funds which had been previously given to the
academy and build the new school-house, which is a two-story frame,
and yet stands north of the track. The Masonic lodge room was
built in the second story. This building was used until in 1882-83,
when the academy building was rented for school purposes.

In April, 1884, the academy building was purchased by the school
district, of T. J. Powell, for $1,500. The building is now the second
best school-house in the county. The first principal was (and now
is) W. H. Fields, with an assistant, Miss Effie Davis. The number
of scholars in average attendance is 90 ; total enumeration in the
district, 112. A colored school has been taught in the colored church
for some time. With the exception of one year Elijah Cooper has
taught this school for the past ten years. There are 18 colored chil¬
dren in the district and an average attendance at the school of 15.

It was during the years 1872 and 1873 that New Florence had its
“ boom.” The principal houses in the place were built then. A good
hotel had been built and opened in the fall of 1869 by Albert Pulling-
ton. The Montgomery County Fair Association was formed here in
1866, and gave several exhibitions. It died about 1869, and the
grounds and other property were purchased by Mr. Jacob See, its
leading member and president.

THE CYCLONE OF 1867.

August 19, 1867, a cyclone struck the village of New Florence
and destroyed the partially erected amphitheater of the fair grounds
belonging to the County Fair Association, besides killing two men
and wounding others. The particulars of this incident were thus
narrated by a correspondent of the Montgomery Standard and pub¬
lished in that paper August 23, 1867 : —

On the morning of the 19th inst. our village was visited by one
of those “ simoon winds ” or hurricanes so usual after extensive
drouth. The dark clouds “passed in fury,” gathering strength in
each “ whirl,” burst in violence about one mile west of our village,
and directing its course east and north, came in contact with the par¬
tially erected amphitheater of the County Fair grounds, where the
entire corps of hands had taken refuge, and, in one sudden moment,
a crush, a wreck, a wail. The entire amphitheater was swept to the

774 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

earth, and nearly every man more or less injured and two killed in the
moment : Mr. James G. West and a colored man named Wiley
Graham. Among the severely wounded were Mr. D. H. Nunnelly, in
head and hip ; Mr. Miles Johnson, in spine ; Mr. John E. Loyd, arm
broken and otherwise bruised ; Mr. J. Fisher, in head and hip ; Master
Tommie See (son of Mr. Jacob See), in face and head; Master Jimmie
Powell (son of Mr. T. J. Powell), bruised in several places; L. H.
Fleet, in head ; Toleson Hunter, in face ; Mr. Fred. Davault,in back ;
Mr. George Ramsey, in leg ; Thomas Graham (colored) ; Isaac Jenkins
(colored); one man name unknown was severely injured in back;
Mr. George H. Sparks, the foreman, was bruised very much from the
fall.

ITEMS .

In 1876 New Florence made a creditable effort to obtain the county
seat of Montgomery county, but failed.

In 1878, according to McCleary, the town had four dry goods stores,
one drug store, two furniture stores, one hardware and agricultural
store, three millinery establishments, two blacksmith and wagon shops,
one grist and saw mill, three churches, two hotels, one seminary build¬
ing, one good public school house and one newspaper. Population
about 350.

In 1884 it had a population of about 425 ; contained three churches,
Christian, M. E. South and Cumberland Presbyterian ; three lodges of
secret orders, Masonic, OddFellows and Good Templars ; one newspa¬
per, the Optic; a good creamery, two hotels, a first-class school house
and school, five general stores, two drug stores ; one furniture, one
hardware, one boot and shoe and one millinery store; a livery stable,
blacksmith and wagon shop, marble yard, two lumber yards, two grain
dealers and two saloons.

New Florence was incorporated as a town August 2, 1869, “ on the
petition of Riley H. Mansfield and others.’’ The first board of trus¬
tees was composed of Nathaniel Patton, James A. Simpson, Melvin
Guthridge, Thos. J. Wiley and John T. Hunter.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper in New Florence was started in October, 1869,
by Melville Guthridge, who employed as editors T. H. Musick and C.
E. Dwyer, of Wellsville. The editorial “copy” was sent down by
mail, although Dwyer was here in person frequently. The paper was
called the New Florence Plaindealer. It was a seven-column folio
and Republican in politics. Really it was started to assist in the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

775

county seat movement in favor of New Florence. The office was at
first in Wilson Garrett’s building.

During the political campaign of 1870 the Plaindeciler espoused the
Liberal Republican cause and worked against the election of McClurg.
Musick and Dwyer resigned as editors, but Guthridge was still the
publisher, and the real editor was unknown. In a year or so the
Plaindeciler passed into the hands of M. J. Jones, and then in a -few
months Nat. Patton took charge, to be succeeded in a short time bv
C. H. See, who ran the paper about three months, when it suspended.
The material of the office was stored for a year and then purchased
by Mr. Harris, who removed it to Jonesburg and established the
Jonesburg Leader .

October 17, 1877, Riley H. Mansfield issued the first number of the
New Florence Optic , a six-column folio, independent in politics. This
paper is still in existence, and is yet presided over by its original pro¬
prietor. It is fairly supported and deserving of its general popularity
in the town and community where it is published.

THE NEW FLORENCE CREAMERY.

This institution was put into operation June 4, 1884. It is owned
by the New Florence Creamery Company, an incorporated association
with a capital of $6,500. The officers are T. J. Powell, president ; Dr.
Kallmeyer, secretary ; C. E. Stewart, treasurer. The superintend¬
ent of the institution is a Mr. Stewart. The creamery makes 300*
pounds of butter daily, but has a capacity of 2,500 pounds.

CHURCHES AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

The first church in New Florence was a union church built after
the war by the Methodists, Baptists and Christians, and purchased
by the Christians some ten years ago. Probably the first sermon in
the place was preached by Rev. W. S. McNeiley, the well known
Methodist divine.

An Episcopal Church was built, perhaps in 1871, and services held
therein a few times; but it was never dedicated, and in 1877 was
purchased by the M. E. Church (“Northern Methodists”) and
used by that denomination until in the spring of 1883, when it was
sold to its present owners, the Cumberland Presbyterians.

Some years since the Sunday-school at New Florence had a wide¬
spread and an enviable reputation. It was organized on the second
Sunday in April, 1865. The first meetings were held in Marshal

776

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

McElhany’s residence ; afterwards in the railroad depot, in the acad¬
emy, and elsewhere. The first superintendent was Joseph Stewart,
who served for three months, and was succeeded by P. P. Ellis, who
served very efficiently until in December, 1871. The school never
missed a Sabbath except on an occasion of two or three unusually
heavy storms.

After Mr. Ellis left he organized a Sunday-school in connection
with the M. E, Church South, and into this most of the scholars after¬
wards went. The former school was called for a time the New Flor¬
ence Union Sunday-school, but it gradually passed out of existence.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church. — A church of this denomina¬
tion was formed at New Florence in 1872, the original members being
Mrs. I. H. Bernard, Taylor Bernard, S. P. Shaw, D. Janssen, Miss
Mollie Webb, M. Guthridge, Mrs. Guthridge, Francis Bryant and
James Nelson. From 1872 to 1884 J. R. Patton was the pastor in
charge. Rev. Ingram is the present pastor of the congregation of
24 members. In 1871 the house of worship which they now occupy
was erected by the Episcopals. It is a frame structure, and is val¬
ued at $600.

M. F. Church South. — Information and data concerning the his¬
tory of this church has not been furnished up to the time of going
to press with this volume, although faithfully and repeatedly prom¬
ised. All that can here be stated is that the church building was ded¬
icated in July, 1871, by Bishop E. M. Marvin.

Christian Church. — J. C. Ford is clerk of this church, which now
numbers 45 members. Its organization occurred in 1871, Bro.
Thomas Marlow taking an active part in its formation. The mem¬
bers then were E. W. Howell, W. Y. Howell, S. Broadwater, Elihu
Milliken, Orlena Milliken, A. J. Ward, Margaret Goodrich, J. A.
Smith and wife, Elizabeth McClure, Ellen M. Ford, J. A. Burton,
A. French and wife, Mary C. Cullurn, Eliza McMahan, J. A. Simpson
and wife and Miss Lizzie Goodrich. The first pastor of the church,
Thomas Marlow, was followed by W. B. Gallaher, and he in turn by
the present incumbent, W. T. Sallee. This house of worship is val¬
ued at $1,000.

SECRET ORDERS.

Odd Fellows. — November 7, 1865, Zenith Lodge No. 157, I. O.
O. F., was instituted with the following members: W. R. West,
Richard McCormack, Mathew Moore, John Morgan, Joseph Hibbert,
Harris Keeney, P. P. Ellis, J. R. Bodine. The first officers were :

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

777

P. P. Ellis, noble grand ; T. H. Ford, vice-grand; J. C. Ellis, secre¬
tary ; L. T. McNeely, treasurer; and the present officers are: A.
Davault, noble grand; T. H. Ford, vice-grand; Clark Morris,
secretary; John Morris, treasurer. At this writing the membership
is 31.

Masonic Lodge. — The Masonic Lodge at New Florence, No. 261, was
instituted October 15, 1868, with the following officers: A. C. Stew¬
art, worshipful master; J. H. Tuttle and J. C. Ford, wardens; D.
H. Nunnelly, treasurer ; M. Guthridge, secretary ; W. M. Sutton and
M. Patten, deacons; E. D. Owen, tyler. The lodge has only a mem¬
bership of 13. Since June 1, 1884, the officers have been : P. P.
Ellis, worshipful master ; R. H. Mansfield and I. W. Stewart,
wardens ; W. Y. Howell, treasurer ; B. E. Wilson, secretary ; W. R.
Pennington and Ben Hall, deacons ; D. P. Taylor, tyler.

Good Templars Lodge . — May 10,1865, New Florence Lodge No.
34, I. O. G. T., was organized, with Rev. Marshal Mcllhany,
Joseph M. Stewart, John A. Franklin, Stephen S. Kuettle,
Fannie Franklin, Mary'C. Jasper, Bettie Nunnelly, P. P.
Ellis, John T. Hunter, Mollie J. Hunter, George W. Howell, Jesse
B. McMahan, Hannah A. Mcllhany, Bettie W. Milton and Joshua B.
Morris as members. The lodge has now a membership of 55, with
the following officers : E. D. Woollem, worthy chief; Lizzie Woollem,
worthy vice ; Clark Morris and Robert See, recording and financial
secretaries ; Lizzie Stultz, treasurer ; Y. P. Marmaduke, chaplain ; Ed.
Allen, marshal ; K. Marmaduke, inside guard ; Elijah Owens, senti¬
nel ; G. A. Stultz, past worthy chief ; B. McCoy, lodge deputy. P.
P. Ellis was for seven years grand worthy chief templar of the State
Grand Lod^e. This is one of the oldest living lodges in the State of
Missouri. It owns the hall in which it meets — valued at $500 — and
is in a flourishing condition £enerallv.

MINEOLA.

The little village of Mineola occupies the site of the far-famed
Loutre Lick, of pioneer notoriety, and even of later-day prominence,
whose name was mentioned in the United States Congress as early as
1824 by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun as
“ the Bethesda mentioned by the honorable Senator from Missouri ”
(Hon. Thos. H. Benton).

The site of the town and considerable of the region round about —
460 acres in all — was originally granted by the Spanish government
when Missouri belonged to Spain, and before the treaty of San

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Ildefonso, somewhere about 1800, to Col. Nathan Boone, son of
Daniel Boone.

In the winter of 1812-13 Thomas Massey, Sr., of the settlements in
St. Charles, rented the land about Loutre Lick of Col. Nathan
Boone, came up and cleared off the land on the south side of the lick
and the little stream now called Sallee’s Branch, and built a cabin on
the north side, now occupied by the residence of Mr. Haines. It was
the next spring that Massey’s boy, Harris, was killed by the Sac
Indians, as related elsewhere.

Massey made no further attempts to live at the Loutre Lick after
his family was driven away by the Indians, and in 1815 Col. Boone
sold the land to Maj. Isaac Van Bibber, whose father was killed at the
battle of Pt. Pleasant, Va., in 1774, and when less than three years
old he was adopted into the family of old Daniel Boone, who raised
him to manhood. When but 13 years of age young Van Bibber
served as a scout against the Indians in Virginia. He came to Missouri
with Nathan Boone in 1800, settled first in Darst’s Bottom, and during
the War of 1812 served as major in the militia under Col. Daniel
M. Boone. Col. Nathan Boone married Olive Van Bibber, a cousin
of Isaac Van Bibber. It is claimed that Van Bibber’s wife, Susanna
Hays, was the first wrhite child born in Kentucky. She was born at
Boonesborough, in 1776.

Maj. Van Bibber repaired the Massey cabin, and put up what it
is claimed was the first frame house in Montgomery count}7, or in this
part of Missouri. This was in 1821. The lumber was whip-sawed.
For many years this building was used as a hotel. A few years since
it was remodeled and converted into the lars:e frame building: owned
by Mr. Haines and still standing under the hill, just north of the
Boone’s Lick road. Van Bibber also added one or two cabins to his
collection and a row of stables. Here also the first elections w7ere
conducted after Missouri emerged from her territorial condition.
Loutre Lick was a favorite ground for the holding of celebrations,
barbecues, etc.

Not long after settling here Maj. Van Bibber attempted to make
salt from the saline water of the lick, but without satisfactory results.
All attempt at salt-making was abandoned. But the medicinal virtues
of the spring came forward for recognition, and it was in olden times,
as it is to-day, that the waters of Loutre Lick had an enviable repu¬
tation for the cure of certain stomachic and bowel diseases, as well as
certain kidney affections.

Old Daniel Boone came frequently to visit Van Bibber, and re-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

779

mained here for weeks at a time drinking the water of the lick, which
he believed was of much benefit in curing him of a kidney trouble.

Maj. Van Bibber died in 1836 ; his wife some time previously. Old
Thomas Massey and wife died at the residence of their son-in-law,
Hugh Logan, on Bear creek, about 1820 or 1821 (according to Alex.
Graham). They were buried on the south side of the lick, nearly half
a mile from Sallee’s branch.

A store was opened at Loutre Lick by Charles Drury in about 1830.
It stood on the north side of Sallee’s branch, nearly opposite the lick
and just under the hill. In 1834 Mr. Drury removed this store to
Danville. It - is said that other stores were here from time to time.
Dan Robinson had one here at a very early day.

The village of Mineola was laid out on the site of Loutre Lick in the
year 1879 by H. E. Scanland, the owner of the land, and named for
Mineola, Tex. The surveying was done by J. C. McClearey. It was
the intention of Mr. Scanland to make of it not only a trading and
milling point, but a place of resort for invalids who should come to
drink of the medicinal spring and spend a season of recreation and
rest. The first house in the place was built by JohnR. Pate in April,
1880, and stands on the side of the hill north of the Boone’s Lick road
and 150 yards east of the Loutre. Dr. D. B. Huddleston’s house,
south of the branch, came next.

In 1879, however, Thomas Johnson had a temporary saw mill south
of the present steam mill, and Mr. Wilson had a blacksmith’s shop ;
the latter is still in operation, but the former has been removed.

In the summer of 1880 the spring, or lick, was improved by being
cleaned out and dug into the character of a well, and was enclosed and
a building erected over it. G. W. Taylor opened a stock of goods in
the spring building soon after its completion. The post-office was
established in the fall of 1880, and G. W. Taylor was (and now is)
the postmaster.

In July, 1882, the fine steam saw mill and grist mill was begun,
and completed in the spring of 1883. The proprietors were J. W.
Windsor and Charles Woodruff. It has three run of buhrs, and is
new and complete in all of its appointments.

The first stone building proper in the place was built by W. A. Kel-
sick and J. W. Windsor in June, 1883.

The village now (1884) contains two stores, the mill, a blacksmith
shop, a wagon shop, a wine and beer saloon and a dozen dwelling-
houses. A daily hack line runs to Montgomery City. At present
there is no bridge across Loutre, but the county court has ordered the
letting of a contract to build a first-class iron bridge over the stream.

780

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JAMES R. APPLING

(Sheriff of Montgomery County, Danville).

Some philosopher has said that poets and hotel-keepers are born,
not made ; the laconist should have included sheriffs also, for no man
can ever be a sheriff without the born qualities of a sheriff, and every
one who meets Mr. Appling will recognize this fact in him at a glance.
No man in the county is personally more popular, nor justly so. For
a number of vears he was a successful school teacher of the countv,
and while teaching he became generally acquainted with the people
in different localities. Indeed, so favorable an impression had he
made that, in 1882, he was warmly urged to run for the office of sheriff.
Finally consenting, he made the race and was elected by over 300 ma¬
jority. In office he has had still better opportunities to meet the people
of the county. Mr. Appling was born and reared in this county. His
primal birthday was the 29th of July, 1852, and his parents were
Thomas and Louisa (Broughton) Appling, both still residing on their
homestead in this county, south of Wellsville, highly esteemed resi¬
dents and neighbors in that part of the county. They reared but two
children, the other being a daughter. Miss Emma, now a young lady
at home with her parents. Reared on the farm, Mr. Appling attended
the district school of the neighborhood and succeeded in obtaining a
good common-school education. At the age of 20 he began teaching
school himself, and continued that as his regular occupation
for some ten years, or until his election to the office of sheriff in 1882.
He taught for five years in one district and three years in his home
district, facts which show how well he was appreciated as a teacher
by those who had an opportunity to judge of his qualifications and
efficiency. During much of this time he was engaged in farming in
the summer, or when not occupied in the school-room. On the
28th of September, 1876, he was married to Miss Emma, a refined
and estimable daughter of William Newlee, Esq., of the vicinity of
Wellsville. Mr. and Mrs. A. have three children : Bertha Madge,
Allison and Jua. Mr. Appling is a member of the Masonic order.

JUDGE ROBERT BROWER

(Farmer and Judge of the County Court, Post-office, Danville).

Judge Brower is a worthy representative of an old and honored
Knickerbocker family of New York. The founder of the family in
this country settled on Manhattan island from Holland, when the Em-
pire State was a Dutch colony. Judge Brower’s father, Nicholas B.
Brower, was a prominent merchant of New York for over 50 years.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

781

He was married twice, first to Miss Ruth Prince, by whom there is
but one child living, a son, Edgar; to his second wife he was mar¬
ried in 1816. She was a Miss Sallie Hurlbut. There were six chil¬
dren by this union, five sons and a daughter, all of whom are living,
namely: Hurlbut, a leading farmer of Woodbury county, la. ; Cece¬
lia, the wife of George M. Hollister, of Grand Rapids, Mich. ; Nicho¬
las B., Jr., an attorney and editor at Hannibal, Oswego county, N.
Y. ; Jacob., who was a gallant soldier in the Union army during the
late war, having been severely wounded, and is now a resident' of
Montgomery county, Mo. ; Judge Robert Brower, the subject of this
sketch; and Putnam, now of Bridgeport, Conn. Judge Robert
Brower was born in New York City, in 1825, and was about 10 years
of age when his father died. On account of this misfortune he was
soon afterwards thrown upon his own resources. Obtaining a situa¬
tion in a store, he clerked for a time, and was afterwards employed at
farm labor in the country. He worked at this until he attained his
majority, and he also learned the carpenter’s trade. Following car¬
pentering in New York as his principal occupation until 1868, he then
removed to Missouri. Here he settled in Montgomery county, where
he bought land and engaged in farming, which he has followed con-
tinuously ever since, and with good success. Judge Brower is one of
the better class of farmers of the county, and, withal, he is a man
of sterling character and marked popularity and influence. In 1882
he was nominated and elected to the office of judge of the county
court, a position he is now filling. He has made an efficient and
conscientious judge, and his official record meets with general appro¬
val. In 1848 Judge Brower was married to Miss Henrietta Church,
a daughter of Ozias S. Church, of New York, and sister of Hon.
Sanford E. Church, the distinguished jurist of that State, and the
late able Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of New
York. Judge and Mrs. Brower have four children: Robert, Jr.,
who is married and resides on the farm with his father ; Sandford
C., clerk of the Carroll House, at Clarksville, Mo. ; Ozias P., still
a resident of Montgomery county, and at home with his parents ;
Emily P., the wife of Russell B. Dill, a prominent architect of Anna,
Ohio. Judge Brower’s grandparents on his father’s side lived to
the advanced ages, respectively, of 98 and 96 years.

SILAS CARR

(Recorder of Deeds of Montgomery county; residence, Jonesburg).

Among the public men of this State, and indeed to not a few be¬
yond its limits, the record of Mr. Carr in the public service is well
and favorably known. Without advantages or opportunities more
favorable than those of the generality of men, in fact from circumstances
far less favorable than those of most others, he has risen to a position
of creditable prominence and influence in public affairs. Mr. Carr’s
early school training was quite limited, for he was one of a large
family of children left orphans by the death of their father, and with

782

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

but little or no means to help them along in life. Possessed, how¬
ever, of clear, quick intelligence and of much force of character, com¬
bined with a worthy purpose to accomplish something for himself, by
his own energy and his self-application to study during such leisure
as he had, he succeeded in obtaining a sufficient knowledge of books
for all practical business purposes. When a young man 21 years of
age he was married, Miss Mary J. Connor, of Lincoln county, becom¬
ing his wife. Just beginning by this time to get something of a start,
he now had the additional responsibility of a family to care and pro¬
vide for. He had previously learned the tobacco business, having
entered a factory at the age of 16. About the time of his marriage he
engaged in business at Flint Hill, and two vears later went to St.
Louis, where he became a partner with S. W. Logan in the general
commission business. This was continued until 1864, or until Price’s
raid into the State so unsettled affairs that it was deemed advisable to
close out the business. Mr. Carr then returned to Wentzville, in the
vicinity of which he had been reared, where he now engaged in the
tobacco business. Four years later he removed to Jonesburg, in
Montgomery county. In 1870 he was a candidate for the office of
sergeant-at-arms in the Missouri House of Representatives, and re¬
ceived a highly complimentary support by members of the Legislature
from different parts of the State, but was defeated for the nomination
by “ Col.” J. D. Crafton, much to the regret of the House itself (as
subsequents events proved), and, indeed, to the shame of the State.
Mr. Carr, after his defeat, resumed his business at Jonesburg, which
he continued until 1873, when he was appointed postmaster to the
House of Representatives at Jefferson City, a position he filled for
two sessions. The impression he made on the public men of the
State at Jefferson Citv, when he was a candidate for sergeant-at-
arms, was most favorable, and afterwards his mingling with them
at the State capital for two terms of the Legislature fully confirmed
them in the impression they had formed of his character. A man
of sterling intelligence, unquestioned integrity and honesty of pur¬
pose, and of pleasant, agreeable manners, respectful and courteous
to all, though always dignified and self-respecting, he became one
of the popular men about the State capital. Such, indeed, was the
consideration with which he came to be regarded and the personal
esteem in which he was held, that shortly after the expiration of his
term as postmaster and on the meeting of the Constitutional Conven¬
tion of 1875, he was elected bv the Convention to the office of
sergeant-at-arms of that body. This position he filled with efficiency
and to the entire satisfaction of the Convention. Mr. Carr, a con¬
scientious and ardent Democrat, has always taken a public-spirited
interest in political affairs. He has been quite active in Montgomery
county in assisting to advance the interest of his party ever since he
has been a citizen of the county. Not often a candidate himself, his
efforts have been mainly directed to securing good men for the
various positions to be filled. In this way he has rendered valu¬
able service to different friends — men who appreciate the assistance

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

783

he has rendered them. Among others he has been a warm supporter
of Judge A. H. Buckner for Congress, and has frequently contributed
materially to his election. It is therefore but natural that when in
the winter of 1875-76 Mr. Carr was urged to become a candidate for
assistant door-keeper of the United States House of Representatives
at Washington City, Judge Buckner should warmly support his can¬
didacy, a support that was gladly given, and which resulted in
securing Mr. Carr the position. He was successively reappointed to
that office for three terms, and held it until he voluntarilv resigned
it in order to give his attention to other interests. In 1882 Mr. Carr
was a candidate for the office of Postmaster of the United States House
of Representatives, but was defeated by a combination of candidates
against him. On the death of R. L. Whitehead, Esq., recorder of
Montgomery county, Mr. Carr was appointed to fill out his unexpired
term by the Governor, the appointment being dated February 20,
1883. The duties of this office he is now discharging. It is no empty,
unmeaning compliment to say that the duties of every position he has
ever held, he has discharged with marked fidelity and efficiency. So,
he has made a capable a popular county recorder, and there is no
doubt that his administration of this office meets with general approval.
Looking back over his career in public life, it must be manifest to the
most casual observer that no one of mean ability or little force of
character could achieve what he has accomplished. Mr. and Mrs.
Carr have been blessed with a large family of children, 13 in all, nine
of whom (the living) are still at home, except the eldest, William S.,
who is engaged in the tobacco business at St. Lonis. The others are :
Julia I., lone B., Aylett Buckner, George S., M. E., Silas W.,
Charles C. and Houston W. Four are deceased. Mr. Carr is a
prominent member of the Masonic order, and his wife is a member of
the M. E. Church South. Mr. Carr is a Virginian by nativity, born
in Halifax county, September 29, 1839, and the youngest of a family
of 13 children of Thomas and Sarah Carr, who came to Missouri in
1844, and settled in Warren county, where the father died the follow¬
ing year. The mother died December 17, 1871, in Wentzville. Four
of their family of children are living : Dudley, in Virginia ; John P.,
at Wentzville ; Joel E., also at Wentzville, and Silas.

ALFRED DAVAULT

(Farmer and ex-Sheriff, Post-office, New Florence).

Mr. Davault was a son of Peter and Mary (Hoss) Davault, early set¬
tlers and old and highly respected residents of this county, formerly of
Tennessee, who removed to Montgomery county, in about 1828. A
historical sketch of this family appears elsewhere in the present work.
Alfred Davault was the fifth in a family of nine children, five sons
and four daughters, and was born on the family homestead in this
county, near New Florence, April 14, 1842. The others of the
family are Henry, Abraham, Catherine, deceased, late wife of David
Frederick Knox ; Frederick, John, Emma Louisa, now the wife of

784

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Charles Bast, and Mary V., who died at the age of eight. Alfred
was raised oil the farm, and received a good common-school education.
He was actively engaged in farming until 1870, when he was appointed
deputy sheriff and collector under David Knox. Two years later
he was re-appointed in the same office, bv George *W. Gregory,
sheriff. In 1874 he was himself elected to that office, and was re¬
elected in 1876, serving two consecutive terms, or for a period of
four years. Meanwhile, in 1867, he was married to Miss Corrinna
McNeiley, a daughter of Rev. L. T. McNeiley, a minister of the M. E.
Church. Mr. Davault’ s first wife died November 11, 1881. His
present wife was a Miss Lizzie Gardner before her marriage. She
was a daughter of P. M. Gardner of this county. They have one
child, now in infancy. Mr. Davault, after the close of his second
term in office as sheriff and collector, returned to his farm, where he
resumed farming and raising stock. His farm Contains 135 acres and
is neatly improved, a part of the old Davault homestead. He and
wife are members of the M. E. Church South.

WILLIAM ELLIOTT (Fere) and BENJ. A. ELLIOTT (Fils)

(Farmers, Post-office, Mineola).

In the paternal line of their ancestry the subjects of the present
sketch are of Irish descent, the grandparents of William Elliott on his
father’s side having settled in Virginia from the Emerald Isle prior to
the Revolution. From them came William Elliott, Sr., who, after he
grew up, married Polly Cundiff, in Virginia, and of this union, Will¬
iam Elliott, Jr., the senior subject of this sketch, was born in Bedford
county, February 14, 1817. He was the younger of two children
and was principally reared in Howard county, Mo. While yet a young
man and single, he came to Montgomery county to make his home in
the vicinity in which he now resides. He was a carpenter by occupa¬
tion, and followed that in Howard county and after coming to this
county for some years. For years past, however, he has been en¬
gaged in farming, and resides on a comfortable homestead of 120
acres, which he owns and has long been his permanent home. In the
spring of 1848 he was married in this county to Miss Susana Hudnall,
a daughter of William Hudnall. Mr. and Mrs. E. have had two chil¬
dren, one of whom died whilst still young, Martha E. ; the other,
Benjamin A., resides on the farm with his parents, and is engaged in
farming. However, he follows teaching during the winter months,
giving his attention to the farm during the summer. He has been en-

CJ o o

gaged in teaching for 15 years, and has a wide and enviable reputation
as a teacher. He was born on the farm January 22, 1849, and re¬
ceived an excellent general education, largely by his own efforts and
by self-application to study outside of the school-room. The mother,
Mrs. Elliott, has been dead for many years. She died March 13,
1853. She was a most estimable and excellent lady, and the place
he occupied in the home and hearts of her loved ones is filled only by
he memory of her exemplary, devoted and good life.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

785

JAMES C. FORD, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, New Florence).

In presenting in this work brief biographical sketches of the prom¬
inent citizens of Montgomery county, among these, in the medical
profession, is very properly given a short sketch of the life of Dr.
Ford, and of his identification with the county, both as a physician
and surgeon. Dr. Ford’s parents came from Virginia to Missouri in
1838, and located first at New London, in Ralls county, where the
Doctor was born March 11, of the following year. The family was
from Campbell county, Va., and the father, William C. Ford, a son
of Hezekiah Ford, of the same county, was a blacksmith by trade.
The mother, also born and reared in Campbell county, was a Miss
Martha A. Epperson before her marriage. The family resided at
New London only a short time and then came to Montgomery county,
settling eight miles south-west of Danville, where the father combined
farming with blacksmithing. Years afterwards they removed to the
town of Danville, and some years ago to New Florence, where the
father died in the fall of 1883. He was an industrious, energetic
man, and did a good part by his children while bringing them up.
Dr. Ford had the benefit of a course in the common schools, and also at¬
tended a select school kept at Danville, where he made some progress in
the higher branches. In 1855 he began the study of medicine under
Dr. G. R. Milton, a well known and successful physician of that
place. Two years later he entered the medical college at St. Louis,
and after a regular course of two terms graduated from the Missouri
Medical College in the class of ’59. After his graduation Dr. Ford

... c3

located at Quincy, in Hickory county, where he remained engaged in
the practice of medicine until the outbreak of the war. He then
promptly enlisted in the Confederate service, and was made captain
of Co. D, Robinson’s battalion of Rain’s division. Later along his
services were needed as an armv surgeon, and he was assigned to dutv
as assistant surgeon of the Tenth Missouri infantry, a position he
filled until the close of the war, or until the final surrender at Shreve¬
port, La., in the spring of 1865. But he nevertheless combined the
qualities of a soldier with those of a surgeon, and was always in front
with a musket during an engagement, when not engaged with the
wounded. On account of his fighting qualities and bravery, he be¬
came known in the army as the “ Fighting Doctor of the Tenth Mis¬
souri,” as is learned from old comrades of his. After the war he
returned to Montgomery county, and located at New Florence in the
practice of his profession. He has since been continuously engaged
in the practice at this place. Dr. Ford is the leading physician of
New Florence, and is one of its substantial property holders, having
had good success in property matters, as well as in the treatment of
his patients. After his return in 1865 he was married at New Flor¬
ence to Miss Ellen M. Tull, a daughter of James W. Tull, of this
county. They have two children, Jessie M. and Harry T.

786

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THOMAS H. FORD

(Dealer in' Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Wall Paper, Notions, etc., etc.,

New Florence').

Mr. Ford was the next younger son after Dr. James C. Ford, whose
sketch precedes this, of William and Martha A. (Epperson) Ford,
formerly of Danville, this count}', who came to Missouri from Camp¬
bell county, Va., in 1838. Thomas H. Ford was born near Danville
October 9, 1840, and was reared in the town of Danville, to which his
father removed when Thomas H. was about five years of age. He
received a commercial school education, and learned the blacksmith’s
trade under his father, with whom he worked until the outbreak of
the war. He then enlisted in the Union service, becoming a member
of Co. C, Ninth Missouri cavalry, under Gen. Odon Guitar. He was
in the service for three years. Mr. Ford engaged in his present busi¬
ness at New Florence in 1869. In this same line of business for the
last 15 years, by close attention and fair dealing, he has become thor¬
oughly established as one of the representative, responsible business
men of New Florence. He is a druggist with whom the public like to
deal, and physicians generally patronize him on account of his care
and accuracy in compounding prescriptions. Mr. Ford owns the
business house he occupies, and has the additional advantage in the
trade of having no rent to pay. He also has a comfortable residence
property in the county. On June 18, 1873, Mr. Ford was married to
Miss Mary H., a daughter of Joseph F. Webb, formerly of Indiana.
She died, however, about five years afterwards, June 15, 1878. He
has not since remarried. His father made his home with him until
the former’s death in 1884. Mr. Ford is a member of the Presbyter¬
ian Church.

JOHN FRAZIER,

(The Oldest Living Resident of the County, New Florence).

Grandfather Frazier, for so he is called by all who know him, will
shortly complete his eighty-fourth year, and was reared in St. Charles
county when that county included the present county of Montgomery
and a number of other neighboring counties. He has been a con-
tinuous resident of the territory now included in Montgomery county
since prior to the organization of this county, which was affected in
1837. He is therefore justly and properly known and recognized as
one of the fathers of the countv. In recognition of this fact the Old
Settler’s Association of the county at one of the meetings a short time
ago voted and donated him an easv chair, which he now uses. Grand-
father Frazier was a child only in his third year when his parents,
James and Jane (Anderson) Frazier, came to this part of what was
then known as Upper Louisiana territory, early in 1804. They were
from what is now Kentucky, and near the mouth of the Little Sandy ;
and on coming to what is now Missouri they settled in the Missouri

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

river bottom, about 30 miles above the town site of St. Charles. For
a number of years the nearest trading point for Mr. Frazier’s father
was St. Charles. As he grew up he often met Daniel Boone and his
fellow pioneers, and remembers the old Indian fighter and path-finder
of civilization very distinctly. Mr. Frazier’s parents reared a family
of 12 children, namely: Sallie, Betsy, David, James, Polly,
John, Jane, Thomas, William, Abagail, Martin and Caty, all of
whom married and themselves became the heads of families.
The subject of this sketch was the sixth in the family of children, and
was born at his father’s homestead in Kentucky, about a mile above
the mouth of the Little Sandy, on the 20th of February, 1801. After
he grew up in this new country of Missouri, he was married February
21, 1822, to Miss Mary Shirk, of St. Charles county, a daughter of
John Shirk, from Virginia. She died in about 1837, leaving six chil¬
dren : David, James, Anthony, Martha, Mary and Amanda. Mr.
Frazier’s second wife was a Miss Sallie T. Hall, who survived until
1878, dying on the 4th of July of that year. There were no children
by this union. Mr. Frazier followed farming almost continuously
through life up to his retirement from active work some years ago.
He came to Montgomery county in 1870. A participant in the great
work of building up the country, he is familiar with many of the lead¬
ing events, and relates many interesting incidents worthy of a place
in history, but mention of these is made elsewhere. He now finds a
welcome and pleasant home in his old age in the household of his
nephew (by marriage with his last wife), Mr. Benjamin E. Wilson, a
sketch of whom appears on another page. Considering his advanced
age and the hardships of his early life, he is well preserved both in
mental vigor and bodily strength and activity. He is one of the last
old landmarks of the early history of the country who remain.

ROBERT G. GOODRICH

(Farmer, Post-office, Big Spring).

Mr. Goodrich is a native of Virginia, born in Amherst county, No¬
vember 16, 1827. His father was Gideon C. Goodrich, and his
mother Elizabeth Carter, before her marriage, he born August 27,
1785, and she March 14, 1793. They were married in Virginia in
1809, and had a family of ten children, eight of whom lived to reach
years of maturity. However, in 1830 the family came to Missouri
and settled in Callaway county, but later along they removed to
Monroe county, where the parents made their permanent home. The
father died there in 1835; the mother in Danville, Mo., in 1859.
Robert G. was partly reared in Monroe county, and after the death of
his father had very limited advantages for an education, — his whole
term of tuition, in fact, not exceeding 12 months. He early became
a farmer on his own account, and was activelv en^asred in farming
until after the war broke out. During the second year of the war he
enlisted in the Union army, or, rather, in the State militia, becoming
a member of Judge Lovelace’s company, Co. D, afterwards com-

788

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

manded by Capt. Kelley. In 1865 he became a member of a provis¬
ional regiment, in which he served until the close of the war. After
this Mr. Goodrich resumed fanning, and also followed carpentering, a
trade he had learned prior to the war. In 1851 he was married to
Miss Margaret Hart, of Montgomery county, and he then settled on
the farm where he now resides. He has a neat place and is a farmer
of industry and energy. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich have been blessed
with a numerous family of children, 14 in all, 11 of whom are living.
He and wife are members of the Christian Church. The children of
their family are as follows: Hugh G., born September 29, 1852,
and now in the milling business at Jonesburg; Annie E., born De¬
cember 9, 1854, and now the wife of John W. Pratt, a farmer of
Pike county; Junius, born April 17, 1857, now engaged in milling
at Readsville, in Callaway county ; Emma, born February 16, 1859,
a popular teacher of this county ; Mary, born May 24, 1861, also
an accomplished teacher; Abram C., born May 2, 1863; Nellie,
born August 10, 1865 ; James L., born October 2, 1867 ; Ida, born
November 2, 1869; Thomson W., born February 13, 1876; and
Samuel B., born March 10, 1878. The daughters, who have grown up,
are all young ladies of excellent educations, and the eldest daughter,
now Mrs. Pratt, was a successful teacher for some nine or ten years
before her marriage. Hugh G. was also a popular teacher for several
years before going into the milling business. Mr. Goodrich’s brother,
Martin P., was an officer in the old Missouri militia before the war.
He rose to the rank of captain, then to that of major and finally to
the command of his regiment. Another brother, Abram, is a well
known and eloquent minister of the Baptist Church in Texas.

D. F. GRAHAM

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Mineola).

Mr. Graham, one of the leading agriculturists and land-holders of
Danville township and one of its highly respected and influential citi¬
zens, is a son of Dr. Robert Graham, a well known, prominent and
honored old pioneer settler of the county. The Graham family of
which Mr. Graham is a representative came originally from Scotland,
and were of the better class of intelligent, well-to-do people in that
country. Mr. Graham’s grandparents came direct from the song-
famed valley of the Doon, in Scotland, to North Carolina, where they
settled and reared their family. Being in comfortable circumstances
when they came to America, they also prospered in this country,
after the manner of the substantial comforts of those days. Mr.
Graham’s father, Dr. Robert Graham, born in North Carolina, grew
up on his father’s farm in that State and received an excellent general
education, both from a private tutor and by the instruction of his
father. He early discovered a taste for the medical profession and
decided to devote himself to it. He read medicine under a promi¬
nent physician in North Carolina and in due time became a regular
licentiate in the practice. With a natural taste and aptitude for the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

789

profession, his zeal as a student and his close attention to the prac¬
tice soon gave him a prominent position among the physicians of the
country. Dr. Graham became a physician from a love of the science
of medicine and from a high sense of duty to suffering humanity, and
it is a fact known by all who know anything of his career as a physi¬
cian that never, in an extensive and arduous practice that lasted for a
lifetime, did he charge a single cent for his services. He was married
in Kentucky, where he had removed in young manhood, and as early
as 1816, away back in the territorial and wilderness days of this part
of the country, he cast his fortunes with those of Missouri and made
his home in what is now Montgomery county. His nearest neighbor
is said to have been at St. Charles on the east, and on the west the
nearest one was at Columbia. The nearest neighbor south was one
mile, at old Loutre Lick; the next at Loutre Island, a distance of 18
miles. The nearest mill was at the first-named place, a distance of
70 miles. He had resided in Kentucky some years before coming to
Missouri. He died here in 1855 at a ripe old age, widely and pro¬
foundly mourned, for he was well known far and wide, and as highly
esteemed as he was well known. His wife was a Miss Isabel Galbreath
before her marriage, whose parents were also from Scotland to North
Carolina. She survived her husband ten years, one of the worthy,
highly respected old pioneer mothers of the county. She was an
earnest and faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church from
early life. They left a large estate, including over 2,500 acres of land
and considerable other property. There were eleven children in the
family, namely: John G., Alexander W., James W., Benjamin R.,
Robert D., Franklin D., Doctor F., Patrick H., Mariam, Catherine,
who married I. V. Boon, and Florann. The subject of this sketch,
D. F. Graham, was born ten years after the settlement of his parents
in Montgomery county, and on the farm on which he now resides, the
date being July 16, 1826. Good schools have been kept at Danville
from an early period, and young Graham had the benefit of instruc¬
tion in these. His tastes have been agricultural from boyhood, and
farming and handling stock early became his fixed pursuit. These he
has ever since followed with industry and enterprise and with good
success. Mr. Graham has not only become a worthy representative
of the better and more intelligent class of citizens of the county,
but one of its thorough-going, progressive agriculturists. He has a
fine place of 1,360 acres, a large part of which is well improved.
This land has passed through the hands of two grantees, or rather
it has been transferred but twice — first, by the Spanish government
to Nathan and Daniel H. Boone, sons of the old hero-pioneer, and
from them to Dr. Graham, from whom it was inherited by the latter’s
son, D. F. March 20, 1860, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Susan
R. White, a daughter of Benjamin White, another early settler and
esteemed citizen of the county, who came originally from Maryland.
Mr. and Mrs. G. have three children: Susan W., Mary F. and Ben
R. The eldest is the wife of R. A. Baker, of this county. Mrs. G.

790

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

is a sister to Ben White, Esq., of Danville, treasurer of Montgomery
countv.

ALEXANDER W. GRAHAM (Pere), and WILLIAM A.

GRAHAM (Fils)

(Farmers ancl Stock-raisers, Post-office, Mineola).

Something of an outline of the history of the Graham family, or
the branch of it to which the subjects of this sketch belong, has beeu
given in the sketch of D. F. Graham, a brother to Alex. W., which
precedes this. Dr. Graham, the founder of the family in this county,
in addition to being a prominent agriculturist and landholder and a
successful physician, was to some extent identified with the official
affairs of the county. He was for a number of years a judge of the
county court, and held other positions of public trust. His large
landed estate was the product of his own industry and good manage¬
ment. First, buying a tract of 300 acres, he added to his original
tract until his estate numbered 2,500 acres. As shown above, Alex¬
ander W. Graham was the third in his father’s family of children.
He was born while his parents were residents of Christian county,
Ky. (where indeed, they met and were married), his natal day
being the 6th of January, 1813. He was therefore three years of age
when the family came to Montgomery county, Mo., in which he was
reared, and, like his brother, D. F., has made this his permanent
home. On the 10th of October, 1849, he was married to Miss
Martha E. Crane, a daughter of George W. Crane, an early settler of
the county. They have become the parents of five children, one of
whom is deceased, Robert L. ; the others are William A., Annabel,
who is the wife of George H. Jones, Catherine M., the wife of
Thomas Vaughn, and one other. Mr. Graham has been largely en¬
gaged in farming and stock raising in this count}7 for years. He has
a fine tract of 1,500 acres of land, all improved, one of the largest
and best farms in the county, and is now living in quasi retirement on his
farm, having his lands largely rented, but yet reserving a considera¬
ble body for farming purposes under bis own management. Mr.
Graham had the misfortune to lose his wife, in 1880, who died on the
10th of April. She had been a devout member of the Primitive Baptist
Church for many years, and was one of the best of women, a devoted
wife, loving mother, kind neighbor and Christian lady. Mr. G.,
himself, is a member of the same church of which his wife was so
long an exemplary member.

William A. Graham, the eldest and onlv li vino: son of Alexander
W. Graham, was born on his father’s homestead December 22, 1856,
and was reared on the farm. His father being a man who appreciated
the value and importance of a good education, gave his children ex¬
cellent school advantages. William A., after a course of preparatory
instruction in the common and intermediate schools, was matriculated
at William Jewell College, where he became proficient in the higher
branches. On the 26th of December, 1877, he was married to Miss

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 791

Epsie McGee, a daughter of Robert McGee of Montgomery City, but
formerly of St. Louis. Mrs. Graham was principally educated at
Montgomery City. They have three children, Emily, Martha and
Robert Alexander. Mr. Graham, who has followed in the footsteps
of his father and become a farmer and stock raiser, has an excellent
farm of 460 acres, a part of his father’s old homestead. He makes
something of a specialty of shipping and feeding stock, and has been quite
successful in this branch of industry. Mrs. G. is a member of the M.
E. Church. Socially and otherwise they rank with the best people of
Danville township, and are highly esteemed wherever they are known.

GEORGE W. GREGORY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, and Ex-Sheriff, Post-office, Danville).

Born and reared in Montgomery county, Mr. Gregory has spent
his whole life thus far within its borders, excepting one or two
temporary absences. Now one of the substantial farmers of the
county and one of its highly respected and influential citizens, he
commenced life, however, for himself when a young man, practically
without a penny. For 17 years he worked at the blacksmith’s trade.
He has a fine farm of over 400 acres, and is comfortably situated.
In 1878 he was nominated and elected to the office of sheriff, to which
he was re-elected, holding it four years. Mr. Gregory was a son of
John and Elizabeth (Fuqua) Gregory, who came to this county from
Virginia in about 1831. His father had been a gallant old soldier of
the War of 1812, and was much esteemed bv all who knew him. He
was a farmer by occupation, and he and his wife were exemplary mem¬
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church. George W. was born July
4, 1834, and was the youngest of a family of eight children. He
early learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed for nearly a
score of years, as stated above. February 24, 1864, he was married
to Miss Manr A. White, daughter of Benjamin White, a pioneer
settler of the county. Mr. and Mrs. G. have seven children, namely:
Susan E., Anna P., Ben L., Georgia, Nellie, Stanley and Cecil. Du¬
ring the war Mr. Gregory served two years in the Confederate army.
He takes an earnest and active interest in everything in his vicinity
calculated to promote the oeneral good, either material or otherwise.
He is a prominent member of the A. F. & A. M., and of the I.O.O.F.
He is a Democrat in politics.

RICHARD F. GREGORY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Prairie Fork).

The Gregory family is one of the oldest in history, and may be
traced back through consecutive generations to almost the beginning
of the Christian era. The earliest representative of the family of whom
we have any account is Thuamaturgus Gregory, a convert of Origen
and distinguished by his writings and marvelous power in the conver¬
sion of the heathen. He died about A. D. 270. From him there is a

792

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

long line of the family name, branches of which spread out into
nearly every known country. Perhaps the most famous branch of
the family is the Scotch branch, members of which have become
eminent in almost every department of thought and human activity.
This branch descends from James Gregory, born in 1639, minister of
Drumoack, in Aberdeenshire. He died at the early age of 36, but
already had become a man of world-wide reputation as a scholar,
philosopher and scientist. There are some eight or ten others of the
Scotch branch who have become hardly less distinguished than their

eminent predecessor. Several of the family have become prominent
in this country. Mr. Gregory, the subject of this sketch, descends
from the Scotch branch of the family, a representative of which early
settled in the colony of Virginia. His father was William Gregory,
a native of Virginia, and he himself was born in that State, July 12,
1819. His mother was a Miss Nancy Fuqua before her marriage, also
of an old Virginia family. She died in Virginia when Richard F. was
about two years of age. His father subsequently married Miss
Nancy Robinson, of Virginia. He came to this State in 1835 and
settled in Callaway county. He became a successful farmer of that
county and resided there nearly 25 years, or until his death, in
1859. Richard F. Gregory, the subject of this sketch, was the
third in his father’s first family of four children, and there were
also four in the second family of children. He was 16 years of age
when his father came to Missouri, and he completed his ephebiage
in Callaway county, being brought up to farm life. On attaining
his manhood he soon began to farm for himself, and continued
in Callaway county engaged in farming until after his marriage,
except while absent on the Pacific coast. In 1849 he went to Cali¬
fornia and followed min ins: out there with measurable success for
about five years. Returning in 1854, on the 26th of February, three
years afterwards, he was married to Miss Rachel, a daughter of
James and Nancy Oliver, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. Gregory set¬
tled on the land on which he now resides in 1858. He has been
satisfactorily successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and has a valu-
able stock farm of 500 acres. Mr. and Mrs. G. have reared five
children: James W., Hattie M., Anna, now a student at the State
University; Bella, a student at Christian College, Columbia; and
Blanche, the youngest, who is with her parents at home. Mr. and
Mrs. G. have long been worthy members of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM L. GUPTON

(Clerk of the County Court, Danville).

Though a Kentuckian by nativity, Mr. Gupton was reared in Mont¬
gomery county, Mo., and this has continued to be his home from
childhood. His parents were Stephen and Mary (Miller) Gupton,
originally of the Blue Grass State, and he was born in the vicinity of
Campbellsville, Taylor county, on the 26th of January, 1853. During
the same year his parents came to Missouri and settled near Middle-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

793

town, in this county. Two years later they removed to Middletown
and made their permanent home in that place, or until after the
father’s death. He died, however, soon afterwards, in 1856. William
L. was the eldest of two children. The other, also a son, is now de¬
ceased, having died in boyhood. The mother, some years after her
husband’s death, became the wife of John W. James, Esq., now of
Wellsville, but they continued to reside at Middletown until 1873.
William L. Gupton was reared at Middletown, and educated in the
public schools of that place. At the age of 16, however, he quit and
entered a drug store as clerk, in which line of business he continued
to clerk until 1874. Having by economy succeeded in accumulating a
nucleus of means with which to begin business for himself, he became
a member of the firm of Ford & Co., of Danville, in which he re¬
mained until 1878, when he was elected to his present office of county
clerk. As a business man he was quite successful at Middletown,
considering the time he was engaged in business; and such was his
high standing, indeed, and the general esteem in which he was held,
that in 1878 he was solicited to become a candidate for his present
office. The result showed that his friends had not overestimated his
popularity. He was elected by a handsome majority, and duly in¬
stalled into office the following January. His duties in office were
faithfully and efficiently performed, and his private life, as ever be¬
fore, remained untarnished. Hence, at the expiration of his term, he.
was heartily indorsed by a flattering re-election. He is now serving
his second term in that office, and his popularity is steadily increasing
with the progress of his official experience. Mr. Gupton has just
cause to contemplate his career, from an orphan boy with his own
way to make in the world up to his present position, with a feeling of
no ordinary satisfaction. It is certainly a record of which he has no rea¬
son to feel ashamed. Mr. Gupton was united in marriage with Miss
Linnie White, a refined and accomplished daughter of ex-Sheriff A. H.
White, of this county. They were married June 19, 1884. Mrs.
Gupton is a lady of superior education and accomplishments, and was
for five years previous to her marriage a popular teacher in Mont-
gomerv and Franklin counties. She is a member of the M. E. Church
South. Mr. G. is a member of the Christian Church, and a promin¬
ent Odd Fellow. He is interested in banking at Wellsville, and is a
director in the savings bank at that place.

JUDGE WILLIAM E. HAEEIS

(Probate Judge of Montgomery County, Danville).

For nearly half a century, though not continuously, Judge Harris
has been identified with the public affairs of Montgomery county. He
was elected a member of the county court in 1850 for a term of four
years, and was thereafter re-elected for the next succeeding term,
giving him in all a service on the county bench of eight years. He
was then elected to represent the county in the Legislature, and was
again elected in 1860, his second term to have expired in 1862.

794

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Meanwhile the war had come on, and his sympathies w.ere with the
South, having been born and reared in Virginia. He was therefore
driven from the Legislature by means of the notorious “ Ousting
Ordinance,” and was heard from no more until after the war,
and until sometime after the dark shadow of disfranchisement it left
had passed away, having remained quietly on his farm. About the
close of the war, having been robbed and plundered of nearly every
thing he had in the world, and threatened time and again with death,
he left the country and went, in the spring of 1865, to Abingdon,
Knox county, Ill. Afterward, in 1866, he returned and went to work
to repair his losses. Industry and good management were not slow
in producing their usual results, substantial prosperity, and gradually
he has become again comfortably situated. In 1871 he was once more
called into the public service, and was elected to the Legislature to
fill out the unexpired term of Hon. A. M. Hammett, who died while
in office. He served in the session of 1871-72. In 1874 Judge Harris
wTas elected to the office of probate judge of the county, a position he
has ever since continued to hold by successive re-elections. Up to
1875 he resided on his farm, four miles south-west of Wellsville, an
excellent place of about 400 acres, now under the management of his
son, Jarrot. Since then he has been a resident of Danville. His suc¬
cess in life in accumulating a comfortable competency and in being
accorded by the general voice of the people the enviable position he
occupies in their esteem and confidence, as well as officially, is a suffi¬
cient index of the character of man he is, and, as is known to all who
are acquainted with the people of this county, he is one of its most
substantial and highly respected citizens. Judge Harris in early life
was a school teacher by profession, mainly self-educated, and taught
in all for over 20 years, but during much of that time was also en¬
gaged in farming and occupied with other affairs. As has been said,
he is a Virginian by nativity and bringing up. He was born at the
base of the Blue Ridge, in Albemarle county, on the 31st of Decem¬
ber, 1812, and was a son of Jarrot and Jane (Ramsey) Harris, both
of old and respected Virginia families, and of Welsh-English descent.
Reared in Virginia, he came to Missouri in 1838, his parents having
preceded him to this State the year before, and settled on Little
Loutre creek, about four miles from Wellsville. They died on their
homestead in that vicinity, his father at the age of 78, and his mother
aged 72. Judge Harris had taught school in Virginia for somie four
or five years before coming to Missouri. He resumed teaching n this
county, which he had followed in Virginia four or five years,
and subsequently taught in Ralls county for some time. He was
elected a judge of the county court in 1850, as stated above, and
about this time, or a short time before, he engaged in farming. Judge
Harris was married in 1852, on the 2d of March, to Miss Margaret N.
Bethel, of the vicinity of Glasgow, in Barren county, Ky. Their
union proved a long and happy one, but was at last broken, too soon
even then, on the 5th of December, 1881, when she breathed her last
at her home in Danville, in this county. Her loss was a heavy

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

795

bereavement to her devoted husband, whose attachment had grown
nearer and dearer through nearly 30 years of happy married life.
They reared a family of four children, namely : John B., a merchant
at Danville ; Jarrot, referred to above ; Joseph E., a practicing phy¬
sician at McCredie, Callaway county, and Thomas R., clerk of the
probate court at Danville. A physical characteristic of the family of
which Judge Harris is a representative is their stalwart manhood. His
father was six feet, six inches in height, and proportionally well built ;
a cousin was six feet, ten inches in height. He himself is six feet, two
inches, and his youngest son is six feet, five — worthy representatives
of physical manhood, truly, as they are otherwise.

ALFRED B. HUNTER

(Clerk of the Circuit Court of Montgomery county, Danville).

Mr. Hunter, the present popular and efficient circuit clerk of this
county, is a native of the county in which he still resides, and was
born near where Americus now stands, on the 27th of November,
1844. His parents were Baylis E. and Elizabeth E. Hunter, both
natives of this county, and were born and reared and both still re-
side on their homestead near Americus, the father being a sub-
stantial farmer of that vicinity. Alfred B. was reared on the farm,
and helped to open up the same in a dense wilderness, and as he
grew up had only limited advantages for an education afforded at
the log school houses of the period ; even at these, schools were
kept only now and then, without much certainty as to time or
duration, and of a very inferior quality at best. In short, young
Hunter had to rely mainly on his own exertions and self-application
for an education. But having a natural thirst for knowledge, he
improved all his leisure by private study (and often over the mid¬
night lamp), and succeeded in making such progress in the course
of a common English education that he became sufficiently quali¬
fied to teach school. Prior to teaching, however, he had spent
some time as clerk in a store at Portland, in Callaway county.
From that time up to the present he had had a varied experience,
which included clerking, teaching and farming — or, rather, up to
the time of his election to his present office. In 1867 he met with
a severe misfortune; he was stricken with a severe attack of inflam¬
matory rheumatism, from which he has since suffered very greatly,
and has never fully recovered ; he has been compelled to go on
crutches since then as many as seven different times, and at no
time less than six weeks, and some times as long as three months.
Several times, indeed, he has been almost entirely disabled for any
active business pursuit. A man of excellent business qualifications,
and full of energy, this has been a hardship to him of the greatest
severity. It has not only prevented him from accomplishing much
that he would otherwise have been able to do, but has been a con¬
stant source of regret to him, being as he is a man of spirit and enter¬
prise. Appreciating, however, his thorough fitness for the duties of

796

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the office of circuit clerk, in the fall of 1882, at a Democratic nominat¬
ing convention for county officers, his friends put him in nomination,
among others, before the convention, and was by that convention
made the nominee for circuit clerk, without his knowledge, consent, or
even a consultation upon the subject. His friends urged him to make
the race as a candidate for circuit clerk, which, after due delibera¬
tion, he consented to do. He was elected over his Republican oppo¬
nent, E. E. Sharp, Esq., who was then serving his first term as circuit
clerk, and deservedly popular, by a handsome majority. Some one
of the Sharp family had held this office (except two terms, or eight
years) continuously since the time when Missouri became a State, or,
perhaps, before ; so far back, indeed, that the memory of man hardly
runneth to the contrary ; and it was generally believed that no one had
popularity sufficient to take it out of the family, for each of them made
thoroughly capable, efficient and popular clerks. But Mr. Hunter
had every qualification they possessed, and, besides, was a good Dem¬
ocrat, which goes a long way to help a good man along among Chris¬
tian and God-fearing people. His term extends over a period of four
years, and he is now serving his second year in office. Being a capable
and efficient clerk, and personally popular, as well as being on the
side of the Lord’s people, politically, it requires no gift of prophecy
to foretell for him a long and successful career in this office. Mr.
Hunter is a man of family, having married on September 19, 1883,
when Miss Minerva J. Crockett became his wife. She was a native of
this county and a daughter of the late Dr. AAr. AY. Crockett, an es¬
teemed minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and also a
physician by profession.

FRANK H. KALLMEYER, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, New Florence).

Dr. Kallmeyer, a leading physician of the south-central part of the
county and one of the enterprising, public-spirited, active citizens of
New Florence, is a Missourian by nativity and life-long residence,
born and reared in St. Charles county. He was a son of John H.
and Mary C. (Bierbaum) Kallmeyer, both originally from Germany,
and was born November 8, 1855. His parents came to America in
1836 and settled on land near Femme Osage, in St. Charles county,
where the father improved a farm and subsequently engaged in mer¬
chandising. He became one of the successful, substantial farmers
and business men of that part of the county, and one of the well
known and highly respected citizens of the county. He reared a fam¬
ily of five children (four having died when young), and gave them good
school advantages. Dr. Kallmever took a general course at AYest-
minster College, where he became proficient in the higher branches.
Soon after quitting college he carried out a resolution previously enter¬
tained to study medicine, and entered upon the regular study of medi¬
cine, placing himself under the preceptorage of Dr. AY. S. McCall, a
prominent phvsician of Callawav countv. In due course of study he

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

797

was prepared to enter medical college, and in 1875 matriculated at
the St. Louis Medical College. He graduated from that well known
and able institution in the class of ’77, and at once thereafter located
at Best’s Bottom, in Montgomery county, were he engaged in the
active practice of medicine. The following fall, November 14, 1877,
he was married to Miss Francis K. Heying, a daughter of Frank Hey-
ing of Montgomery county. In 1883, Dr. Kallmeyer came to New
Florence, and made a permanent location at this place. His reputa¬
tion as a capable, skillful physician had preceded him here, and hence
the promptness with which the people of this place and vicinity have
generally engaged his services as a physician. Already he has a good
practice and one that is steadily, not to say rapidly, increasing. He
was largely instrumental in inaugurating the creamery enterprise at
this place and is superintendent and secretary of the company, being

also a liberal subscriber to its stock. The Doctor and Mrs. Kallmever

have three children ; Aubrey S., Ida and Ami R.

DAVID F. KNOX

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, New Florence).

Mr. Knox, a representative of one of the pioneer families of the
county, is at the same time a man who by his own exertions and
merits has placed himself among the leading, successful farmers and
representative, influential citizens of the county. He now owns some
1,300 acres, and has one of the choice stock-farms of the township, a
handsome place of some 400 acres, near New Florence. He has sev¬
eral times been called into the public service of the county and has held
the office of sheriff some six years. Indeed, there is, peyhaps, no one
in the count}^ more generally or favorably known, or whcJ|fiore unques¬
tionably has the confidence of the public. The general esteem in
which he is held is the result of his high character and usefulness as a
citizen, his many estimable qualities as a-ueighbor, and his well known
integrity and upright life. Mr. Knox was a son of William and Sarah
(Clark) Knox, both originally from Kentucky, his father a son of
David Knox, of Boyle county, that State, and his mother, a daughter
of Isaac Clark, an early settler in Montgomery county. His father
was born and reared in Kentucky, and came to Missouri when a young
man, locating in Montgomery county in 1818. He was married in
this county and reared a family of five children, of whom David F.
was the eldest. The others were Isaac H., Mary I. (Mrs. Dr. Stev¬
ens) William S. and David R. Their father became a successful
farmer of the county and one of its well known, highly respected citi¬
zens. David F. was born on the family homestead in this county,
October 29, 1826, and was reared there, receiving a good ordinary
common-school education. In 1858 he was married to Miss Catha¬
rine Davault, a daughter of Peter Davault, and a sister to Alfred
Davault, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. About
the time of his marriage Mr. Knox settled on the farm where he now
resides, and has continued in the occupation of a farmer which he

798

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

had previously and so successfully followed, and has also been engaged
in raising stock and in dealing in them to some extent for many years.
Mr. Knox’s homestead of 400 acres is well improved, and is one of
the valuable farms of the county- Besides this he has about 900 acres
of fine land in other tracts, a part of which is improved. As has
been said, he has held the office of sheriff and collector for three
terms. In 1856 he was elected over Mr. Oscar Brown, one of the pop¬
ular men of the county. Two years later he was re-elected. In 1870
he was again elected. When he ran in 1870 a large number of the
Democratic voters of the county were disfranchised, so that the
opposition to the Democracy had a large majority of those who were
permitted to vote ; but he was elected by a handsome majority, the
first anti-Radical sheriff of the county after the war. Mr. Knox
made a thoroughly efficient sheriff and retired from office even more
popular than when he accepted it. Mr. and Mrs. Knox reared four
children : Sarah I., William H., Mary L. and John U. He is a mem¬
ber of the M. E. Church South. His wife died in 1875.

FREDERICK LIONBERGER

(Farmer and Nurseryman, Post-office, New Florence) .

Mr. Lionberger, who was born and reared in Switzerland, came to
America with his brother, John U., now a prosperous farmer of Ne¬
braska, in 1868. They were the sons of Nicholas Lionberger and
wife, Anna Elizabeth nee Gammeter. Their father was a lieutenant
in the army of his native country. The two sons, Fred and John U.,
are the only ones of the family of three children now living. Fred¬
erick Lionberger was born in Switzerland, July 10, 1848, and was,
therefore, 20 years of age when he came to America. He first located
in Nebraska, where his brother had settled, but after a residence there
of seven years came to Montgomery county, Mo., in 1875. On the
14th of February, 1878, he was married to Miss Emma Bridges, and
they now have three children: John F., Albert M. and Henry H.
The same vear of his marriage Mr. Lionberger bought 60 acres of
land on which he made his home the following year. Here he has since
resided, engaged in farming, and he is also interested in the nursery
business. He and Mr. Gutmann are starting the Lionberger & Gut-
maun Nursery, with every prospect of success. Mr. Lionberger is a
man of sterling worth and with his perseverance can hardly fail of
becoming, in a few years, one of the successful and substantial prop¬
erty owners of the community.

RILEY H. MANSFIELD

(Attorney-at-Law, and Editor and Proprietor of the Optic, New Florence).

That early advantages may be made to contribute materially to
one’s advancement in life, to the giving of one's career a higher direc-
tion than it might otherwise take, — that, indeed, they are indispen¬
sable to the success of some men, is not and can not be for a moment

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

799

questioned. But that such is always the case no one of general intel¬
ligence or reasonable observation would think of claiming. Indeed,
judging by the lives of successful men, some have gone so far as to
claim that the best school for a youth of brave spirit and ambitious
mind is the school of adversity ; that only there can he learn those
lessons and develop those qualities of character, from those habits of
life, indispensable to a successful career. In proof of this the bright
array of eminent names that adorn the history of the country — chil¬
dren of poverty and obscurity — are cited. These thoughts and
others are called out by glancing over the notes from which the pres¬
ent sketch is written. Though Riley H. Mansfield, be it said, has
reached no eminent station in the affairs of State, he has nevertheless
accomplished much more than thousands of others have, whose ad-
van tages were the best — has achieved a degree of success which no
worthy sketch of his life should fail to mention to his credit. Nor is
he hardly yet a middle-aged man; hardly has he more than reached
that period when his greatest activity and usefulness may be expected
to be exercised. Much of his younger manhood was taken up with
preparing himself for life’s duties and labors ; and now he has but lit¬
tle more than entered upon that part of his career where he may ex¬
pect to realize the fruits of his earlier years of struggles and toil. In
youth he had, practically, no advantages whatever to prepare himself
for what he felt would be his position in life. For he was a young
man without a dollar, working for his own living and spending his
leisure of evenings learning “ the rule of three,” and endeavoring to
unravel the mysteries of an ordinary, common school, English gram¬
mar. But by his industry, steady habits, perseverance, sterling
worth and natural gifts of mind, he has steadily made his way up until
now many, who at first preceded him by years, are far in the rear.
Mr. Mansfield was born in Marion county, Tenn., December 5, 1842,
about 16 miles from Nashville. He was the third voungest in a fam-
ily of nine children of Robert and Nancy (Spear) Mansfield, his
father originally of North Carolina, but his mother of an old Virginia
familv. When Rilev H. was a lad about 9 years of age the familv re-
moved to Missouri, and settled in Madison county. As intimated
above, the father was a farmer by occupation, and young Mansfield’s
youth was spent on the farm assisting at farm work. Those were not
the days, either in Tennessee or Missouri, and especially in South¬
east Missouri, of the excellent class of public schools we have now,
and the instruction usually given fairly corresponded with the charac¬
ter and appearance of the old log school-house. Young Mansfield had
the advantage of one term at one of these schools, as he grew up.
Otherwise his education was limited to what he could secure by study
at home without an instructor. Nevertheless he succeeded in getting
something of a practical knowledge of the information afforded by
the books of a common-school course. During the first year of the
progress of the war his father was plundered of all his personal prop¬
erty, 'and even his life threatened. He therefore crossed over into
Illinois with his family as a retreat of safety. Riley H. accompanied

800

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the family to Illinois, and all located in Randolph county. Young
Mansfield was employed there as chief clerk in the provost marshal’s
office of the Sixty-first Illinois infantry of Gen. Logan’s division.
This appointment he held, discharging the duties of his office with en¬
tire satisfaction to his superior officers, until 1864, when he was com¬
missioned for the recruiting service, and was thereafter actively
engaged in the work of recruiting volunteers until the close of the
war. The war over, he now begun to cast about for some pursuit in
life congenial to his tastes, and almost instinctively turned to the law.
It was not until 1868 that he began regularly the study of law, which
was with Judge Hubbard, of Marion county, Ill. The following year
he came to Missouri and located at Montgomery City, where he con¬
tinued to prosecute his legal studies, his preceptors there being O. L.
Cross and William L. Gatewood. In 1869 he was duly examined for
admission to the bar, and was formally licensed and enrolled as an at¬
torney at law, Judge Gilchrist Porter, of the circuit bench, presid¬
ing. Meanwhile he had also taken a supplementary course at school.
After his admission Mr Mansfield located at New Florence and en¬
tered actively into the practice of his profession. The first few
years, however, were years of hard struggles, as is usually the
case with young lawyers, for he had both a living and reputation to
make, and clients were not very numerous. But he remained
faithful to his profession, fought his way up patiently and perse-
veringly, and finally established himself comfortably in a good prac¬
tice, which he has never since ceased to command. In 1875 he
was married to Miss Anna Hughes, a refined and accomplished
daughter of H. J. Hughes, of this city, and a sister of Dr. C. H.
Hughes, of St. Louis, formerly superintendent of the State Lunatic
Asylum at Fulton. Mr. Mansfield established the Optic in 1877.
Even then he had but little means to spare for founding a paper, but
the same success has attended him in this that he has had in all
his undertakings. Industry, patience, perseverance and good ability
have placed the Optic on a safe and solid footing, both financially and
as a popular, influential country journal. It has a good circulation of
over 500 subscribers, and a substantial, profitable advertising patron¬
age. Editoriallv, it is remarked for the fairness and ability with which
it is conducted. As a newspaper, it is fully up to the times and is reli¬
able ; and invariably it preserves that moral tone which makes it a
welcome visitor in the homes of the most circumspect and those most
careful of their own households. Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield have three
children : Claude, Robert H. and Freddie. Mr. Mansfield’s parents
are now residents of Laclede county, Mo. All of the family of chil¬
dren now living are themselves married, except two boys, and the
heads of families. A brother, Francis M., is the well known attorney
of Hartsville, Wright county, Mo.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

801

JOSEPH PENN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Williamsburg).

With a farm of 640 acres well improved, Mr. Penn, one of the
largest wheat raisers in his vicinity, is justly placed among the leading
agriculturists of the township in which he resides. All he has he has
accumulated mainly by his own exertions and good management. Mr.
Penn was born in Indiana March 10, 1828, but was principally reared
in Callaway county, Mo. April 15, 1852, he was married to Miss
Martha A., a daughter of Robert Goodman, of Montgomery county.
Only a short time before his marriage Mr. Penn had returned from
California, where he had spent two years engaged principally in mining,
and with a measurable degree of success. After his marriage he
settled in Montgomery county and engaged in farming, which he has
since continued to follow in this county. During the war, however,
he enlisted in the Union army, in the Missouri volunteer infantry, and
served for three years, and at the expiration of his term of service
was honorably discharged. Among other engagements he was in those
of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and most of the principal fights in Sher¬
man’s march to the sea. Mr. Penn was a brave and faithful soldier
for the cause he had sworn to serve, and as a citizen his career is not
less commendable, for he is one of the law-abiding, public-spirited
men of the community in which he lives. Mr. and Mrs. Penn have
had 13 children, 11 of whom are living: Anna, Mark, Luke, Sophia,
Mollie, Robert, Missouri B., Matthew, Columbus, Lillie S. and Charles
M. The two deceased were John and an infant. The first five are
married and are comfortably settled in the county. Mr. and Mrs. P.
are members of the Christian Church. His parents, William and
Eleanor (Nettles) Penn, were natives of Maryland, and his father was
a sailor and shipbuilder. They removed to Indiana in 1828, and two
years afterwards to Missouri, settling finally in Callaway county in
1835, where the father died about 16 years afterwards. The mother
died in 1880. They had a family of 11 children, of whom Mr. Penn,
the subject of this sketch, was the fourth. His parents were both
members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

THOMAS J. POWELL

(Attorney at Law and Agriculturist, New Florence).

Mr. Powell is one of the 43 old citizens of Montgomery county now
living who have made their homes within its borders continuouslv for
more than half a century. His parents, James Powell and wife, nee
Nancy Shelor, from Orange county, Va., were pioneer settlers in this
county. They came here in 1820, about two years after the organ¬
ization of Montgomery county (the county having been organized
December 14, 1818), and settled on the present site of Danville, where
the father built a horse-mill and opened a farm on land contiguous to
his mill site. This mill did the grinding for the early settlers

802

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

throughout a large area of surrounding country, but none of those
who came to have their grinding done in that dav are now-living,
all having gone the way of all the earth, and the old mill itself has
long since gone to decay. The father died at his homestead, in what
is now Danville, in 1828. The mother, however, lived to an advanced
age and died at the home of her son, Thomas J., near New Florence,
in 1872. James Powell was a man of sterling intelligence and upright
character, and regarded as a worthy, representative citizen by those
among whom he lived. He came of an old and well respected family
in Virginia. The Powell family settled in that colonv from England
prior to the Revolutionary War, and from time to time representa¬
tives of the family in Virginia, and in some of the other States where
branches have gone, have risen to State and National prominence in
public affairs and in the professions. Among others will readily be
called to mind by every one of general average information the
names of Hon. Alfred H. Powell, an eminent lawyer and a distin¬
guished representative in Congress, from Virginia; and of Hon.
Levin Powell, of Virginia, a lieutenant-colonel in the Continental
army, and afterwards a member of Congress ; also, of Hon. Paulus
Powell, an able member of Congress from Virginia for about 10
years, closing in 1859; and of Hon. Cuthbert Powell, another rep¬
resentative in Congress from Virginia. Then there was Hon.
Joseph Powell, of Pennsylvania, who defeated for Congress succes¬
sively the famous David Wilmot, and the not less famous Galusha
A. Grow, in the old “Wilmot district” in Pennsylvania, as well
as Col. Ulysses Mercur. There were also Gov. L. W. Powell, four
years Governor of Kentucky, and six years a member of the United
States Senate from that State; and Hon. Samuel Powell, elected
to Congress from Tennessee, as well as numerous others. The
Powells of Virginia were originally from Carmarthenshire, En¬
gland, where the family, or the original stock of the family,
has been settled from an early period in English history. Sir
John Powell was a distinguished representative of this family. His
son, Thomas, was for many years an able member of Parliament.
Thomas J. Powell, who comes of the Orange county (Va.) branch
of the family (a grandson of Lewis Powell, a son of James Powell,
a pioneer settler of Montgomery county, formerly from Orange
county, Va., and who had served with courage and fidelity through
the War of 1812), was born after the family came to Missouri, at the
family homestead on the present site of Danville, September 15, 1827.
He was left an orphan while vet in infancy, which of course seriously
affected his prospects in life. He was the youngest of a family of
four children, all the others of whom are now deceased, but each of
whom, however, lived to reach years of maturity. In boyhood and
youth young Powell was able to avail himself of only the limited
opportunities to obtain an education afforded bv the occasion — com¬
mon schools of the neighborhood. On account of the death of his

V _

father, no greater advantages than these could even be hoped for.
But being of a studious mind, he applied himself to his books dili-

803

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

gently whenever an opportunity for instruction offered, and thus suc¬
ceeded jn getting a good ordinary knowledge of an elementary En-
4 glish course. He soon found his whole time taken up with his affairs,
and hence had but little further opportunity to study. Taking an
intelligent and public-spirited interest in local political matters, in
1850 while yet quite a young man, Mr. Powell was selected for and
elected to the office of constable of Danville township. Such was the
efficiency with which he discharged the duties of that office, and such

v O 7

his personal popularity, that two years later he was elected sheriff of
the county over one of the most popular men in the county. In
1854 he was re-elected to the office of sheriff. In 1856 he was nomi¬
nated by the Democrats for representative, but at that time the Know
Nothing craze was at its height, and a great many Democrats, very good
men otherwise but in this respect considerably “ rattled,” followed
this ignis fcituus. This had the effect to defeat him for the Legislature.
In 1857 Mr. Powell was appointed public administrator of the county,
a position he filled until 1860. He was then again elected to the
office of sheriff, and served until 1861, when he was ousted on ac¬
count of his sympathy with the South. After this Mr. Powell took
no active interest in public affairs, his farming and stock interests oc¬
cupying a large share of his time and attention. He also entered
upon the study of law with a view to the practice, and in 1866 was
examined for license and formally admitted to the bar, Judge Porter,
of the circuit bench, presiding. Since then, for the past 18 years,
Mr. Powell has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession
and farming, and with good success. In 1853 he bought a handsome
tract of land near the town of New Florence, which he has had im¬
proved and added to, and where he now resides. From time to time
he has bought town property in New Florence and other real estate in
the county, and now has quite a rent roll at this place. Mr. Powell’s
homestead contains 500 acres, and is one of the valuable stock farms
of the south-central part of the county. He also owns the old family
homestead of his parents ,at Danville, and considerable other property
in the county. Mr. Powell is one of the public-spirited, leading citi¬
zens of New Florence, and has done much to build up the place and
make it a prosperous business center. He has his law office in town.
Personally, he is highly respected and justly popular. He is now
serving as public administrator of the county. He is also local attor¬
ney for the Wabash Railway, and is prominently identified with vari¬
ous enterprises of a public nature. Among others he is president of
the creamery company at this place. He is also secretary of the Old
Settlers’ Association of Montgomery county, in the affairs and pro¬
ceedings of which he takes an active interest. On the 17th of May,
1853, Mr. Powell was married to Miss Mary M. Davault, a daughter
of Henry Davault, one of the pioneer settlers of the county, but long
since deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have 15 children, and they
have the singular good fortune of having reared 13 of them, all of
whom are still living, namely: Nancy V., Mrs. Rodgers ; James H.,
MaryF., Mrs. Davault; William L., John P., Thomas J., Robert

804

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Lee. Florence M., Emma D., Alice, Dora T., George W. B. and Mag¬
gie. Mr. Powell’s three brothers were: John W., who was killed, to-
gether with Capt. D. Bryan and John M. Bryan near Lamar, in Barton
county, by the militia, or “Kansas Jayhawkers,” whilst en route to
join the Confederate army, and who left a family which now resides
in Montgomery county; James W., who died in Iowa in 1879, leav¬
ing a family, now residing in Iowa: and William L., who died in
Audrain county, also leaving a family of which only one child is liv¬
ing, a daughter, who is married to Rev. J. D. Robinet, a Baptist min¬
ister of the Gospel, who is now living at Brownwood, Tex. All of
the children of Thomas J. Powell are now living in Montgomery
county, except Mrs. Davault, who is in Leesburg, Tenn., her husband
being a practicing physician at that place.

HARVEY E. SCANLAND

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Mineola).

Mr. Scanland, the founder of Mineola, and one of the leading
agriculturists of the county, and useful, public-spirited citizens, started
out for himself a voung man practically without a dollar ; but, by
industry and economy, directed by good management and sustained
by unremitting perseverance, he has come, in a comparatively short
time, to occupy the enviable position in affairs he now holds. He has
a tine stock farm where he resides of over 400 acres, improved with
exceptional excellence and good taste. He also has another handsome
stock farm of 340 acres, which includes the site of the thriving little
watering place village of Mineola, meaning in the Indian tongue,
from which it was adopted, healing waters.” The waters of the
springs at Mineola have a wide reputation for their healing proper¬
ties, and Mr. Scanland, with characteristic enterprise and public
spirit, and with liberality and generosity, has fitted them up for public
use free of charge. The waters of these springs are free to all, and
are being hauled and shipped to all parts of the county and are proving
many wonderful cures. Mr. Scanland, in order to get good business
men to locate and build up the town of Mineola, has donated lots
free, and bv so doing has located mostly good citizens in the place.
Mr. Scanland comes of an old Virginia family, and is a son of Charles
and Margaret (Kerr) Scanland, of Augusta county, Va. They came
to this State, however, away back in 1818, and settled in Ralls county.
Mr. S. was born in Ralls county, October 26, 1832. When he was a
lad four years of age his parents removed to Pike county, where they
resided until their deaths. His father, who had been a soldier in the
War of 1812, was a farmer by occupation and later along established
the Walnutdale nursery in Pike county. He died there February 16,
1861. The mother died March 26, 1872. There were 13 children,
of whom four sons and four daughters lived to mature years, and
themselves became the heads of families. Their names were John
F., Sarah H., Alexander K., Nancy J., Elsina M., Harvey E., Charles
B. and Augusta S. Harvey E. was the ninth in the family, and grew

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

805

to manhood and lived with his father till 25 years old. His younger
brother, Charles B., being in poor health, he stayed on the farm in
Pike county. On the 24th of February, 1859, he was married to
Miss Sue E. Llewellyn, a daughter of Judge John W. and Jane
(Trabue) Llewellyn, of Clarke county, Mo. Mrs. S. was educated
at the Christian University in Canton, Mo. Soon after his marriage
Mr. Scanland moved to Audrain county. Seven years later he came
to Montgomery county, in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Scanland have five
children, namely: Cora B., Edgar B., Minnie M., Nellie and Grade.
Edgar is a merchant at Mineola. Mr. S. and oldest daughter, Cora,
are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. S. is
a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. S. has been an
elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for more than 20 years.
He is unusually temperate ; has never danced, played cards or sworn
an oath, and neither smokes, chews, nor uses intoxicating liquors of
any kind. He is very fond of good coffee, and good things in general.
Mr. S., having an eye to the welfare of posterity, is a member of* the
A. O. U. W. ; believes in supporting the church ministry, and help¬
ing the poor, and letting the rich take care of themselves.

EDGAR B. SCANLAND

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Mineola).

Mr. Scanland, an enterprising young business man of Mineola, is a
native of Audrain county and a son of Harvey E. Scanland, a leading
farmer of this vicinity and the proprietor of the Mineola Springs. Mr.
Scanland, Jr., was born September 18, 1862, and was reared on his
father’s farm. In youth very obedient to his parents, he was also
affectionate to his sisters, ever being ready to divide with them the
last cent he had. He received a good common school education in
the Prairie Fork district school, and among: his fellow-schoolmates he
was an universal favorite. Upon leaving this institution of learning he
engaged in farming with his father on the family homestead in this
county, known as Valley Farm, where he continued to farm and handle
stock with untiring zeal until embarking in his present line of business
at Mineola. Though starting in business life when quite young, he
always preferred to push his business rather than let his business push
him. When Edgar arrived at manhood his father, thinking him not
physically able to continue the pursuits of the farm, started him in the
mercantile business at Mineola, as above stated, in the winter of
1888. He is now located at the corner of Main and Maple streets in a
commodious building, a story and a half high, erected at a cost of $600.
He has a good trade, which is steadily on the increase, and is likely to
continue, as his manner of doing business gives general satisfaction.
He is perfectly temperate, keeps no boisterous company, and has a
good word for all. Both parents are members of the church. His
father and sister Cora are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. His mother is a member of the Baptist Church. His father
is a member of the A. O. U. W.

806

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

JACOB SEE

(Retired Farmer and Stock-Raiser, New Florence).

For nearly half a century this old and favorably known citizen has
been identified with the history and agricultural affairs of Montgomery
county, and with its growth, development, and prosperity. His life
has been one of industry and energy, and one, withal, rewarded with
abundant success. This position he has occupied not through any
effort of his own to make himself conspicuous, but by his generally
recognized personal worth, and by his plain, unassuming way, in the
private affairs of life. He is a Virginian by nativity, and comes of an
old and highly respected family in that State, the founder of the
family in this country having settled there prior to the Revolution.
Jacob See was a son of Michael See, who was the youngest of three
brothers in the family of 10 children of George See, of Hardy county,
Va. (now a part of West Virginia), the other two brothers having
been Adam and George, all of whom lived to reach years of maturity
and married. The families of the seven sisters made their homes in
Kentucky. The eldest brother, Adam, became a leading lawyer of
Northern Virginia. Michael See, the father of Jacob See, was born
and reared in Hardy county, W. Va., and was married to Miss
Kittie Baker of that count}7. Subsequently, he removed to Randolph
county, W. Va., where he made his permanent home. He
enlisted from that countv, and was first lieutenant in the War of 1812,
of Capt. Wamsley’s company, which was stationed at Norfolk during
the war. He reared a family of eight children, namely : Mary, Adam,
Elizabeth (Hart), Barbara (McClary), Anthony, Jacob, John and
Noah. Jacob See, the sixth of these, was born in Randolph county,
W. Va., September 1, 1810, and was reared on his father’s
farm in that county. His opportunities for education were very lim¬
ited, but he succeeded in obtaining a sufficient knowledge of books
for all ordinary, practical affairs. In the spring of 1833, he was
married in Randolph county, W. Va., to Miss Rachel Morrison, a
daughter of Samuel Morrison of that countv ; and four year later, he
removed to Missouri, bringing his family, settling on land adjoining the
town of Danville, where he engaged in farming, and also kept a
tavern. He continued there with success for some 13 years. After
the outbreak of the California gold excitement he fitted out a train
for the gold regions, the men agreeing to work for him in the
mines on shares. Out of this, however, he made little or nothing,
but by his own industry and management he had fair success.
After his return in 1852 he gave his tavern or hotel property to
his son-in-law, Daniel Nunnelly, and bought a farm about a mile
west of New Florence, on which he settled and where he engaged
on a more extensive scale in farming and stock-raising. He continued
on his place near New Florence until a few years ago, and there gave
his attention largely to stock-raising, and it was on that place that he

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

807

raised the famous steer 44 Stonewall Jackson,” known as the largest
ox in the world, and exhibited at a number of the leading cities of
the Union. This steer weighed over 4,000 pounds, and, although a
monster in size, was a handsomely formed animal. Mr. See became
a large land-holder, and although he has given each of his numerous
family of children a comfortable property, he still has an ample com¬
petency. Less than a year ago, September 26, 1883, he had the mis¬
fortune to lose his good wife, — she, who for over 50 years had shared
with him his labors and trials, his sorrows and joys, his hopes and dis¬
appointments. She had just passed her seventy-first year. Five of
his family of children are living: Michael, Cecelia, the wife of Nathaniel
Patton ; Charles, Samuel, Randolph and Thomas. The others, ex¬
cept Kittie, who died whilst the wife of Daniel Nun nelly a few years
ago, died at tender ages. Three of his sons are comfortably settled
on farms near New Florence, and the other is engaged in merchandis¬
ing at Montgomery City. In 1864 Mr. See was successfully prevailed
with to become a candidate for the State Legislature, and was elected.
He served during two sessions. Though now passed his seventy-
fourth year, he still has remarkably good health, considering his age,
and, notwithstanding his life has been one of hard work, he is quite
active for a man of his years.

NOAH SEE

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Real Estate Owner, Post-office, Montgomery City).

The name that heads this sketch is one as familiar to the people of
Montgomery county as a household word. The wealthiest man in the
county and one of the largest land-owners in North Missouri, these
facts, and that he has made substantially every dollar he is worth,
serve not so much to make him a prominent character in the history
of the county as the further fact that wherever he is known his name
stands a synonym for integrity, personal worth, and for abundant
successes in agricultural affairs by honest toil and regular, steady,
irreproachable methods. Mr. See has made what he possesses by the
plain, honest methods of industry, economy, good management and
fair dealings. He came to Montgomery county nearly half a century
ago with only a small amount of means ; and the years since have
been spent by him in labor both as energetic and untiring as have
characterized the career of any man in this part of the country. Mr.
See is a brother to Jacob See, whose sketch precedes this, and a
worthy prominent member of the old and respected Virginia family
whose name he bears. He was born in Randolph county, now of
West Virginia, September 19, 1815. Like his brother his advantages
to secure an education were extremely limited. But he more than
made up for this by his own personal application to study in private
and without an instructor. Indeed, later along he became well ad¬
vanced in mathematics, and thoroughly proficient in the science of
surveying, and became a surveyor after coming to Missouri. While
a resident of West Virginia, he was married to Miss Margaret W.

808

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

See, a daughter of Adam See, his first cousin, January 8, 1838, and of
Randolph county, that State. Brought up a farmer, he followed that
occupation in West Virginia, and in April, 1838, removed with his
family to Missouri. He had also learned the carpenter’s trade and
he followed this at Danville for some time after coming to this State.
Mr. See’s wife becoming dissatisfied with her surroundings in this
new country, returned to her father’s family in West Virginia. Mr.
See having identified all his property interests with the country,
found it impossible to return with her and hence a legal separation took
place between himself and wife. Steady and substantial progress pros¬
pered him in the accumulation of property here. He engaged in farming
and in raising and handling stock on a somewhat extensive scale, and
with good success. In a word, he became one of the wealthy men of this
part of the State, and at one time owned over 8,000 acres of fine land,
and he still owns some 7,900 acres in Montgomery and other coun¬
ties, besides large tracts he has given to his children. Most of his lands

7 O O

are in the shape of improved farms, and are occupied by tenants.
His homestead contains 920 acres, and is one of the leading stock
farms of the county. It is excellently improved, including a hand¬
some two-story residence that he has just completed. Mr. See has
given but little attention to public affairs, though in politics he is a
life-long, consistent Democrat. Many years ago he was appointed
deputy surveyor of the county, and was afterwards twice elected to
that office, serving for eight years, but refused a further service. It
is a fact in the history of the county, greatly to his credit, that no
survey he ever made has been successfully questioned, although they
have come up for controversy in the courts several times. In 1853,
some 15 years after his settlement in Montgomery county, and after
living a lonesome life for 12 years, Mr. See was married to Miss Mary
A. Sailor (October 18, 1853), of this county. This has proved a long
and happy union, and has been blessed with a numerous and worthy
family of children. Eight of their nine children are living, namely:
Anna M., now the wife of Roger W. Weeks ; Millard F., Virginia
Missouri, the wife of Samuel T. Weeks; Robert E. Lee (named
for the great general); Thomas J Jackson (named for Gen.
“ Stonewall ” Jackson) ; George W. Sylvester Clay, and Edward
Everett. The three older of the children who are married are com¬
fortably settled in life. The others are still at home. Mrs. See is a
worthy member of the Christian Church. She was a daughter of
James and Sibbe (Cobb) Sailor, of Montgomery county, but originally
of Kentucky, and was the third in their family of II children, nine of
whom are living: Nancy M., the wife of Richard Keel; Mary A.
(Mrs. See) ; Sylvester J., Cyrenus C., Margaret M., the wife of An¬
drew Lorton ; Lucy V., James M., John T. Salanthiel E., George
W. and Virginia R., the wife of Arthur Scott. Mrs. See’s grand-
parents on her father’s side were Emanuel Sailor and wife, who, before
her marriage, was a Miss Anna Hollett, of New York City, but after¬
wards of Kentucky, where she was married. The grandparents reared
three children : James (Mrs. See’s father), John H. and Thomas.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNT1".

809

Mrs. See’s daughter, Mrs. Roger W. Weeks, is somewhat noted in
the community for her fondness for and success in floriculture. She
has over 1,000 varieties of flowers, and a summer-house which con¬
tains over 460 varieties.

DANIEL P. TAYLOR

(Farmer and Fruit-grower, Post-office, New Florence).

Air. Taylor is a native of New York, born in Franklin county,
August 6, 1828. The family, however, came originally from Rutland
county, Yt. His grandfather, Samuel Taylor, was a farmer of that
county, and also subsequently engaged in the manufacture of agri¬
cultural implements. This industry was subsequently continued by
the four sons, namely : Samuel, Elias, John and Zadock. John Taylor
finally bought out his brothers and ran the manufacturing business for
a number of years. He was married in 1826 to Miss Philenda
Trumbull, a daughter of Horace Trumbull, of Rupert, Rutland
county, Yt. In 1827 he removed to Rutland county, N. Y., and
located at Malone, where he carried on the same business. Four years
later he returned to Vermont and settled at Middletown Springs. He
reared a family of five children, of whom Daniel P., the subject of
this sketch, was the eldest. He was twice married, Daniel P. being
born of his first marriage. His second wife was a Miss Mary Good¬
rich, of Washington county, N. Y., and the three younger children,
namely, Charles, Philenda and Jane, were by this union. The father
died in 1877 and his second wife in 1882. Daniel P. was reared in
Vermont and in 1852 went to California, where he engaged in mining
and afterwards clerked in a store. Two years later he returned to
Vermont about $3,000 better off than when he went. He soon came
West again and visited different States, following from time to time
various lines of business. In 1866 he was married in Lake county,
Ill., to Miss Charlotte, a daughter of Stephen Darrell. He was en¬
gaged in hotel keeping at Waukegan, in that county, for about three
years. He then came to New Florence, Mo., and engaged in the
hardware business. In 1870 he went to Oregon, but returned to New
Florence the same year and settled on the farm where he now resides.
His place is largely devoted to fruit raising. He has over 2,000 trees
and runs two evaporators in connection with his fruit. Last year he
realized nearly $2,000 from his orchard. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have
five children: John P., Mary, Fannie, Charles and Dora.

FREDERICK UTZ

(Farmer, Post-office, New Florence).

Mr. Utz is a native of Switzerland, born in 1846. He was one of a
family of eight children, and was reared in the old country. In 1866
he was married in Switzerland to Miss Magdalina Beuther, and con¬
tinued to reside there afterwards until 1871, when he emigrated to
America, locating in Montgomery county. In 1874 he bought a

810

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

small place of 40 acres and by industry, economy and good manage¬
ment has added to this from time to time, until be now has a hand¬
some place of nearly a quarter of a section of land. Mr. Utz is an
energetic, intelligent, thrifty farmer, and is rapidly coming to the
front as one of the substantial farmers of the township. Mr. and Mrs.
Utz have six children : Frank, Caroline, Ida, Annie, Mary and Charlie.
Mr. Utz’s parents, John A. and Ferana (Martin) Utz, were both of
old families in Switzerland. The father died there in 1884.

JAMES C. WHITESIDE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Danville) .

A substantial and enterprising young agriculturist of Montgomery
county is Mr. Whiteside, a young man of high character and marked
natural intelligence, and one who has been favored with the advan-
tages of thorough college training and valuable experience in business
affairs. He has followed agriculture since leaving college, in 1879,
with a degree of energy and enterprise that could hardly have failed of
favorable results. Mr. Whiteside has what is justly considered one
of the most valuable farms in the community, of 900 acres. He is
also introducing good grades of stock, to the breeding and raising of
which he expects to give his attention. Mr. Whiteside was born
and reared in this county and was a son of John C. Whiteside, well
known to all old citizens of the county, but who has long since been
deceased. Mr. Whiteside’s mother, before her marriage, was a Miss
Polly Wade, and he is the only child by this marriage. His father
had previously been married, but had lost his first wife, who was a
Miss Caroline M. Stewart, of this county. She died soon after her
marriage, and her only child lived but a short time. Mr. Whiteside’s
mother, some years after his father’s death, was married to Mr. William
Quick, of this county. He afterwards died, but his widow, Mr. White¬
side’s mother is still living, and now finds a welcome and pleasant home
with her son, the subject of this sketch. James C. Whiteside was born
in Montgomery county September 11, 1857, and was reared here on a
farm, his time being employed to good advantage in assisting on the
farm and attending the neighborhood schools. Later along, after a
course at preparatory school, he matriculated at McGee College, in
Macon county, for the completion of his education. He took an elec¬
tive course at McGee and remained there for three years. A short
time after leaving school he entered actively into farming and stock-
raising. However, for about six months he was traveling as a busi¬
ness representative of Lacy & Brown, tobacconists, at Montgomery
City. On the third of April, 1883, Mr. Whiteside was married to
Miss Minnie C. White, a daughter of ex-Sheriff Arch. H. White, of
this county. Mrs. Whiteside was educated at the High School in
Danville, taking an advanced general course and also a course of
music. Afterwards she taught school for some three years. She is a
sister to Mrs. Gupton, the wife of William L. Gupton, county clerk
of this count v. Miss Ida White, another sister, is engaged in teach-

97 7 O o

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

811

ing, and is a young lady of finished education. She took a musical
course of six years, and is a pianist of high order of talent and pro¬
ficiency. Misses Sallie and Rose White, the two younger sisters, are
now completing their educations at Danville. Mrs. Whiteside is an
earnest member of the M. E. Church South. She is a lady whom it
is a pleasure to meet, not less on account of her engaging manners
and conversation, than of the many excellent, true womanly qualities
of her heart. Mr. and Mrs. W. have one son, Clark Herndon. Mr.
Whiteside is a prominent member of the Masonic order. He is also
a member of the Baptist Church.

ALIA S. WHITESIDE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Danville).

Mr. Whiteside is a cousin to James C. Whiteside, whose sketch
precedes this, and in which an outline of the family history has been
given. Alia S. was born in this county June 13, 1837. His father,
Maj. H. Whiteside, being a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation,
Alia S. was therefore brought up to these occupations. In early
youth he attended the common schools of the vicinity where he was
reared, and also later along studied at home under private instruction.
Thus receiving a good general education, he supplemented it with a
course at commercial college, graduating at Jones’ Business College,
of St. Louis, in 1858. From commercial college he returned home,
and was shortly employed as book-keeper for Craig & Bros., High
Hill. He remained with that firm for several months, and in 1861
was married in Lincoln county to Miss Mary D. Carter. Shortly
afterwards he enlisted in the Missouri State militia and served until
the fall of 1861, when he was elected justice of the peace, and there¬
fore honorably discharged from militia service to enter upon the
duties of his office. For the last 20 years or more Mr. Whiteside
has been actively engaged in farming, and to some extent in raising
stock. For the last 10 years he has served as deputy assessor of the
county, and has made a popular and thoroughly efficient officer. Mr.
and Mrs. W. have eight children.

BENJAMIN E. WILSON

(Dealer in Hardware, Tinware, Stoves, Agricultural Implements, Etc., Etc., New

Florence, Montgomery county, Mo.).

Mr. Wilson engaged in his present line of business at New Florence
. some 15 years ago, and has been in the same business at this place
continuously ever since, having previously had practical experience in
business life and also a course at commercial college, his qualifications
were such as to bespeak for him a successful future. By close atten¬
tion to business, fair dealing and good management, he has made his
house one of the representative establishments of this line in the
county, and has long bad a large trade. Mr. Wilson, the subject of
the present sketch, was trained in the school of hard experience in

812

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

establishing himself in life. He had practically nothing to begin on,
but went to work with energy and resolution to accomplish something
for himself. Reared in St. Louis, after having been employed in
mercantile business there for a time, he located on a farm in St.
Charles county, where he remained up to 1869. By this time he had
accumulated some means, and preferring a business life to farming, he
came to New Florence, and established his present hardware house,
believing this point to be an excellent location for this line of business.
At first he and his brother, Jno. M., were together as partners, but the
latter withdrew from the firm, January 1, 1881. Mr. W.’s success has
been all that he expected. He carries a good stock and keeps a gen¬
eral assortment of the different classes of goods in his respective lines.
He also has a tinshop in connection with his business and a commo¬
dious warehouse for agricultural implements, in connection with his
store. Mr. Wilson is a man of family. He was married in 1866 to
Miss Elizabeth M. McClure, a daughter of A. McClure, of St. Charles
county. Mr. and Mrs. W. have six children: Nellie M,, Lillie M.,
Charles M., Edward A., Bertha L. and Lula. Mr. Wilson was born
in St. Louis county, August 9, 1841, and was a son of Benjamin C.
Wilson and Priscilla J. (Hall) Wilson, of that county, his father form¬
erly of Ohio, but his mother originally from Virginia. His father
was a son of John Wilson, one of the pioneer settlers of St.. Louis
county, the owner of Wilson’s Island, a few miles above St. Louis,
and for whom the island was named. Mr. Wilson’s mother wras a
daughter of Benjamin Hall, a well known citizen of St. Louis county,
and a grand-niece on her mother’s side of Judge Stewart. Mr. Wil-
son’s father, Benjamin C. Wilson, was a successful farmer of St.
Louis county until 1854, when he started to California with a drove
of stock. But selling the stock on the way, at Salt Lake City, he
started to return home, and was murdered for his money a short time
afterwards in the vicinity of Fort Laramie. He was twice married,
and Ben. E. was the eldest of three children bv his first wife. Ben.
E. wras only 13 years of age at the time of his father’s death. The
other children were John M. and Sallie P. Wilson.

JOSHUA B. WINTER

(Of Winter & Baker’s Grist ancl Saw Mill, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Winter was reared to the milling business, has followed it thus

far almost uninterruptedly all his life, and has been engaged in run¬
ning his present mill for about 12 years. It is an excellent mill run
by steam power and supplied with the best machinery and with a good
building, 28x36 feet in dimensions and three stories high, erected in
1870. The mill has a capacity of 30 barrels of flour daily, and a saw¬
ing capacity of 3,000 feet. Mr. Winter is a thorough miller, and is
therefore enabled to manufacture the best grade of flour. He is a man
of character and unquestioned standing, and has the full confidence of
the public, both in his business and as a citizen. He is a native of
Tennessee, born in Blount county, April 10, 1839. His father was

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

813

Sterling Winter, and his mother a Miss DeciaBirdwell, both Tennessee¬
ans, where they were reared and married. They came to Missouri in
1840, locating in Montgomery county, and in 1849 the father built a
mill on Price’s Branch, which he ran for 10 years. He then erected
a mill at Danville, which he carried on until 1864. From that time
up to 1870 he was engaged in farming, when he and Mr. Baker
erected the mill in which his son afterwards succeeded him. The
father went to California in 1881, but died near Wooden in that State
in less than two years afterwards, in the fall of 1883. His wife* the
mother of Joshua B., died in 1856. There were 10 children in their
family, among whom the subject of this sketch was the third. He
was reared in Montgomery county, and on the 2d of February, 1864,
was married to Miss Luticia, a daughter of Granville and Elizabeth
P. Nunnelly, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. W. have three children:
Charles E., John W. and Mary E. Both parents are members of the
Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and
of the A. F. and A. M.

C H A P T E K XVI.

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP.

POSITION AND DESCRIPTION.

Montgomery township is the last formed municipal township of Mont¬
gomery county. Up to 1872, after the formation of those townships,
its territory was embraced in that of Upper Loutre, Danville and
Prairie. It comprises nearly two congressional townships 49, range 5,
and 49, range 6, with the northern tier of sections of township 48 of the
same ranges. It is 12 miles in length, running from the range line
between ranges 4 and 5 to the Callaway line, and the eastern portion
is six miles and the western five miles wide. It contains 42,240
acres of land.

The western part of the township through which the Loutre and
sundry of its branches flow is rough, broken and timbered. The
eastern portion, lying upon and east of the watershed, is largely prairie,
and though it was the last settled it is bv far the best improved and
most valuable portion of the township.

EARLY HISTORY.

The western portion of this township, along Loutre, was the first
settled. In the southern part of the western portion of the township
there was a settlement called “ Cobbtown,” as early as 1823, in
which year came Samuel Cobb, Sr., and his sons, Samuel, Jr., Adam
and Philip, and located here in the border of the prairie. The Cobbs
were from Kentucky. Adam was a soldier in the War of 1812. He
married Delilah Bodkin and had 10 children. Samuel, Jr., lived to
be nearly 90. He was the father of Alvin Cobb, the noted guerrilla.

To the vicinity of “ Cobbtown ” came the Peverlevs (or the Peve-
leys as they are called) in 1824. There were Daniel, David, Jacob

( 8141

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

815

and Peter Peverley, and they were related to the Cobbs. Another
settler in early days in the same neighborhood was Wm. Brown, a
son-in-law of Daniel Cobb. Isaac and James Olfrey came into the
settlement in about 1825. Allot' these were Kentuckians.

Daniel Peverly was thrown from a horse and killed, May 7, 1868,
while he and his grandson were riding a small pony which Mr. Peverley
had purchased from the wife of Alvin Cobb, who, with her two chil¬
dren, had ridden the animal all the way from the Indian Territory,
when she left the noted bandit.

The eastern portion of the township, especially on the prairie, was
not settled until about 1848, and indeed some sections were not im¬
proved or even entered from the Government until as late as 1855.

COUNTRY CHURCHES.

JSfew Providence Old School Baptist Church. — This organiza¬
tion, probably the oldest one in Montgomery county, dates its origin
here the 1st of April, 1826, David Hubbard being the most promi¬
nent person in its formation. The following names appear on the
church roll as constituent members : Emanuel and Anna Sailor,
Abner and Katherine Johnson, Sarah Nettle, Mary Cobb, William
and Elizabeth Jones, George W. and Nancy Crane ; Magdalene Cobb,
Sibba Peveler, Kitty Jones (col’d), Silas Thomas, Jabez and Hannah
Ham, Polly Hays, Dorcas Boone, Cloa McCart, Thomas Fand, Re¬
becca McCart, Rachel Still, Margaret Oliver, John Hays, Azariah B.
Green, Daniel Groves, Elizabeth Bunch, Nancy Moore, Richard Jones,
Grace and Isaac Hunt, Hezekiah and Elizabeth Jones, James McCor¬
mack, Winnie Jones (col’d), William and Elizabeth L. McCormick,
John and Mary Wilburn, John and Francis Woody, Ganet and Ann
Lowery, Mary Patterson, Marv Davis, Catherine Davis, John Woody,
Jr., Prudence Woody, John R. Teneson, Emeline Louton, Daniel
Hunt, Rena (col’d) and Uenic McCormack. The present member¬
ship is 25. David Hubbard, Jabez Ham, Stephen Ham, William
Jones and James E. Lee, have supplied this pulpit at different pe¬
riods. A church building was erected in 1826 and rebuilt in 1828 ;
it stood on section 5, township 48, range 6, but at present there is no
house of worship, the house having been taken away. The cemetery,
however, is kept up.

Bethel Church M. E. South. — This church was first organized
some time previous to 1840, and a log building was erected about that
time, but owing to the loss of this structure by fire, the early records
being contained therein, and of course destroyed, we are unable to

816

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

give the pioneer history of this body. It was reorganized, however,
through the efforts of William Eads in 1865. Mr. C. D. Maupin
and wife and P. Harrison were among the first members. The
congregation, which now numbers 75, worship in a frame church
house, built in 1869, and the ministers in charge have been Will¬
iam Eads, Jesse Sutton, Horace Brown, Henry Craig, John F. Shares
and Revs. Jones, Edwards, Taylor, Penn, Paine, Loving and McClen-
tic. The Sabbath-school has 50 pupils ; C. D. Maupin, superintendent.

Salem ‘Church — Had until February 28, 1881, a frame house in
which services were held, erected in 1875 and costing $1,000. At
the former date fire destroyed the building and the church has not
been rebuilt, the members, numbering 23, having disbanded and
gone to Montgomery and Wellsville. It was organized originally
at Phipps’ school-house with James H. and Carmilla V. Oliver, Miss
Sallie Oliver, Isaac M. Oliver, Joseph Phipps, and Martha and Jane
Phipps. William Penn was the incumbent of the pulpit one year, I.
M. Oliver, one and a half years ; E. D. Oliver and W. D. Grant, each
for a like period; the last pastor was M. M. Modissett. Twenty
scholars in the Sabbath-school were superintended by A. P. Oliver.

MONTGOMERY CITY.

Prior to the year 1853 the land on which Montgomery City is now
situated, and the region round about, was open prairie, virgin and un¬
broken, trackless and unsubdued. Habitations were few and far
between on the prairies in the county at that time ; a large portion of
the land still belonged to the United States government, and was
subject to entry. It was in the Palmyra land district.

In 1851 or 1852 James M. Robinson entered a tract of land in the
northern portion of section 31, south-west of the present town site.
To this land, in the early spring of 1853, he hauled the timbers for a
log house from some distance in the country and erected the building.
This was* however, outside of the corporation, and the building is
yet standing 175 yards south-west from the college building, and oc¬
cupied by a colored family. Also, in the same spring, a house was
finished by T. C. McClearev.

In April, 1853, a citizen of this county, a Mr. Franklin, of Dan¬
ville, went up to Palmyra, in Marion county, to enter some land in
this neighborhood. Mr. Benj. P. Curd, then, as now, a citizen of
that county, and one of its early settlers 1 was in the office at the

1 Mr. Curd was born in Jessamine county, Ky., in 1810, and settled permanently in
Missouri in 1832.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

817

time. He believed that the great thoroughfare known as the North
Missouri Railroad, then already projected, would come along the
watershed between the Mississippi and the Missouri from the mouth
of the latter to the Iowa line; and learned, from the Montgomery
county man that there was some land in this quarter wild and unen¬
tered. He selected 160 acres in a square, covering the site of the
town, and 80 acres to the westward, embracing the fair grounds and
other portions, and entered the same in his own name.

Between St. Charles and Mexico, along the route of the railroad
surveyed, there was not a single town which was certain to be a point
on the road. In November Mr. Curd had the town laid off, and soon
after there was a sale of lots.

Seeking out the local attorney of the railroad company, Mr. Wm.
Saulsbury, of Danville, Mr. Curd proposed to give every other lot in
the town plat if he would cause the railroad company to build its
track through it and locate a permanent depot therein. Mr. Sauls-
bnry readily accepted, set to work to influence the company to make
the location accordingly, but in the meanwhile two brothers named
Morris, of St. Louis, had purchased the tract of land lying east of
Curd’s land from Ira Ellis for $30 per acre, the Knapp Bros., of St.
Louis, proprietors of the Missouri Republican, becoming their sure¬
ties in some way for the money.

The Morris Bros, endeavored to influence the railroad authorities
to locate the town on their tract. However, the railroad company
decided that whoever gave the most should have the town. Sealed
proposals were made, and the town given to Curd, who gave to the
railroad company 10 acres south of the track and in the heart of the
town, besides right of way. These 10 acres include all the land from
the track to Walker street on the south, and from Sullivan street on
the east to Fourth street on the west. Ten acres west of town were
also given the company. The company only leases its 10 acres in the
original town plat, where the railroad hotel, the park adjoining, the
elevator and other buildings are.

Mr. Curd pursued a very liberal and generous course in the up¬
building of the town. He sold his lots at reasonable prices, and
indeed gave away a great many. In the spring of 1857 he gave to
Thos. Stevens a prominent lot on the corner of Second and Allen
streets, north of the track and immediately fronting it (where the
mansard building now, 1884, is), and soon after Steven began the
erection of a store building, the first in the place. Prior to this,
however, David Snethen and Abraham Grooms had built a little

818

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

“grocery,” or saloon, on Second street, below Allen, south of the
track and near Schambach’s boarding house.

Some time after Stevens had opened his store came Daniel and
John Bryan and opened a general store on Allen street, between First
and Sullivan. They had previously conducted a store half a mile
east of town, whither they had removed a small stock from down on
the Dry fork of Loutre. The Bryans had for a clerk John W. Ham,
now a merchant of the city. The store stood on the present site of
the Jackson house.

Other buildings followed. William Saulsbury built a residence
north of the track, in the western part of the town, which is still
standing. Daniel Bryan built a dwelling house (yet standing) ©n the
south side of the track. The lumber out of which Bryan’s store and
house were built was hauled from his mill, down on Dry fork, 12
miles away, by J. L. Pegram.

The first railroad depot building was put up in the fall of 1857,
before the track was laid. Its construction was hastened by Sauls¬
bury, to make assurance doubly sure that there would be a depot at
Montgomery City. It stood on the company’s ground, just south of
the track, on the west side of Second street — now the site of the
freight depot. The original building was moved back, and is yet in
existence. The first depot agent was Thomas Stevens.

The grading of the railroad at and near Montgomery City was
completed early in 1856, but owing to the length of time required to
complete the “ big cut ” near Warrenton and to finish the grading in
Warren county, the track was not laid to this city until about Decem¬
ber 1, 1857, soon after which time the cars began to run regularly.
A turn-table was built, and Montgomery City was made the terminus
of the road for two or three months following;. This was of great
advantage. The town improved, although it was a cold winter, and
many buildings went up. The next terminus of the road was at Mexico.

In the fall of 1857 two painters, named Mullen and Bartlett, built
a house on block 22, north-west corner of Sturgeon and Third streets,
which they intended for a business house. The first hotel was built
and managed bv one Nelson, in the early winter of 1857. It stood
on the corner of Second and Allen, north of the track and opposite
the then depot. In about a year Nelson sold out to H. D. Brown,
who also purchased the Mullen & Bartlett building and removed it to
and adjoining the hotel. Both buildings were burned in 1861.

In 1858 the citizens and proprietors of the town determined to build
a college or high school building, in order to compete successfully with

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

819

her neighbor — Danville. Mr. Curd gave a tract of land in the west¬
ern part of the original town as a site, and $1,500 in cash besides.
Mr. James Robinson’s proposal to donate land was also accepted, and
the building was put up on Robinson’s land in the summer of 1858.
The first school was taught therein in 1859, with Rev. William A.
Taylor as principal. It was called Montgomery College.

Also in 1858 there was considerable other improvements. Along
Allen street, on the north side of the track, houses sprang up, and
stores, groceries, etc. Numerous dwelling-houses were erected in
various parts of the town.

Morris Bros, failed to pay for their land, and the Knapps relieved
them of it and laid off Knapp’s addition, which soon began to be
settled with residences.

The first post-office was established at Montgomery City in 1857,
with John Bryan as postmaster. He held the office until in the sum¬
mer of 1861, when he turned it over to Thomas Stevens for a short
time and entered the Southern army. In June, 1861, David Bruner
took the office and held it until ousted by Andrew Johnson, in about
1866, being succeeded by Col. D. M. Sullivan. In March, 1870,
Bruner was reappointed and served until March, 1882, when he was
succeeded by the present incumbent, S. D. Ham, Esq.

The town was not laid out with the cardinal points of the compass,
but with the railroad track, and therefore the streets run from north¬
east to south-west and from south-east to north-west. The surveying
was done by the railroad surveyors.

July 4, 1856, John Stone and Joseph Hibbert began building a
steam mill on the site now occupied by the Montgomery City Mills, in
the southern or south-eastern part of town. The machinery and
appointments for this mill were shipped from St. Louis by the Mis¬
souri river to Portland, and hauled across the country to Montgomery.

Herman Schambach, of Danville, soon came, and he built a small
one-story house on the west side of Second street, south of the track,
and nearly west of the mill (lot 1, block 9), and this was used as a
boarding-house for Stone & Hibbert’ s employes. When the steam
mill was completed, in the fall of 1856, it was regarded as a curiosity
by many, who came for miles to see it in operation. It was at first
only a saw mill, but in 1857 it became a grist mill. In 1858 a dis¬
tillery was added, with a capacity of a barrel and a half of whisky a
day, and it was run until 1864. In 1862 Stone & Hibbert sold the
mills to Capt. Goodrich.

The town was incorporated by act of the Legislature, approved

820

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

February 9, 1859, as a town , and is still running under its original
charter. The incorporation included the original town plat and a
strip 40 rods in width on the east, south, and west sides of the town.

The commissioners of the first election to choose municipal officers
were Daniel Bryan, Thomas Stevens and A. W. Jones. The first
mayor was Dr. John C. Hagan.

The first school attended by the children of the new town was
taught by the Misses Wheaton, two sisters, from Connecticut, in the
vacated store house of Daniel Bryan, half a mile east of town. Miss
Eliza Robinson taught the first school in town, using the Mullen &
Bartlett building on Sturgeon street, before mentioned. This was
in the summer of 1858.

Perhaps the first religious services were conducted by Rev. Levi
T. McNeiley, then of the M. E. Church South, in the spring of
1858, before the college building was completed. At first the
preachers held forth where they could, and services were held at
the residences of Thos. Callaway, Mr. Busby, in the railroad depot,
and elsewhere. Upon the completion of the college building it was
used by all denominations.1

The first practicing physician was Dr. John C. Hagan, who came
in the summer of 1857. He is still in Missouri.

Up to the outbreak of the Civil War, the population of Montgomery
City had grown to about 300. There was a good mill and distillery,
two or three general stores, some grocery stores, saloons, blacksmith
shops, etc. Numerous citizens from the Northern States had come in
and settled, and the Union sentiment predominated.

Upon the call of Gov. Jackson for the assembling of the Missouri
State Guard, the Bryans, Daniel and John, turned out. John gave
up the post-office, and Daniel was chosen captain of a company re¬
cruited from this neighborhood. The company took part in the affair
at Averton’s Run, or the “ Fulton races,” July 17, 1861.

When Capt. Bill Myers, of Pike county, burned the Wellsville
depot, in December, 1861, he came on down to Montgomery , but was
persuaded not to burn the depot here by Tom Stevens, then the depot
agent. Myers took Dominic Byron, a Union man, as prisoner, but
released him when he left the town, the same night.

In July came Morgan L. Smith’s Eighth Missouri regiment (the
“ American Zouaves ”), and then Capt. McNulty’s company of the

1 The Baptist and Methodist Union Church building, built in 1868, was the first
regular church building in Montgomery City.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

821

Second Illinois cavalry. In the early winter of 1862 Capt. Tyler’s
Eighty-first Ohio was sent here to garrison the place and to encourage
recruiting for the Federal service. It was stationed in the college
building for some two months, and during this time Capt. Rice and
Lieuts. McCammon and Meigs organized their company, afterwards
known successively as Co. F, Twenty-second Missouri, and Co. E,
Twenty-fourth Missouri, attached to the Tenth Missouri infantry.

While Tyler’s company was here Daniel Bryan’s store was adminis¬
tered upon by some of the officers, and it is alleged that many of the
goods were sent to Ohio in flagrant violation of right and law. Bryan
had been killed on his way to Price’s army.

From this time forward until the close of the war, Montgomery
City was safely in the hands of the Federals, though in August, 1863,
the town was reported in danger of being raided by certain bands of
Confederate bushwhackers and there was some alarm.

Among the other companies of Federal troops here during the war
was a company of the Third Iowa infantry. This company destroyed
the press and material of the Pioneer Gazette printing office. The
company obtained an unenviable reputation for thievery and general
lawlessness while here. Its commander was one Capt. Ogg, of whom
his men spoke as a coward, and often sang in his presence one couplet
of an improvised song referring to his conduct at the battle of Blue
Mills : —

And in the fight old Captain Ogg
He ran and hid behind a log.

In the fall of 1864, during the Price raid, when Col. Holmes’ For¬
tieth Missouri was sent into this county, it passed through Montgom¬
ery City on its return to St. Louis. Some of the members broke
into the post-office and carried away postage stamps, as well as some
goods then exposed for sale.

After the war many new buildings went up and the prosperity of
the place increased considerably during 1865-66-67. In 1866 an
effort was made to bring the county seat here, but, as noted else¬
where, this effort failed. January 10, 1866, the Montgomery county
Independent was established, by R. E. Yerdier, and since that date
the town has never been without a newspaper, except from July,
1867, to January, 1868.

Very soon Montgomery City began to attract to it a large trade
from an extended radius and area. The railroad hotel was built in
the early summer of 1866, with the present proprietor, H. Spinsby,
as its first landlord.

822

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The mill did its full share in attracting patronage to the town.
Curd was always liberal to new-comers in the sale ol lots.

The progress of the town has since been healthy and substantial.
Buildings have gone up as they were needed, and proper improve¬
ments have been made from time to time as demanded. W. L. Gate¬
wood’s hall, on the south-east corner of Sturgeon and Second streets,
was the first public hall of the kind in the place worthy of the name.
The public park is inclosed, an artesian well is being bored, and the

ground will be well cared for hereafter.

LEADING TRAGEDIES IN MONTGOMERY CITY.

In the year 1876 or 1877 a negro named Bob Harris was shot and
killed at or near the colored church in Montgomery City by another
negro named Trimble. The latter was tried and sent to the peniten¬
tiary for 10 years.

June 8, 1879, occurred, at Montgomery City, the murder by a mob
of a negro named George Richards, who was accused of a nameless
crime against a respectable white lady of the place. Saturday night,
June 1, 1879, Mrs. Hamlin, who resided with her children in the
western part of town, was assaulted by George Richards. When the
facts became known on Sunday, a warrant for his arrest was issued
and served and Richards was placed in the calaboose, where he was
identified by Mrs. Hamlin. Sunday night, about 11 o’clock, the door
of the calaboose was broken open and the body of the criminal rid¬
dled with bullets, thus ending the life of one who had been a source
of fear to all respectable citizens.

About the 1st of October, 1884, a man known as “ Pack” Slavens
was shot and mortally wounded by a young man named J. W. Shu¬
mate, in Crockett’s restaurant, on Allen street. Slavens was not a
man of good reputation regarding his disposition, especially when in¬
toxicated, as was frequently the case. On one occasion he assaulted
an old man, James L. Pegram, and gave him a terrible blow on the
head with a fence-picket. For this he left the county and was absent
some time. Shumate is about 19 years of age, and his home is in
Lincoln county. At the time of the shooting he was a clerk in
Hance’s store.

On the day of the shooting Slavens was intoxicated, and approached
young Shumate in a rude and boisterous way. Some time afterward
Slavens and a drunken companion, named Sayers, went into Crock¬
ett’s restaurant for dinner, and in a few minutes Shumate came in and
a quarrel, a fight, and a struggle resulted between them, and at last

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

823

Shumate shot Slavens in the abdomen. At the instant the shooting
was done Shumate was lying on the floor with Slavens upon
him.

Shumate was arrested on a charge of assault with intent to kill, and
released on bail. Slavens died three or four days afterward, leaving
besides a wife, several children. The case against Shumate is yet
undisposed of.

LEADING INSTITUTIONS OF MONTGOMERY CITY.

Tobacco Factory . — In the spring of 1880 J. H. Lacy and Paul
Brown determined to remove their tobacco factorv from Wentzville to
Montgomery City. The citizens here gave them considerable encour¬
agement, financially and otherwise, and early in the spring they began
the erection of their building. In May they moved in and began
work. January 1, 1881, the Lacy & Brown Tobacco Company was
incorporated and took charge of the institution. The capital stock
was $30,000 ; Paul Brown has been president of the company since
its existence, and L. W. English, secretary, treasurer and shipping
clerk. Mr. Lacy retired in 1884, but the style of the company is un¬
changed. The institution manufactures chewing and smoking tobacco,
and readily disposes of its products. It buys by far the greater por¬
tion of its leaf tobacco in this county, with much in Callaway,
Audrain and adjoining counties. Its manufacture is about 500,000"
pounds of tobacco annually.

Tow Mills. — The tow mills at Montgomery City, located in the
northern part of town, were built in August, 1881, by Vestal, Harris
& Co., of Indiana. The citizens gave a bonus of $500 to the propri¬
etors. In 1882 the firm became Vestal, Stewart & Co. The mills
are run by steam, and the engine is of 60-horse power. They manu¬
facture annually about $20,000 worth of upholstery and paper tow,
and ship to various markets in the United States, including San Fran¬
cisco. The raw material is chiefly purchased from Montgomery county
farmers.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper in Montgomery City, as well as the first in
Montgomery county, was established in the fall of 1857, and the first
copy issued November 1 of that year. It was called the Montgomery
City Journal, and its editor and proprietor was James M. Robinson,
who built the log house before referred to. Mr. Robinson moved the
press and material for his office here from Louisiana, Mo. The office
was on Allen street, north of the railroad track, and one door west

824

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

from Bryan’s store. The foreman was Robert S. Buchanan, now an
editor at North Loup, Nebraska, and one of the printers was a Mr .
Jewell, afterward a minister and editor of the Carrollton Democrat
and The Triple Link , an Odd Fellows’ paper.

The Journal was a four-page, seven-column paper, independent in
politics, and was published more to advertise the town than for any
other purpose. At last Mr. Robinson in March, 1858, disposed of the
office material to his foreman, one Adam Harper, who had come from
the Presbyterian office. Harper ran the paper until perhaps in 1860,
when it was purchased by Wm. C. Lovelace and removed to Danville,
and the name changed to the Chronicle.

January 10, 1866, R. E. Yerdier issued at Montgomery City the
first number of the Montgomery County Independent. The office was
in Yerdier’ s residence, adjoining the railroad hotel on the east. The
paper was a six-column folio, 22x32 in size. At that time it was the
only paper printed in the county, and had about 500 subscribers. It
was independent in politics, with Democratic leanings. The press was
brought from Mexico by Thomas W. Parker, who was superintendent
of the paper.

In January, 1867, the Independent enlarged to a seven-column
sheet, size 24x36, and came out as a staunch Democratic sheet. This
did not please many of the patrons, who withdrew their support, and
in July following the paper suspended.

On the 1st of January, 1868, Thomas W. Parker and W. A. Mar¬
tin started the Democratic Picket Guard , a six-column Democratic
weekly, 22x32 in size. In six months Parker withdrew, and was suc¬
ceeded by Park Henshaw. In August the Picket Guard left its
post, being abandoned by its friends, and was mustered out. In
the fall of the same vear W. L. Gatewood foreclosed a mortgage
which he held on the office and sold the material to J. B. Ellis, who
issued the first number of a Democratic journal called the Montgomery
Standard , March 4, 1869. The paper was 24x36 in size, and all
printed at home. Sometime in the fall of 1872 Ellis sold the paper to
W. S. Bryan, who enlarged it to an eight-column sheet, and published
it until in August, 1875, when he sold to R. W. Jones and A. O.
Sanders. The latter sold to the present editor and publisher, John
W. Jacks, May 1, 1880.

THE RAY.

The first edition of this paper appeared December 7, 1871. It was
published in Danville, and had its office in an old brick school-house.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

825

The original proprietor and editor was Col. L. A. Thompson, who
has ever since conducted the paper in both capacities. The paper
was a six-column folio, and the subscription price was $1.50. The
paper has always been Republican in politics, and in 1872, its first
political campaign, it supported Grant for President, John B. Hen¬
derson for governor, T. J. C. Fagg for Congress, and the Republican
county ticket, with S. C. Baker for representative. The paper was
enlarged May 9, 1873, to a seven-column folio. October 2, 1875,
the office and fixtures of The Hay were removed to Montgomery
City, and put up in the room that it now occupies. Much of the
time it has been the only Republican paper in the county, and al¬
though in a city, county, and district overwhelmingly Democratic, it
has always maintained its rights fearlessly, and yet it has had a liberal
patronage from the most intelligent Democrats. Annually, during the
week of the fair, a full sized daily edition is published called The
Hay Fair Daily . Although not a seeker for controversy on any
opinion of public interest, it fears nobody’s pen, and has with rare
exceptions been let alone. The name of the paper is purely original
and was chosen with a view to newness; the two words of three
letters each convey the desired idea of the publication, and were
selected after some thought. The is as much a part of the name as
Hay , and is properly printed with the same emphasis.

FAIR ASSOCIATION.

The first meeting to organize the Montgomery County Agricultural
and Mechanical Association was held December 15, 1866. A. O.
Forshey was chairman, and J. R. Hance, secretary. The Association
started with a capital stock of $10,000, in 500 shares, of $20 each.
The first officers were Henry Clark, president; I. F. Goodrich,
vice-president; O. L. Cross, secretary; John W. Ham, treasurer;
J. L. Pegram, marshal. The directors were Henry Clark, J. H.
Gordon, Thos. Ferguson, W. L. Gatewood, I. F. Goodrich, J. S.
Flood, J. W. Culbertson, E. B. Overstreet, and J. M. Owings.

The first fair was begun Tuesday, October 22, 1867, and continued
three days.

The grounds of the Association were purchased March 7, 1867, of
B. P. Curd, and comprise 20 acres off the west side of east half section
30, township 45, range 5, and are one-fourth of a mile long north and
south, and one-eighth of a mile wide east and west. Mr. Curd took
$200 worth of stock at $40 an acre. The officers for 1884 were,
James Lail, president; J. F. (Dick) Smith, vice-president; Jas. R.

826

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Hance, secretary ; O. H. Winegar, general manager; Alfred Davault,
chief marshal.

CHURCHES OF MONTGOMERY CITY.

Baptist Church. — The first Baptist Church was organized at Elk-
horn school house, by S. T. Johnson, David W. Nowlin, and Walter
McQuie, Sr., in September, 1856. In 1864 it was moved to Mont¬
gomery City, where it held meetings in the college until 1868, when
the Uniou Church building, between the Baptists and Methodists, was
completed. In 1880 the present church, a frame building, was erected,
at a cost of $1,800. The building stands on the corner of Sturgeon
street and Spinsby avenue. It was dedicated February 15, 1880, by
W. Pope Yeaman, D. D. William Hopkins, Betsy A. Hopkins and
Patsy Hudnal were among the first members. The first pastor after
organization was Walter McQuie, Sr.; second, David W. Nowlin;
third, M. T. Bibb ; fourth, E. Y. Beales ; fifth, William H. Burnham ;
sixth, J. W. Swift; seventh, M. L. Bibb; eighth, M. T. Bibb ; ninth,
R. S. Duncan; the present pastor being T. R. Bowles. The church
has a membership of 108, and the Sabbath-school in connection has 75
scholars, A. C. Hudson being superintendent.

M. E. Church South. — This church was organized in the fall of
1859. The original members were Thomas McCleary (class leader),
Peter H. and Sally Bratton, Mrs. Frances G. Robinson, Laura E.
Robinson. The organization was effected at the college building,
under direction of Rev. John Cook. The first sermon preached in
Montgomery City by a Methodist minister was by George Smith, in
Mullen & Bartlett’s building, opposite the depot, in the year 1857.
Soon after W. A. McNeilev held meetings in the freight depot and at
the houses of Thomas Callaway and Mrs. Busby. The church build¬
ing was erected in 1868, in partnership with the Baptists, on two lots
dedicated for that purpose by Benjamin P. Curd and wife. Late in
the fall of 1878 the share of the Baptists was purchased for $125.
The first dedication was conducted by Rev. John D. Vincil. In 1880
the church was rebuilt, the entire cost of its construction exceeding
$1,500. Soon after its completion it was dedicated by Rev. H. H.
Craig. It is believed that the following is a complete list of the
pastors that have ministered to this congregation since the beginning :
John Cook, Bascom Watson, George Smith, Father M. L.Eads, H. H.
Craig, Thompson Penn, J. Y. Blakey, J. F. Shore, — Loving, —
Paine, Henry Kay, L. F. Linn, Henry Kay, and Mr. Lewis, the present
pastor. The present membership is 151. The Sabbath-school has a

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

827

membership of 100 scholars, the superintendent being L. W. English.
The district conference was held at the church in January, 1870.

Episcopal Church. — The Church of the Holy Comforter, of
Montgomery City, was organized about the year 1859. A few of the
original members were Mrs. Addie Worley, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Fannie
Sharp. Not much of the early history of this church can be learned.
At present there are nine regular communicants and 11 members.
Services are held twice a month. The Sabbath-school in connection
has about 20 scholars. In the absence of the rector Mrs. Addie
Worley officiates as superintendent. Miss Anna L. Sharp is clerk of
the church. Since 1869 the pastors have been Revs. J. E. Jackson,
J. N. Chestnut, A. L. Sharp, Joseph R. Gray, C. De L. Allen, who
died November 2, 1881, P. Wagner and George Moore.

After the year 1869 the members composing the congregation of
the Church of the Holy Comforter worshiped without a permanent
place. The rector was Rev. J. E. Jackson. Subsequently they met
in Library Hall, under the Rev. J. N. Chestnut, and for four years in
a chapel fitted up for them and rented from Mr. Thos. Ferguson, on
the corner of Allen and Second streets. After Mr. Chestnut the Rev.
A. T. Sharp was in charge for a few months, and during his ministry
preparations were begun for the erection of a new and permanent
church building. Two beautiful lots of land, on the corner of Walsh
and Allen streets (block 8, Knapp’s addition), were donated by Dr.
H. W. Pocoke, and through the exertions of Mrs. Fannie Sharp and
Mrs. Addie Worley, constituting the soliciting committee, about
$1,500 was raised by subscription and otherwise as a building fund.
A. H. Worley, S. T. Sharp and Dr. Horace W. Pocoke, composing a
building committee, contracted for the erection of a church with D.
C. Wright, of Mexico, an architect and builder, and the work was
begun June 10, 1879, and completed October 11 following. October
26 it was occupied by the Sunday-school, with Dr. Pocoke as super¬
intendent, and Mrs. Fannie Sharp, Mrs. Addie Worley and Mrs.
Carlyle as teachers, with about 30 scholars. The church was dedi¬
cated November 30, 1879, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Robertson, assisted
by Joseph R. Gray, the then minister in charge, and the building
committee.

Presbyterian Church. — This church was organized the first Sab¬
bath in June, 1860, by J. Harrison, D. D., and S. D. Longhead who
were appointed by the Jefferson City Presbytery the previous May.
The original members were Mesdames Caroline M. Hoss, Francis
Bryan, Margaret Alexander, Maria Baird, Elizabeth Watkins, Ann

828

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Case, Mary C. Jasper, Rachel D. Bruner, J. A. Schultz, Mary C.
Yeater, Nancy Hagan, Prudence B. Otta, Angura C. Sailor; Misses
Emma Drake and Esther W. Drake, and Wm. J. Baird, Edward Case
and A. J. Yeater, the last two named being the first elders. The
first accession by profession of faith was Miss Mandv M. Taylor, the
same day of the organization. The church was built about 1866, bv
E. B. Overstreet, the deed for the ground being presented by B. P.
Curd and wife. The building cost about $4,500. It was dedicated
by Rev. J. H. Brookes, of St. Louis. The pastors have been S. D.
Longhead, R. S. Symington, T. C. Smith, B. T. Lacy,E. W. Burke,
- Howison, H. M. Sydenstricker and T. Gallaher, The pre¬
sent membership is 60. No record of meetings between February
24, 1861, and December 25, 1864, and between February 26, 1865,
and January 28, 1866, are to be found ; but it is known that Anna
Gordon and Lucy Gordon united with the church in 1863. The
Sabbath-school has 50 scholars, with J. R. Hance as superintendent.

Christian Church. — The Christian Church of Montgomery City
was organized with 21 members, in April, 1880, by Elder J. H. Har¬
din, who was at this time State Sundav-school Evangelist. Promi-
nent among the first members were E. D. Bethel and wife, J. A.
Simpson and wife, W. D. Clare and wife, and Sisters Bodine, Carson,
McCanns, Herron, Gatewood, Abrams, Caldwell, Sharp, Summers,
Vernette and others. Frank W. Allen was the first pastor and preached
acceptably to the church until the spring of 1881, when Elder Jacob
Hugly was employed, the State board assisting the church in paying
his salarv. At the close of the year, Elder Hugly resigned and Dr.
William Barbee, of Kentucky, was employed, but was soon chosen
to take charge of Wood lawn College, Independence, Mo., and the
church was again left without a pastor, until the spring of 1883, when
Elder W. T. Sallee was called, and is still serving the church.

In the year 1871, Elder Thomas Bates, a student from the Kentucky
University, organized a little band of Disciples in the Methodist
Church, Elder J. H. Thomas being employed to preach. In the fall
of 1872, the congregation gave $500 to the college for the privilege
of preaching there for a term of years, Elder Timothy Ford and J.
H. Healington preaching. After a time, as the college was so re¬
mote, services were held in Library hall. About the year 1879, the
members living out of town asked for letters and organized and built
what is known as Two-Mile Branch Church. The church building is a
frame and was built in 1880. The building, lots and furniture cost
about $1,800. It was dedicated in October, 1881, by Elder Hardin.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

829

The present membership is 50. The Sabbath-school in connection
with the church numbers 35 members ; J. W. Jacks is superinten¬
dent.

Catholic Church. — There is a Catholic Church at Montgomery
City with a large membership, its accomplished pastor being Rev.
Father Head. A history of this church was promised us but we
have been unable to secure it.

PUBLIC SCHOOL.

The Montgomery City public school ( white) is taught in the old
college building, but a new school-house appropriate to the circum¬
stances is contemplated. The faculty for 1884-85 is composed of A.
L. Jenness, principal and teacher in the high school department ;
Miss Mildred A. Nowlin, teacher of “ A ” grammar grade ; Miss Jane
Bryan, teacher in “ B ” grammar grade ; Miss Lilian B. Jones, teacher
in “ C ” and “ D ” grammar grade ; Miss Narcissa Skinner, teacher
in “ A ” and “ B ” primary, and Miss Mary Martin, teacher in “ C ”
and “ D ” primary.

The following is a summary of the report of the white school for
the Montgomery City district for the years 1883-84 : —

School population between six and 20 years, 490 ; number of pupils
enrolled, 403 ; average number attending, 228 ; per cent of enroll¬
ment on school population, 82 ; per cent of attendance on enrollment,
56.5 ; total number of days present, 36,057; total number of days in
session, 160; total number of days taught, 158; number of regular
teachers, 6 ; number of pupils to teacher, 67 ; cost of tuition per pupil
enrolled per year, $4.96; cost of tuition per pupil attending per
year, $8.77 ; average salary per teacher, $41.66 ; amount paid
teachers, $2,000.00 ; number of school rooms, 6 ; number of seats,
300 ; amount paid janitor, $120.00.

SECRET ORDERS.

Montgomery City Lodge No. 246 , A. F. & A. M. — The dis¬
pensation of this lodge was granted in May, 1864, and the char¬
ter bears date May 26, 1865. The first officers and charter mem¬
bers were: J. F. Tippett, master; S. C. Baker and M. Moore,
wardens; Wm. C. Peveler, treasurer ; C. A. McConklin, secretary;
T. P. Hensley and B. R. Hensley, deacons ; J. H. Peveler, tyler.
The lodge has a membership of 45, and the present officers are : W.
Drury, master; Frank Field and Wm. Temple, wardens ; M. N. Mas-
terson, treasurer; A. C. Devinna, secretary; J. F. Tippett and Jno.

830

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Vogt, deacons ; D. Snethen and Walter Caldwell, stewards ; J. W.
Norman, tyler.

Montgomery City Royal Arch Chapter No. 84 — Was instituted
by R. E. Anderson and Frank Gouley. The charter and dispensation
are dated October 8, 1874. The charter members and first officers
were: H. W. Pocoke, high priest; John F. Tippett, king; R. W.
Jones, scribe; B. S. Barnes, principal sojourner; C. P. Evered, sec¬
retary ; J. C. McNeiley, W. W. Jordan and S. S. Nowlin, masters of
the veils; M. N. Mallerson, treasurer ; A. Vogt, secretary; Walter
Caldwell, guard ; F. H. Harrington, J. W. Buck, M. M. Moore, E. B.
Overstreet and Cresap Barker. The present membership is 38, and
the following are the officers: G. W. Varnum, high priest; Andrew
Kirn, scribe ; H. W. Pocoke, king ; John Tippett, captain of the host ;
A. C. Devinna, principal sojourner ; Frank Field, royal arch captain ;
W. H. Goodlove, C. P. Evered and Frank Sabourin, masters of the
veils ; M. N. Mallerson, treasurer ; A. Vogt, secretary ; Walter Cald¬
well, guard.

Relief Lodge No. 142 , A. 0. U. W. — Was instituted by P.
P. Ellis, of New Florence. The charter was granted June 25, 1879.
The first officers and charter members were : H. W. Pocoke, past mas¬
ter workman ; Henry Kay, master workman ; Fletcher Emley, fore¬
man ; A. H. Worley, overseer; David W. Graves, recorder; Irvin P.
Powell, financier; L. A. Thompson, guide; John Best and L. E.
Washington, wardens; H. W. Pocoke, medical examiner. The pres¬
ent officers are: L. E. Washington, past master workman; Jno. W.
Jacks, master workman ; I. C. Short, foreman ; I. P. Powell, over¬
seer; Henry Kay, financier ; J. J. Willie, receiver ; S. M. Ford, guide ;
J. H. Carr and W. T. Taylor, wardens ; A. L. Jenness, recorder.
The present number of members is 36.

Montgomery Lodge No. 123 , I. 0 . O. F. — Nothing of the
history of Montgomery Lodge, No. 123, I. O. O. F., has been learned
except that it was organized in the fall of 1858, and that it surrendered
its charter June 15, 1861. The lodge meets in a brick hall built in
1882. The names of the charter members and first officers, for what
reason the charter was returned, when it was re-issued, etc., and
other items of interest pertaining to its history have not been fur¬
nished, although promised us.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

831

BIOGRAPHICAL.

W. B. ADAMS, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Montgomery City) .

No worthy history of Montgomery county could be written without
including more than a passing mention of the subject of the present
sketch. Dr. Adams is by profession and a lifetime of active practice
a physician, but his activity and usefulness have not been confined
alone to his profession. A physician of prominence he has been and
is at the present time one of the prominent citizens of the county in
public affairs and in the measure of promoting its material and gen¬
eral interests. Dr. Adams is a native Missourian, born in the Floris-
ant valley, in St. Louis county, October 28, 1818. On his father’s
side he came of an old and respected Virginia family, but his mother’s
people, the Allens, were originally of New England — Connecticut.
His father, Burrill B. Adams, came out from Virginia when a young
man and located at St. Louis, becoming the principal manager of
Judge Tucker’s business at that place. While there he was married to
Miss Harriet Allen, and in 1823 removed to St. Charles county. Six
years later he moved to Franklin county, and in 1844 settled in Mont¬
gomery county, locating near Winter’s Mill, but afterwards removed
to Danville, where he resided for many years, and until his death.
He died in 1881 in the eighty-second year of his age. He was
one of the well-known and estimable citizens of the county. His wife,
Dr. Adams’ mother, had preceded him to the grave by nearly 30 years.
They had a family of six children, of whom Dr. Adams was the
eldest. The others were: Bevely T., now of Danville; Joshua B.,
of Jefferson City ; James B., of Wright county ; Carter C., who died
in 1872; two others who died in tender years, and Sophia F., a
maiden lady of the county. Dr. Adams was principally reared in
Franklin county, and after taking a course in the common schools in
that county, entered Marion College when 19 years of age, where he
took a course of three years, familiarizing himself during this time with
the higher English branches and obtaining a general knowledge of Latin
and Greek. After quitting college, in 1843, he immediately entered
upon the study of medicine under Dr. J. I. T. Mcllrov, a leading
physician of Balls county, under whom he prosecuted a regular pre¬
paratory course of study for medical college In 1844 he matricu¬
lated at the medical department of the State University, and was
a graduate in the class of 1846, the first medical class graduated by
that institution. Following this he located at Danville and began the
active practice of his profession. With his marked natural adapt¬
ability for the practice of medicine and his thorough medical training,
together with his well known industry and professional zeal, he soon

832

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

became established as one of the prominent and successful physicians
of the county ; he had the leading practice at Danville up to the outbreak
of the war (by which event he was withdrawn from his profession for
awhile), and after the return of peace he resumed the practice at
that place and continued there until Ahree years ago, when he was
influenced by other considerations to make his home at Montgomery
City. He still retains a large share of his old practice in and around
Danville. Dr. Adams took an active and somewhat prominent part
in the affairs of the war in this section of the State. He has alwavs

had a warm sympathy for those who, by no fault of their own, seem
not to have an equal chance with their fellows in the race of life. In
other words, he is, and has always been, in feeling and sympathy,
and with material help, so far as he could aid them, for the unfortu¬
nate and oppressed, whenever and wherever found. Hence, when
the Republican party sprang into life out of the moral sentiment of
the country against the wrongs of slavery, out of the moral sense of
the world, of humanity, itself, it may be said, he naturally identified
himself with that party, among the first. He was bold, fearless and
outspoken in the expression of his opinions. But such was the mani¬
fest honesty and sincerity of his convictions, and such his high char¬
acter and the esteem in which he was held personally and otherwise,
that he suffered little or no inconvenience among his neighbors for
his political opinions. Esteeming his neighbors himself as much as
any one, and believing that it was as much for the good of the slave¬
holders as for the slaves that slavery should be destroyed, he respected
the rights and interests of all, and until the war came on which ren¬
dered prompt action necessary, believed that emancipation should be
effected by gradual, conservative methods. Holding the views he did,
he came to be regarded as one of the prominent Republicans of North
Missouri. As early as 1856 he was nominated a candidate on the
first Republican State ticket ever ran in the State for the office of
Secretary of State, the ticket headed by Gen. Jas. B. Gardenhire for
Governor. When the war burst upon the country he promptly
dropped every thing else and busied himself with enrolling volunteers
for the Union service. In a short time he was appointed a member
of the board of enrollment for the Ninth Congressional district.
After this he became provost-marshal for this district, with headquar¬
ters at Mexico until 1864, and then at St. Charles until the close of
the war. However, in 1864, he was elected a member of the State
constitutional convention, called to wipe out the slave provisions of
the old State constitution, and to lodge the government of the State
securely in the hands of its loyal citizens — those who were not seek¬
ing to take it out of the Union either by bayonet or ballot. Dr.
Adams was a member of the State convention and won the general
indorsement of the Union element of the State by his manly, fear¬
less course in that body. After this he was elected a member of the
Legislature from Montgomery county, and afterwards, in 1866, was
elected to represent the district composed of the counties of Mont-
gomerv, Lincoln and Pike in the State Senate, defeating Hon. R. A.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

833

Campbell. The war over, and the results of the war firmly se¬
cured by constitutional and legislative enactments, Dr. Adams has
since taken only the ordinary interest of a private citizen in political
affairs. On the 14th of February, 1852, he was married to Miss
Susan B. Drury, a daughter of Charles J. Drury, the first merchant
to engage in business at Danville. She is now deceased. They reared
a family of six children: Charles J., now of Colorado ; Julia S., Dollie,
Leigh Hunt, William B. and Ernest R. or “Ben.” Dr. Adams
has a comfortable residence property at Montgomery City, and other
property in the country. He is one of the respected and influential
citizens of the county.

CHARLES W. BATCHELOR

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Batchelor, though not reared on a farm, has a taste for farm life
which induced him to quit business pursuits and engage in agriculture.
In 1884 he came to Montgomery county from St. Louis, and bought
the place where he now resides, where he went to work farming with
as much apparent understanding of the business and as little fear of
hard labor as if he had been reared a tiller of the soil. He has a neat
place of 136 sucres, about 100 of which are fenced and otherwise
improved. Mr. Batchelor expects to make a specialty of raising and
handling stock, and with his business qualifications, enterprise and
industry, he can hardly fail of making it a success. He is a Kentuck¬
ian by nativity, born at Covington, April 26, 1847. His parents were
Joseph Batchelor, originally of Pennsylvania, and Mary, nee Ashbrook,
a lady of Kentucky birth. Charles W. learned the printer’s trade in
youth, and worked at it for some years in Kentucky, where he was
reared. In 1869 he was married to Mrs. Lida A. Lawrence, a daugh¬
ter of William and Jane Faudree, of Ohio. After his marriage he
came to St. Louis, where his father had before resided for a time,
but not for some years before Charles W. located there. In St. Louis
he engaged in mercantile life, and in 1880 began farming in St. Louis
county. Two years later he came to Montgomery county, as stated
above. Mr. and Mrs. Batchelor have one child, a son, Edwin F.
They have lost one, Etta, who was 16 years of age at the time of her
death, just approaching young womanhood, and a young girl of rare
graces of mind and sweetness of disposition. Her death was a sore
bereavement to her parents, one that seemed too hard to bear, for
their affections were devotedly centered in her young and beautiful
life.

THOMAS W. BRANDT

(Farmer, Fine Stock-raiser and Stock Dealer, Post-office, Montgomery City) .

Men from the Eastern and Northern States have done a great deal
for Missouri since the war in the various industries, in the different
lines of business and generally in nearly every walk of life. The sub¬
ject of the present sketch, reared in New York and for a number of

834

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

years resident of Wisconsin, a farmer and stockman by occupation, is
no exception to the general rule of Northern agriculturists settled in
Missouri. Coming to this State and to Montgomery county in 1871,
he has become well known in the county as one of its leading fine
stockmen and farmers. He has one of the best farms in the county,
kept in first-class condition. Meant mainly for a stock farm, every¬
thing is placed and provided to make the handling of stock the
most convenient, and to keep them in the best possible condition,
with the least trouble and expense. Mr. Brandt has some of the
finest stock to be seen in the county, and believes it far more profit¬
able to raise the best grades, particularly in the line of horses.
He has not less than four fine registered or pedigreed stallions. One
a fine Messenger-Golddust, is a noted trotter, and has a record of a
mile in 2.32V2. Two of the others are thorough-bred French-Nor-
man draft horses, perfect pictures of that noted breed. The other is
a fine two-vear-old Golddust. He also has eight fine thorough-bred
mares, veritable queens of the different breeds which they represent.
His homestead contains 640 acres, and, besides this, he has 960 acres
elsewhere in the countv, making an aggregate of 1,600 acres — one of

7 O o o C 7

the largest land-holders in the county. Mr. Brandt was born in
Rhode Island, in Providence county, May 28, 1831. His father was
Thomas T. Brandt, for a number of years a prominent ship-builder iu
Rhode Island, and later a successful farmer of New York. Mr.
Brandt’s mother was a Miss Mary Garrett before her marriage, also
originally of Rhode Island. The father is still living, at an advanced
age, but well preserved and active. The mother, however, died last
spring and in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Mr. Brandt was reared
on the farm in New York, near Hornellsville, and in 1855 was married
to Miss Elizabeth Stelle, a daughter of Benjamin Stelle, of Pennsyl¬
vania, now deceased, but formerly of New Jersey. After his mar¬
riage he continued to reside in New York until 1856, when he removed
to Wisconsin. From that State he came to Missouri, as stated above,
in 1871. His first wife died in 1875 ; and four of the children she had
borne him are living : Nathan W., now of Los Angelos, Cal. ; Solon
S., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Howard W.,
in the file factory at Joliet, Ill., and Thomas R., engaged in the
patent-right business. To his present wife Mr. B. was married in
1878. She was a Mi ss S. L. Cutter, a daughter of Gilbert Cutter,
formerly of Pennsylvania. They have two children, Jojm C. and
Angie Mav Brandt.

SOLON S. BRANDT

(Stock-dealer, and Proprietor of Brandt’s Livery, Feed and Sale Stables, Montgomery

City). '

Mr. Brandt, a thorough-going, enterprising business man in the
west-central part of the county, is a native of Wisconsin, born at
Janesville, April 15, 1858. He was reared at his place of birth,
where he attended the local schools up to his thirteenth year,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

835

when, in 1870, his father and family removed to Missouri, and
settled on a farm which his father bought in Montgomery county.
Young Brandt grew up on the farm in this county, and in 1878 began
stock trading, in partnership with his father, and handling trot¬
ting stock particularly. He continued this on the farm in connection
with farming interests until he came to Montgomery City in the fall of
1882 and engaged in his present business. Here he continued to
handle stock, mainly horses and mules, in addition to carrying on
his stables. For livery purposes he keeps a full stock and his es¬
tablishment is popular with the public, having a good patronage both
local and transient. Mr. Brandt also handles the Columbus buggies,
for which he is sole agent at this point, and for which there is a large
demand. He brings on this make of buggies by the car load and
keeps a full assortment constantly on hand. March 21, 1881, he was
married to Miss Emma Sharp, a daughter of Dr. D. F. Sharp, of this
city. They have an interesting little son, James Leonard.

THOMAS H. BRITT

(Farmer, Fine Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Montgomery City) .

Mr. Britt, who has one of the best stock farms in the county, a
handsome place of 735 acres, started out in life for himself when a
young man practically without a dollar in money and with only a
horse, saddle and bridle, besides his wearing apparel, And although
he is hardly yet more than a middle-aged man, he has made every
dollars’ value of property he is worth by his own industry, energy
and good management. Mr. Britt is not only one of the leading
farmers and progressive stockmen of this part of the county, but one
of its highly respected, valued citizens as well. He is doing much
for the county in introducing good grades of stock, and is raising fine
short-horn cattle, pure-blooded Poland-China and Chester- White hogs.
He also feeds and deals in stock to a considerable extent. Mr. Britt
was the eldest son of Tandy H. and Martha J. Britt, early settlers
of Montgomery county from Virginia. The father had been previ¬
ously married, and by both unions there were 14 children. He died
in 1852. Five of the children are living: Marv Bethel, Sarah Pow¬
ell, Granville O., Virginia and Thomas H., the subject of this sketch.
He was born in this county July 2, 1839, and was reared a farmer.
In 1863, then about 24 years of age, he went to California, and was
engaged in sheep-raising for some five years. He then returned to
Montgomery county and bought the farm where he now resides. In
1869 he was married to Miss Malissa Stewart, a daughter of Osborn
and Elizabeth Stewart, of this county, but formerly of Virginia. Mr.
and Mrs. Britt have four children : Wallace L., Avlett T., Emmet C.
and Julia K. Three are deceased, two in infancy and Denard V.,
who died in his third year. Mrs. B. is a member of the Primitive
Baptist Church, and is a lady of marked intelligence and culture.
She was educated at the New Florence Academy and Franklin Female
College, of St. Louis.

836

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

E. R. BROWN

(Of Devinna & Brown, Dealers in Notions and Variety Goods, Montgomery City).

Mr. Brown, for two terms collector of Montgomery county and a
well-do-do, progressive agriculturist, as well as an enterprising busi¬
ness man, is a Virginian by nativity, born in Albemarle county
September 14, 1833. His parents were Bezaleel and Elizabeth (Price)
Brown. His mother was of a branch of the Price family of Virginia
from which sprang Gen. Thomas Price, of this State. E. R. was
reared in Virginia, and came to Missouri in 1856 and engaged in farm¬
ing. On the 18th of April, 1880, he was married to Miss Lydia J.
Harper, a daughter of Col. C. B. Harper, of this county, referred to
in the sketch of Charles D. Harper elsewhere in this volume. Mr.
Brown became identified with Col. Harper in business in Montgomery
county, and was connected with him for about seven years. In 1861
he enlisted in the Southern service under Gov. Jackson’s call for the
State Guard. He served out the term of his enlistment — six months.
After this he was at home until 1864, when he rejoined the Southern
army under Price, and was out until the close of the war, participat¬
ing: in numerous battles during: both terms of his service. After the
surrender he was in St. Louis until late in the fall of 1865, and then
resumed farming in Montgomery county. In 1878 he became the
Democratic candidate for county collector, and was successful. He
was again elected to the same position, and in all served for four years.
Mr. Brown made an efficient and popular collector. He has continued
his farming operations all the time, notwithstanding other interests
and duties which have required his attention. He has an excellent
farm of 260 acres about four miles west of Montgomery City. Mr.
Brown came to Montgomery City in 1883 and engaged in his present
business during the summer of that year. The firm does business on
the cash principle, both buying and selling, and are therefore able to
sell their goods at the lowest possible figures consistent with good,
safe business management. They have an adopted daughter, Miss
Laura J., now a young lady.

PAUL BROWN

(President of Lacy & Brown Tobacco Co.).

The tobacco business has engaged most of Mr. Brown’s time and
energy from youth. He came to Montgomery City in this line in
1880, as a member of the firm of Lacy & Brown, and they then
erected a large factory building and entered actively and extensively
upon buying, putting up and shipping tobacco. In 1881, the present
stock company was incorporated, F. H. Lacy, P. Brown, L. W.
English, and A. C. Hudson being the original incorporators, and Mr.
Brown was elected president of the company. Under the new system
of management, the business has had a steady and substantial growth,
and they now put up from 450,000 to 500,000 pounds of tobacco

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

837

annually. This has proven a valuable interest to Montgomery City,
and has done much for the importance of the place as a business cen¬
ter. Mr. Brown comes of an old North Carolina family of that name,
though his father, Warner Brown, lived a part of his life and died in
Arkansas, and he, himself, was born in the latter State. Warner
Brown was married three times and reared three families of children,
twenty-four in all. Paul Brown was by his father’s third wife, who
was a Miss Annie Spain when a young lady, originally of Culpeper
county, Va., when his father married her. He was the twenty-first
of his father’s children and was born in Union county, Ark., August
20, 1848. In youth he attended the district schools, and also a select
male school of Eldorado, Ark. From there he entered the Wesleyan
College, Warren ton, Mo., where he remained one year. After this,
he worked in a tobacco factory for a short time, and then became a
traveling salesman for the firm of W. H. Mizzy & Co., of Wentzville,
Mo. Since that time to the present, he has been engaged in the
tobacco business (with a few digressions into farming, merchandising,
etc.), either as salesman, proprietor, or manufacturer. He has had
one or two reverses resulting from fire and other causes, but on the
whole, his career has resulted successfully. Mr. Brown is a man of
good education, superior business qualifications, thoroughly enter¬
prising, and of sterling character and trustworthiness. He stands
high in the esteem of all who know him, and is justly popular with
all. He has been married twice. In 1868 he was married to Miss
Annie Hudson, a daughter of J. W. Hudson, of Warren county, Mo.
She died in 1881, having borne him six children ; five of these are liv¬
ing. September 6, 1882, he was married to Miss Florence Clare, a
daughter of Dr. Clare, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Mr.
and Mrs. Brown have one child. He and wife are both church mem¬
bers and much esteemed as members of society in Montgomery City
and vicinity.

GEORGE W. BRUNER

(Of Lewis & Bruner, General Real Estate and Loan Agents, Montgomery City).

Mr. Bruner, an energetic and progressive business man of Mont¬
gomery City, is a son of that highly respected and worthy old citizen
of this place, ’Squire David Bruner. The family came originally from
New York, where ’Squire Bruner was reared, and in 1844 was married
to Miss Rachel E. Salisbury. Of this union George W. was born in
Cayauga county, N. Y., October 1, 1845. When he was five years of
age his parents removed to Huron county, O., and lived there until
1854, when they came to Missouri. ’Squire Bruner bought a quarter
of a section of land near Montgomery City, which had then just been
laid off and platted as a town. He improved his land and resided on
his farm until he came to Montgomery City, where he became post¬
master, a position he held for over 20 years. George W. was about
14 years of age when the family came to town, and he remained here
attending school, clerking, etc., until he was about 20 years old. The

838

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

last two years of this time, however, he was engaged in the tin and
hardware business on his own account. He then sold out and went to
Kansas City, where he became book-keeper for a large English pork¬
packing house, a position he held for two years. After this he
engaged in the grocery business in Lafayette county, and two years
later went to Lincoln county. In 1871 he went to Sherman, Texas,
where he obtained a position in a cotton commission house. From
there he returned to Montgomery City, and in 1877 established his
present real estate business. The following year Mr. H. C. Lewis
was admitted to a partnership in the business, and since then they
have conducted it together. They have been satisfactorily successful
in their business, and have a large amount of fine land for sale in the
vicinity of Montgomery City and throughout the surrounding country.
They are also the agents for heavy Eastern capitalists in the loan
business, and are prepared to supply applicants who have good security,
on terms alike just and fair to lender and borrower. June 18, 1879,
Mr Bruner was married to Miss Jennie A. Welch, a daughter of Gen.
Aikman Welch, an eminent lawyer of Western Missouri and former
Attorney-General of the State, but who has been dead for many
years. Mrs. Bruner was born and reared at Warrensburg, Mo., and
received an advanced general education, as well as taking a thorough
course in music. She was a teacher of instrumental music in the
Montgomery City College for some time prior to her marriage. Mr.
and Mrs. B. are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

“ THE BUSBYS

(Dealers in Stoves, Tinware, House Furnishing Goods, Etc., Etc., Etc., Montgomery

City) .

The Busby brothers have been long and favorably known to the
people of Montgomery City and surrounding country as thoroughly
reliable and accommodating business men. The present firm was
formed in September, 1882. They carry an excellent stock of goods
in their line and command a good trade, which is steadily increasing
with the growth of the country and the improvement of Mont¬
gomery City. Francis M. Busbv was born at Palmyra February
27, 1847, and James P. at Fulton, February 3, 1836. They are
sons of Lewis Busby and wife, who was a Miss Eliza McClanahan before
her marriage. The family came to Missouri in about 1835 and
located at Fulton, but the father is now settled on a farm in this
county ; he is a cabinet maker by trade and followed that for many
years. James P. received a common-school education as he grew up
and after starting out for himself until 1856 was engaged in differ-
ent pursuits ; he and George Bruner then formed a partnership at
Montgomery City in his present line of business, and his brother,
Francis M., learned the tinner’s trade under him. Later along
Bruner retired from the firm and Francis M. succeeded to his inter¬
ests. In 1871 they sold out, but in about a year afterwards Kemp &
Busby (James P.) succeeded to the business. They carried it on for

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

839

two years, and then Dr. Varnum bought Kemp’s interest, the firm
becoming J. P. Busby & Co. In 1876 James P. sold out to Dr.
Varnum, and after this the firm underwent different changes, until
finally the business came back into the hands of the Busby brothers
in the fall of 1882, as stated above. During much of the time
included between the above dates Francis M. was engaged in paint¬
ing, and for two years he was clerking for Gordon & Hance. During
this time, also, they were burned out in business once, suffering a
heavy loss. Both brothers are married. Francis M. was married
January 12, 1876, to Miss Wenowa Mallerson, a daughter of M. N.
Mallerson, of this city. They have one child, Francis M. Mrs. B.
is a member of the M. E. Church South and Mr. B. of the Presbyterian
Church. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. James P. Busby
was married September 11, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Alexander, a
daughter of Col. William K. Alexander. She died November 11,
1881, leaving three children : Effie T., who is now the wife of Rocky
Uptegrove, of Moberly ; Leonidas A., now in Colorado, and William
L., still at home.

WALTER CALDWELL, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Montgomery City).

The Caldwell family is one of the old and highly respected families
of this part of the State. Different members of the family came
out to North Missouri from Kentucky in a very early day and
settled in Pike, Ralls and several other counties. It is now one of
the most numerous families in these counties, and its members
almost invariably occupy worthy and respected positions in society.
The family is of Virginia origin in this country, and came to
America from England. The branch of the family to which Dr.
Caldwell belongs was represented by Dr. James D. Caldwell, who
came from Kentucky in about 1820 and located at New London, where
he engaged in the practice of medicine. He resided there for many
years and until his death was a leading physician of the county. His
wife was a Miss Eliza L. Briggs, also from Kentucky. Of their
family of children they reared five are living, namely: James D.,
now of Shelby county ; Martha, now Mrs. Charles C. Carter, of New
London ; Maretta, now Mrs. Thomas Penn, of Hazelhurst, Miss. ;
Malinda, now Mrs. Joseph Brown, of New London, and the Doctor,
the subject of this sketch. Reared at New London, Dr. Caldwell
received a good common English education, and a young man in his
twenty-first year at the outbreak of the Mexican War, he enlisted in
the army under Col. Willock, of Price’s command. He was in the
service for about 18 months, and at Santa Fe., N. M., he was appointed
sergeant-commissary and quartermaster for the battalion, a position
he held for six or seven months, or until the close of his service.
He was for some time stationed at Taos, N. M., where he was en¬
gaged in furnishing supplies for the troops and fighting Indians and
Mexicans. Returning home in 1847, sometime afterward he began the

840

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

study of medicine under Drs. Brown & Anderson, and in 1849 entered
the Missouri Medical college, from which he graduated in 1851. He
then located at Hannibal, but in the fall of 1852 went to Wisconsin,
where he was successfully engaged in the practice for about seven
years. Returning to Missouri he located at Middletown, and con-
tinued there for 14 years, building up a large practice and taking
a position among the leading physicians of the county. During the
war, or rather at its first outbreak, Dr. Caldwell joined the Southern
army under Gov. Jackson’s call, and was appointed regimental surgeon,
but was afterwards taken prisoner before he was able to join his com¬
mand. He was taken to St. Louis and required to do the medical
practice of Myrtle Street prison for a time. He was then taken to
Alton and made prison physician at that place, being himself of course
a prisoner all that time, but was allowed the freedom of the city.
Some six months after his capture he was released on a $5,000 bond,
and took no further part in the war, but resumed his practice at Mid¬
dletown. On the 28th of February, 1851, he was married to Miss
Sarah J. Burford, of Pike county. They have reared a family of four
children: Eliza L., now Mrs. John F. Summers; James A., Buford
C., of Texas; Dakota and Mollie P. Dr. Caldwell came to Mont¬
gomery City in 1873, and for the last 11 years has been actively en¬
gaged in the practice at this place. He is one of the leading
physicians of Montgomery City, and, indeed, of the county, and has
an extensive and highly reputable practice. He is now serving his
sixth term as coroner of the county. He is also a prominent member
of the State, County and District Medical Societies. Dr. Caldwell is
a gentleman of character and influence, an able and successful physi¬
cian, and a man and neighbor who is highly respected by all.

WILLIAM N. CASON

(Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, etc., Montgomery City).

Dr. Cason, who has been engaged in the drug business continu¬
ously at Montgomery City for the last fifteen years, and is the
oldest druggist, in duration of business, at this place, is well known
to the people of this and surrounding counties. He carries a large
and well selected stock of drugs, medicines, paints, oils and drug¬
gists’ sundries, and has a large and well established trade. He is
justly popular with the public both as a business man and as a citizen
and neighbor, and has been quite successful as a druggist; and in
a field where he has witnessed the failure or retirement of nearly
50 others, he alone has stood the test of time and has made his
business an established success. In the preparation of prescriptions
he is particularly safe and efficient, and on this account is largely patron¬
ized by the physicians of Montgomery City and in the territory tribu¬
tary to this place. Dr. Cason is a native Kentuckian, born in Har¬
rison county, February 2, 1839. His parents were Granville and
Matilda (Williams) Cason, both of old and respected Kentucky
families. He was educated in Kentucky, taking a course at Williams-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

841

town Academy, both in the higher English branches and in Latin
and Greek. He then engaged in the drug business at Williamstown,
and during his leisure at the same time read medicine ; and also
soon afterwards resumed the drug business, which latter finally re¬
quired his whole time and attention. In 1869 he emigrated to Mis¬
souri, locating in Montgomery City. Here he has since been
successfully engaged in the same line of business. December 13,
1868, Dr. Cason was married in Grant county, Ky., to Miss Addie
De Jarnette. They have a family of three children: Arthur L.,
Hugh N. and Harry G. Mrs. C. is a member of the Christian
Church. The Doctor is a prominent member of the local Odd
Fellows’ lodge, and is treasurer of the lodge. Dr. Cason is at this
time erecting a handsome dwelling on the corner of Sixth and Sturgeon
streets, which, when completed, will be one of the most commodious,
comfortable and tastily built residences in Montgomery City. He
also owns his business house, an excellent two-story brick building.
Dr. Cason is one of the public-spirited citizens of the place, and is
ever to the front to help along by his counsel, personal exertion and
means, any and all movements calculated to promote the best interests,
material or otherwise, of Montgomery City and the surrounding
country.

JOHN E. CHADWICK

(Montgomery City).

Mr. Chadwick, one of the successful business men of Montgomery
City, engaged in the grocery business here in 1877, on a small capi¬
tal, but by close attention to business, fair dealing and enterprise,
succeeded in building up one of the substantial business houses of this
place. Mr. Bibb became his partner in 1883, and they continued until
the fall of 1884. Mr. Chadwick is the present mayor of Montgomery
City, having been chosen to this office at the spring election, but
without any effort on his part. His election, however, was a compli¬
ment to him as an evidence of the high esteem in which he is held
by his neighbors and fellow-townsmen. He was also appointed jus¬
tice of the peace in the summer of 1882. He is a New Englander by
nativity, and was born at Hanover, N. H., April 29, 1852,

and was the son of B. B. and Mary N. (Hutchins) Chadwick. While
he was yet in tender years his parents removed to Wisconsin, and
afterwards to Chicago, Galesburg, Kansas City, and finally to Law¬
rence, Kan., where they resided for a number of years. At the age of
16 John E. left Lawrence and engaged in work for the telegraph com¬
pany, and for nearly ten years afterwards was in their employ. He
is a practical telegraph operator, but was also engaged for some time
as superintendent of construction of telegraph lines. He constructed
lines along different railroads, including the St. Joe & Denver, the
Kansas Pacific, the M. K. & T., the Wabash, and others. In 1875
he had charge of the office at Montgomery City as operator, but re¬
tired from the telegraph business two years later. December 3, 1877,

842

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

he was married to Miss Elizabeth L. Spin shy, a daughter of Maj.
Henry Spinsby, of Montgomery City. Mr. and Mrs. C. have three
children, May E., Lottie M. and John E. Mrs. C. is a member of
the Catholic Church.

F. S. CLARE, M. D.

(Retired Physician and Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

In the sketch of Dr. Clare’s brother, Walden G. Clare, of Bear
Creek township, something of an outline of their family history is
given, so that it is unnecessary to repeat here what is said there. The
children of the family, besides himself, were Francis, still of Lincoln
county ; Jacob, who died in 1849, at the age of 35 ; Thomas, who
died at the age of 21, in 1844; John S., a resident of Montgomery
county; William, who died at the age of 50, in 1870; Margaret, who
died whilst the wife of Armisted Uptegrove, but who had previously
been married and lost her first husband, Hiram Palmer; Susan, who
died whilst the wife of J. W. Jamison, and Horatio, a resident of
Lincoln county. Dr. Clare, the sixth of the family, was born on the
family homestead in Lincoln county, February 11, 1833, and like his
brothers was brought up to a farm life. In 1853, then a young
man 20 years of age, he came to Montgomery county and put himself
under the instruction of Dr. Pearson, a leading physician of this
county, as a student of medicine. After a thorough course of read¬
ing under Dr. Pearson, he matriculated at the St. Louis Medical
College in 1854, and was graduated with marked credit in the class
of ’56. After his graduation Dr. Clare located at Middletown and

i — /

engaged in the practice of his profession. Thoroughly qualified as a
physician, he built up a large practice which kept him in the saddle
most of the time. Not a man of the most vigorous constitution, the
hardships and burdens of his practice began to tell seriously^ on his
general health, so that after about 10 years of hard work in the pro¬
fession he was compelled to seek rest in retirement. In order not to
be idle he engaged in merchandising at Middletown, and continued
that with success for 10 or 12 years. In 1872 he was nominated and
elected to the responsible office of county collector, and two years
later he was elected circuit clerk of the county^ serving in the two
positions for a period of six years. While in office he necessarily
resided at the county seat, Danville. On laying down the ensignia
of office in 1878, he removed to Montgomery City, and engaged in
merchandising at this place. Afterwards he retired to his farm near
Montgomery City, where he has since been occupied with the inter¬
ests of his place. He has a handsome farm of 320 acres in his
homestead. Dr. Clare has been married twice. His first wife was
a Mi ss Hannah C. Hogue, a daughter of Samuel Hogue, of Middle-
town. To her he was married in 1856. She died in 1882, and had
borne him five children : Floy, who is now the wife of Paul Brown ;
Minnie, now the wife of Warry Palmer; Fulton and Montrose. Dr.
Clare’s present wife was a Miss Manda On*. She was a daughter of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

843

Philip Orr, of Middletown. They have been married less than a year.
The Doctor is a member of the Christian Church ; his wife is a
Methodist.

JUDGE WILLIAM CLARK

(General Livery Business, Montgomery City).

Judge Clark has been a resident of Montgomery county for 17
years, and his life here has been one of marked energy and industry,
directed by good business judgment and not without the rewards that
usually attend such activity. He has been largely interested in grain
shipping besides farming. A man of thorough intelligence, good
judgment and excellent business qualifications, as well as a man in
whom the people have implicit confidence, in 1876 he was elected to
the office of presiding justice of the county court, a position he held
for four years, and the duties of which he discharged with efficiency
and ability, and with general satisfaction to the public. Judge Clark
is a native of Ireland, born in county Westmeath, in December, 1830,
and was a son of Patrick and Margaret (Killmeary) Clark, the ances¬
try of each of whom had been settled in Ireland as far back as the
family records can be traced. When a lad seven years of age, how
ever, he was taken by some relatives in Scotland to rear, and grew to-
manhood in that country. When about 22 years of age, he came to
America, and for some years made his home in St. Louis. There he
was employed at teaming, and afterwards in a commission house.
Later along he engaged in the grocery trade and made gratifying pro¬
gress in obtaining a start in life. He continued business in St. Louis
with success until 1867, when he had accumulated some considerable
means. From that city he came to High Hill and engaged in the
retail grocery trade, having for partners R. T. Matthews and James
Conran. In a few years he bought Conran out, and subsequently
bought out the interest of Matthews in the firm, and then carried on
the business alone until 1876. Meanwhile, in the fail of 1856, he was
married, Mrs. Ellen Dullard, a widow lady, becoming his wife. She
died in the fall of 1878, leaving a son by her first marriage, whom the
judge has reared, and one by her last marriage, William H., the
Judge’s only son. In 1876 his step-son became his partner in busi¬
ness, and two years later William H. also became a partner, the firm
now taking the name of William Clark & Sons. Thus it continued
for four years, when the Judge retired from the firm, his sons continu¬
ing it under the name of Clark Bros. While merchandising at High
Hill, Judge Clark was also engaged in handling tobacco, and was an
extensive grain buyer and shipper of hay. He was likewise engaged
in handling railroad timber, buying timbered land for that purpose
and establishing saw mills, of which latter he had several. He also
dealt in lands, and he still has some valuable mineral lands. He owns
a fine farm near High Hill, which he has had run for a number of
}rears, and he has another excellent place in the county. Judge Clark
and Mr. Woolfolk formed a partnership in the livery business in June

844

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

of the present year, and are successors to Scott Kimble. Judge Clark
was married a second time, in the fall of 1881, Mrs. Nancy J. Love¬
lace becoming his wife, the widow of Judge Walter Lovelace, deceased,
who was a member of the Supreme Court at the time of his death.
She was a daughter of the Hon. Mr. Bush, of this countv. Mrs. C.
is a member of the Baptist Church, and he is a member of the Catho¬
lic Church. They are highly esteemed residents of Montgomery
City.

HENRY CLARK,

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, and Breeder of Thoroughbred Short-horn

Cattle, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Clark was born and reared in this county, and was a son of
Henry Clark, Sr., a pioneer settler of the county, and one of its
successful farmers and stockmen. The latter was the first sheriff of
Montgomery county, and executed the sentence of death on the first
criminal ever hung within its borders under the forms of law. He
was quite an active and prominent man in his day, and accumulated
a comfortable fortune, leaving a large estate at his death, in 1841.
He was a Virginian by nativity, and, indeed, he remained in his native
State until after his marriage. His wife was a Miss Katharine Jacob
before her marriage, also of Virginia. Thev came to Missouri in
1831, and settled in the southern part of Montgomery county. There
Mr. Clark, Sr., improved a large farm and engaged, somewhat ex¬
tensively, in raising and handling stock, He was one of the promi¬
nent slave-holders of the countv, and also became a large land-owner.
In youth, his educational opportunities had been better than those of
the generalitv of young men among whom he was reared. Henrv
Clark, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was born on his father’s home¬
stead in the southern part of the county, January 29, 1841. He was
reared on the farm and given excellent advantages for an education,
having the benefit of a course at the Missouri State University, and
of one, also, at St. Louis. After concluding his studies, Mr. Clark
returned home and engaged in farming and stock-raising on the old
family homestead. February 22, 1863, he was married to Miss Fan¬
nie, a daughter of Col. D. D. Mitchell, deceased, late of St. Louis.
Two years after his marriage, he removed to the farm on which he
now resides, a mile north of Montgomerv Citv. Here he has a fine

tract of 400 acres, all under fence, and otherwise in an excellent state
of improvement. Mr. Clark is quite extensive!}7 engaged in raising
and handling stock in a general way, and, in addition, he is making a
specialty of fine short-horn cattle, a breed of which he has some of the
best representatives to be seen in the county. His farm is exception¬
ally well adapted to stock-raising. Mr. Clark also still owns the old
family homestead in the southern part of the county, a tract of about

800 acres of land He also has some 400 acres in the vicinitv of his
present homestead ; nearly all of his lands are improved and either
in cultivation or used for stock pastures. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have
a family of 10 children, namely: Mary M., Katharine M., Susan C.,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

845

Henry, Jr., Martha E., Ninette, Georgia and Arthur (twins), Christy
and Myrtle. Mr. Clark, himself a man of education and culture,
fully appreciates the value and importance of early mental training in
the schools, and is seeing to it that his own children are not permitted
to grow up without good educational advantages. His eldest daughter
is a graduate of a female institution of learning of high reputation in
St. Louis, and she has also been given the benefit of foreign travel,
having just returned from a somewhat extended tour in Europe. Mr.
Clark also takes an active and commendable interest in public affairs,
and is one of the leading men of the county in politics, and as a private
citizen. He has never sought nor desired any official advancement
for himself, but has exerted himself solely that none but worthy men
and correct principles should prevail in public affairs. In political
conviction and affiliation he is a Democrat, and has represented his
party from time to time in its different conventions. Mr. and Mrs.
Clark are members of the Episcopal Church.

JOHN C. DARNELL, M. D.

rOf Varnette & Darnell, Physicians and Surgeons, Montgomery City).

Dr. Darnell, of the above-named firm, was born in St. Charles
county, May 29, 1849, and was reared in the vicinity of Wentzville.
At an early age he discovered a taste for medical study and read such
books as he could avail himself of in that direction. At the age of
14 he decided to make a physician of himself and began the regular
study of medicine at home. Later along he put himself under the
instruction of Dr. Northcutt, a successful alopathic physician of
Lincoln county, and during this time was engaged in the drug busi¬
ness at Fairview, in that county. In 1877 he engaged in the drug
business at Americus and continued the study of medicine at that
place under Dr. Bibb, an eclectic physician. A few years later he
sold his drug business in order to attend medical college at St. Louis,
where he took a course in the American Medical College. From
there he went to Kansas, and on examination for admission became a
member of the Kansas State Medical Society, being located at the
time at Hollywood, in Ellsworth county, in the practice. After about
18 months at Hollywood he returned to St. Louis and took two more
terms in the American Medical College, from which he graduated in
1882. The following November he became a partner with Dr.
Varnette at Montgomery City. From Dr. Darnell’s long and close
study of medicine and from his experience at medical college, as well
as his success in the practice, it goes without saying that he is a
physician of thorough qualifications and ripe scholarship. Drs.
Varnette & Darnell are said to have a larger practice than any firm in
the county. Dr. Darnell was a son of Jesse A. and Susan F. (Sulli¬
van) Darnell, a daughter of Jeremiah Sullivan, her father originally
of Virginia, as was also her husband. He had been previously
married to a Miss Lizzie Hutchinson, who died, however, soon after¬
wards. He died at Mechanicsville, St. Charles county, in 1872. He

846

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

followed both merchandising and contracting and building, the last
named during the later years of his life. The Doctor’s mother is still
living- at Wentzville.

A. C. DEVINNA

(Of Devinna & Brown, Dealers in Dry Goods, Notions, etc., Montgomery City).

Mr. Devinna has been engaged in business in Montgomery City on his
own account since 1880, though he has been known to the people of this
place and vicinity in the mercantile line for the last 10 years. Merchan¬
dizing has been his occupation, either as clerk or proprietor, since
before he attained his majority. He commenced as a clerk at Ver¬
sailles, Mo., some 15 years ago, and in 1875 came to Montgomery
City in the employ of Mr. W. H. Godlove, for whom he had been
previously clerking about two years, and with whom he continued at
this place for five years afterwards. In 1880 he engaged in merchan¬
dising for himself, with John Barker as a partner. Afterwards, that
firm was dissolved and he started in business alone. In a short time
Mr. C. D. Harper became his partner. After their dissolution the
present firm of Devinna & Brown was organized, Mr. E. R. Brown
being the other member of the firm. They carry an excellent stock
in their line and have a good and steadily increasing trade. Their
house is one of the substantial and popular business houses of Mont¬
gomery City. In the fall of 1878 Mr. Devinna was married to Miss
Nannie E. Harper, of this city, a daughter of A. Harper, formerly
editor of the Standard. Mrs. D. was educated at the Montgomery
City College. They have three children : Maurice, Frank and Bertha.
Mrs. D. is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Devinna is a
member of the Chapter and Blue Lodge of the Masonic order. He
is also city clerk and assessor, and has been for the last three years .
Mr. Devinna was a son of John and Elizabeth (Lampton) Devinna,
formerly of Howard county, but his father originally of Tennessee.
In 1847 the family settled near Versailles, in Morgan county, where
A. C. was reared. He was born in Howard county, November 6,
1845, and educated in the Belle Aire Institute, of Cooper county. He
then began clerking in a store at Versailles.

FREDERICK H. DRYDEN

(An Old Settler and Retired Farmer, Montgomery City).

If anything approaching a satisfactory sketch of the life and family
antecedents of the subject of the present brief mention were written,
it would necessarily include a long and interesting chain of facts

%* o *

intimately interwoven with the history of the countv. The family
of which Mr. Dryden is a representative is well known to be one
of the pioneer and most highly respected families of the county.
His parents, Judge Nathaniel Dryden and wife, nee Miss Margaret
Craig, came to this countv awav back in the Twenties.” Thev
were from Washington county, Va., of which Judge Dryden had been

O */ 7 o ~

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

847

a leading and influential citizen. He had held different official posi¬
tions of local prominence in the county, and had represented it with
distinction in the State Legislature. On coming to Montgomery
county, he settled near High Hill, where he bought land and after¬
wards entered additional tracts on which he improved a valuable
farm. In Montgomery county he became quite prominent in its
affairs. He was early elected a judge of the county court and after¬
wards served as sheriff of the county. Again he was placed on the
county bench by the voice of the people, and for a number of years
he was presiding justice of the county court. In the later years of
his life he was a victim to great physical suffering and died at his
farm near High Hill in 1858. The life of none of its citizens reflects
greater credit upon the history of the county than that of Judge Dry-
den. He and his good wife were blessed with a family of 13 children,
seven of whom lived to become the heads of families themselves, and
all highly respected residents of their respective communities. Among
the others is Judge John D. S. Dryden, the second son, a distinguished
lawyer of St. Louis, and for a term one of the ousted judges of the
Supreme Court of the State. Frederick H. Dryden, the subject of
this sketch, was born in Washington county, Va., July 8, 1812,
and was therefore quite a youth when the family came to Missouri.
He became a farmer by occupation and on the 11th of January, 1838,
was married to Miss Catherine Sharp, a daughter of Mr. James F.
Sharp, a pioneer settler of Warren county. Mr. Dryden lived on
the farm with his father until he was 23 years of age, when he went
to St. Louis, where he spent two years, engaged most of the time at
milling. This was prior to his marriage, and two years following
this event he lived with his father-in-law, J. F. Sharp, in Warren
county, near Pinckney ; he then improved a farm near High Hill,
where he remained successfully engaged in farming pursuits until
1869. However, during this time he was also for four years engaged
in merchandising, and handling stock on a small scale. In 1870 he
improved a farm four and a half miles east of Montgomery City,
where he resided for 10 years ; he then came to Montgomery City
to spend the remainder of his days in comparative retirement and
take the rest which advancing years and the life of unremitting indus¬
try render necessary. Mr. and Mrs. Dryden have had a family of 10
children, namely : James F., now in Texas ; Mary, Mrs. P. M. Audrain,
of Eldorado Springs; Margaret, who died in young maidenhood;
Catherine, now the wife of Judge Henry Parker, of Warrenton ;
Jane, a young lady at home ; Nathaniel, a resident of Texas ; Alice,
who died in tender years ; Susan, Mrs. Charles Winnegar; Artemus,
who has charge of the farm, and Robert, a practicing physician of
Lafayette county. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Presbyte¬
rian Church. Before the war Mr. Dryden was Whig in politics, but
since that time he has acted with the Democratic party.

848

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CAPT. DANIEL L. DUFFY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office Montgomery City).

Capt. Daffy is a man whose life has been one of more than ordi¬
nary activity and interest, both in the management of his affairs and
in the care of himself and family, and now in his old age he is pos¬
sessed of a comfortable estate which enables him to live in easy re¬
tirement, notwithstanding he has met with heavy losses, resulting
from the generosity of his nature and his over-confidence in friends.
Nearly half a century of Capt. Duffy’s life was spent on the sea,
where indeed he was born, and on the river. Reared on the ocean,
by his efficiency and fidelity in seafaring life, he rose from the humblest
position of an apprentice to the command of a vessel. Before quitting
the sea he was captain of different vessels, and became known as one
of the most capable and faithful commanders on the water. Capt. Duffy
was of Irish parentage, and his father, Capt. Charles Duffy, was an old
and well known sea captain. Capt. Duffy, Sr. , was reared in Ireland
and educated fora priest, receiving an advanced university education,
including a thorough course in ancient classics. But he conceived a
distaste for the sanctuary, and earlv went to sea. He followed sea-
faring for a number of years, principally as commander of a ship, and
latterly he owned his own vessel, the 44 Mary Ann.” But, finally,
he left the sea and settled in America, first settling in Pennsylvania,
but ultimately, in 1848, in Warren county, Mo. He died there
in 1857. His first wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch,
was a Miss Marv McNichol, a daughter of Daniel McNichol, and of
Irish birth. She died when Daniel L. (Capt. Duffy, Jr.), was vet
quite young. Daniel L. Duffy was born on his father’s ship, the
44 Marv Ann,” in Delaware river, opposite Wilmington, November
21, 1810. At the early age of 7 years he entered upon his career as
a sailor, and he continued it until after he was grown to mature man-
hood. In 1834 he was married to Miss Catherine Roach, her father
for many years afterwards a well known citizen of St. Louis. About
the time of his marriage, or a short time before, Capt. Duffy, Jr.,
quit the sea and went on the river. He became a pilot on the Mis¬
sissippi, and ran the river for over thirty years. He accumulated a
respectable fortune and retired from the river in 1867. Meanwhile
Capt. Duffy had lost his first wife, in 1850. She had borne him
seven children, namety : Walter, who died in boyhood; Charles J.,
now a pilot on the Mississippi ; Bernard D., an engineer on the Mis¬
souri ; Daniel J., a resident of Chattannooga, Tenn. ; James J., who
has charge of the farm in this county, and Mary and Eliza, both of
whom died in infancy. In 1851 Capt. Duffy was married to Mrs.
Margaret Angevine, of St. Louis, a niece of Alexander McNair, the

1 - • o 7 7

first Governor of Missouri. Five children are the fruits of this union:
Maggie C., Lewis A., Joseph A. and Stella M. In 1858, having
bought a handsome homestead in Montgomery county in the mean-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

849

time, Capt. Duffy removed his family to his farm in this county.
Nine years later, as stated above, he also came to the farm. He has
a fine homestead of about 500 acres, handsomely improved, one of
the best farms in the county, and besides this he has other valuable
property. He served four years and nine months in the War of the
Rebellion as pilot in the Mississippi squadron.

EDWIN S. EAMES

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City). 9

Mr. Eames is a native of England, born in the county of Hereford,
on the 7th of January, 1852, a son of John and Sarah Ann Eames,
of that county, who, in company with his father, Samuel Eames, who
was born in the town of Bristol, Monmouthshire, in the year 1791,
made necessary preparations to emigrate to the United States in the
spring of 1854. Three days previous to the time intended to sail for New
York City, Sarah A., wife of John E., became sick and died, conse¬
quently John E. declined emigrating to America until the summer of
1868, when he, with his aged father, went West and became engaged
in the construction of bridges on the Union Pacific Railroad through
the Territory of Utah, where they both died in 1869. John E. was a
contractor and builder and an architect by occupation. Edwin S.
came to Lincoln county, Mo., in 1868, where his uncle, James Eames,
now resides. James has been a resident of Lincoln county for up¬
wards of 30 years. Edwin S. received a common school education
and attended academy in the county of Hereford for three terms. He
took a special interest in penmanship and became an accomplished
calligraphist. In 1877 Mr. Eames was married to Miss Cora A.
Calvin, a daughter of Walter G. and Mary S. Calvin, formerly of
Ohio. Prior to his marriage, however, Mr. Eames had engaged in
farming in Warren county, and in 1878 he removed to the vicinity of
Belleville, in Montgomerv countv, where he was farming for six vears.
He then came to his present place, a neat farm of 120 acres. Mr.
and Mrs. Eames have one child, James W. Sarah Castle died about
a year ago, at the age of three years. Mr. and Mrs. E. are members
of the Christian Church.

CHARLES P. EYERED

(Of Evered & Cluster, Grain Dealers and Proprietors of the Montgomery City Ele¬
vator) .

Mr. Evered was 19 years of age when his parents, John and Sarah
(Huke) Evered, emigrated from England and settled in Ontario
county, N. Y., in 1849. Born in England, October 13, 1830, he had
therefore been principally reared and educated when the family came
to this country. Before coming to the United States he had begun
to learn the machinist’s trade, and he continued in this afterwards
at Geneva, N. Y., and at Waterloo, that State. He learned the trade
and worked at it some 12 years, during the last three years of which

850

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

he was foreman of a shop at Geneva. He then, early in 1864, en¬
listed in the United States navy, becoming assistant engineer on the
war steamer Chippewa, serving until alter the close of the war. He
was in the Atlantic squadron and participated in the battles of the
blockade of Wilmington, N. C., until the fall of Ft. Fisher; both
battles of Atlanta (five days in all); the battles of Ft. Anderson,
Ft. Strong, and the bombardment of the forts around Richmond.
Honorably discharged in May, 1865, he went into the oil regions of
Pennsylvania and became superintendent of the Elk County Improve¬
ment and Mining Company. In 1866 he returned to New York and
again became foreman of the machine shop at Geneva. After a year
there he came to St. Louis in the summer of 1867, and the following
fall came up to Montgomery City. Here he bought a half interest in
the Montgomery City flouring mill, with which he was connected as
an active partner for about 11 years. He was also during a part of
this time dealing in grain, and was the proprietor of a blacksmith
and machine shop, and was also handling agricultural implements on
a large scale. Selling out his interests in the mill and machine shop,
he established another machine shop, which he also sold after oper¬
ating it about a year. In the spring of 1863 Mr. Evered, in partner¬
ship with another man, built the elevator which he and Mr. Cluster
now own, and since then he has been in the grain business. He is
one of the principal grain dealers at Montgomery City and has had
excellent success in this line of business. Mr. Evered has been mar¬
ried twice. His first wife was a Miss Mary A. Huke, formerly of
England, to whom he was married at Geneva, N. Y., in 1856. She
died at Montgomery City, October 13, 1879. To his present wife he
was married December 23, 1881, at this place. She was a Mrs. Mary
Y. Thomas, widow of a Mr. Thomas, and daughter of John Martin,
deceased, formerlv of Tvler countv, W. Va. Mrs. E. is a member of
the M. E. Church and Mr. Evered is a prominent member of the
Masonic order at Montgomery City.

JAMES FERGUSON

(Of Ferguson & Co., Proprietors of the Montgomery City Lumber Mills and Dealers
and Contractors in Railroad Timber and Native Lumber, and Proprietor of the New
Florence Lumber and Flour Mills).

Still comparatively a young man, Mr. Ferguson has achieved a de¬
gree of success in business affairs that few men of his age and oppor¬
tunities, in this part of the country at least, have attained. A son
of that old and substantial citizen of the vicinity of Montgomery
City, Maj. Thomas Ferguson, or Uncle Tom, as he is familiarly but
respectfully called, and who is abundantly able and willing to help
those of his own family along who need it, he depended not upon
parental assistance for a start in life, but with the self-reliance and
independence characteristic of his name and family, started out for
himself at an early age. He was born at Cleveland, September 3,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

851

1849, and was therefore quite young when the family removed to this
State. His early education was limited to only that afforded by the
ordinary district schools. At the age of 16, in 1865, he entered the
railway station office at Montgomery City for the purpose of learning
telegraphy under C. A. Paxson, the agent and operator at this place.
In less then a year by quick and energtic aptitude he became a skill¬
ful operator, and before he was 17 years of age he was entrusted with
the control of the office and became the regularly appointed station
agent and operator at this place. This position he continued to' fill
for over 15 years, and until his voluntary retirement from the office.
Unlike many others, a man of energy and enterprise, he soon began to
interest himself in other matters and occupied his time and thought,
when not necessarily engaged by his duties as agent, with outside
business. By economizing his salary he saved up some means and
thus his interests continued to grow in importance. He resigned his
position in 1881, and has not been connected with the road since that
time. Mr. Ferguson has from time to time been identified with va¬
rious business interests, not necessary to mention here. He built a
telegragh line from this place to Danville at a cost of $60 a mile,
which he sold to C. A. Bruner several years ago. He has been en¬
gaged in the milling business for some years, and is sole proprietor of
the large saw mill at this place, run under the name of Ferguson &
Co., which does a heavy and profitable business in manufacturing and
supplying railway timbers and other lumber. In 1883 he bought the
large lumber and flour mills at New Florence, which is being success¬
fully run for him by an experienced miller at that place. Since buy¬
ing that mill he has made a number of valuable improvenents on it
and has greatly added to the reputation which it had previously born.
The two mills have a combined capacity for 10,000 feet of lumber
a day, and the New Florence mill turns out about 50 barrels of
flour daily. The flour manufactured at the New Florence mill has a
high and enviable standing in the market, and its own use is its high¬
est and best recommendation. Mr. Ferguson’s experience in the mill¬
ing business has been an unqualified success. He is to-day, though
less than 35 years of age, generally recognized as one of the respon¬
sible business men and substantial citizens of the county.

GEORGE J. FERGUSON.

(Wabash Station and Pacific Express Agent, Montgomery City).

Concededly among the more efficient and popular station agents
along the line of the Wabash Railway is the subject of this present
sketch. He is a son of Thomas Ferguson, an old and respected citi¬
zen of Montgomery City, mention of whom is given elsewhere, and
was born at Cleveland, O., July 5, 1854. But his father removing
to the vicinity of Montgomery City, this State, soon afterwards,
young Mr. Ferguson was therefore reared at this place. His youth
was spent on the farm in the suburbs of Montgomery City and at
school, having the benefit of several terms at college, in this place.

852

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

While yet a youth, however, he entered the station office at Mont¬
gomery City, then in charge of his brother, James Ferguson, to learn
the business of telegraph operator, where he continued until he mas¬
tered it and indeed for some time afterwards. He was appointed
night operator and held this position until going to St. Louis, where
he operated for the Wabash company, or then the St. L., K. C. & N.,
for about two years. Subsequently he operated at other points and
for different companies in this State, Illinois and Nebraska until 1881,
when he returned to Montgomery City and received the appointment
of general station agent, a position he has since continued to hold.
Mr. Ferguson is a young man of good habits, excellent business qual¬
ifications, pleasant address, and fills the position he now occupies
with entire satisfaction both to the company and the public in and
around Montgomery City. August 15, 1880, he was married to Miss
Hattie, a daughter of R. W. Harrison, of this place. He and wife
are members of the Catholic Church.

FRANK FIELD

(Proprietor of Field’s Restaurant and Bakery, Montgomery City).

Mr. Field is a native of New York, and the son of James C.
and Hattie ( Scott) Field, both also of New York by nativity. When
Frank was young the family removed to Ohio, where the father was
engaged in teaching school. In 1865 thev came to Missouri and re-
sided in St. Louis county for some five years, coming thence to
Montgomery City. The mother died herein the spring of 1883, and
the father is now a resident of Florida, engaged in the orange cul-
ture. Four of their children lived to reach mature years. One is now
a photographer of Atlanta, Ga., and James C., Jr., is a photo¬
grapher at Tampa, Fla. ; Frank, the subject of this sketch, was
principally reared in Ohio and St. Louis county, and as he grew
up he learned the harness maker’s .trade in St. Louis at which he
worked for 10 years. Meanwhile he came to Montgomery City and
in a short time engaged in his present business. Mr. Field keeps
one of the best houses in the line in the county, and has a liberal
patronage. In 1872 he was married to Miss Lizzie Moore, of this
county, but originally from England. She was educated at the Mont¬
gomery College where she graduated in the class of ’71. Mr. and
Mrs. F. have one child, Percjs aged seven years. Mrs. F. is a mem¬
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the Masonic
order.

HON. WILLIAM L. GATEWOOD

(Attorney at Law, and ex-State Senator, Montgomery City).

It is but a plain statement of the truth, and no empty, meaningless
compliment, to say that the life-record of the subject of the present
sketch has been one which reflects only credit upon himself, upon the
name he bears and upon the public in whose interests much of his
time, means and best energies have been spent. In early life his outlook

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

853

for the future was by no means a bright one. Although coming of
an old and excellent family, one which had been in good circum¬
stances and that occupied an enviable position both for character and
intelligence, when he was quite young his father was broken up by
losses as surety upon the obligations of a friend and left little better
than destitute of means, so that young Gatewood, as was the case
with the other children of bis father’s family, was not only deprived
of early advantages for self-improvement, but was compelled to spend
most of his early years at hard labor and to begin in life for himself
with nothing to rely upon for success but his own industry, intelli¬
gence and personal worth. Nor is this all. A man of the most gen¬
erous impulses and of the warmest sympathy and affection for those
allied to him by the ties of kindred, it has been his peculiar fortune
to be so situated, almost continuously from the time he first became
old enough to do for himself, that he has had those dependant upon him
in a measure, whose misfortunes and circumstances he woul$ not ig¬
nore, and the care of whom he undertook as a personal responsibility.
To them he has been one of the truest friends and most generous of
kindred. Not only have they been the beneficiaries of his liberality
and kindness of heart, but others, and ofttimes strangers, the poor and
unfortunate, and every movement for the betterment of the condition
of those around him, religious, moral, educational and otherwise,
have shared of his generosity. All public improvements, moreover,
have found in him one of their warmest and most liberal supporters.
Indeed, it is but voicing the general sentiment of the community
where he has resided for many years to say that no one among them
all has done so much for the growth and prosperity of his place, has
given so much of his time, means and personal attention to public
works and enterprises as he. And if his life were to be viewed in the
light of the public-spirit he has shown and his private generosity, it
might well be said that he has seemed to labor for his own advance¬
ment and the accumulation of property only that he might become
the better able to help the unfortunate and make himself useful as a
citizen. The wonder is that one so liberal and public-spirited as
he has shown himself to be, should continue able to be of assistance
to others and of service to the community.

But, notwithstanding all this and not a few misfortunes which no
human sagacity could have foreseen or averted, he has become a suc¬
cessful man, reasonably successful in the accumulation of property
and eminently so as a man of character and personal worth. Mr.
Gatewood is one of the substantial property holders of Montgomery
county, as he is one of its leading, representative citizens. He is a
lawyer of recognized experience and ability, and for four years he rep¬
resented his district, consisting of the counties of Montgomery, Pike
and Lincoln, in the State Senate. He has been prominently identified
with politics for many years, but more as a public-spirited citizen and a
man of honest, positive convictions on public questions than other¬
wise. Rarely a candidate for office, indeed, not more than two or
three times in an active career of over thirty years, he has neverthe-

854

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

less contributed, probably, as much time and means for the success of
the principles supported by him, as any ot his political associates in
the state.

William Lemasters Gatewood was born on his father’s homestead
near Winchester, in Clark county, Ky., December 12, 1826, and was
a son of Joseph Gatewood, Jr., and wile, nee Miss Lucy Clark
Winn. His father was originally from Spottsylvania county, Va.
His mother, a daughter of Jesse Winn, Sr., and wife, whose maiden
name was Johnston, was born and reared in Kentucky. Other
particulars of his parents’ families appear further along in the pres¬
ent sketch.

Mr. Gatewood was the fifth child in a family of eight children by
his father’s second marriage, six of whom lived to pass the middle of
life, four sons and two daughters. His father was well situated iu
Kentucky, a well-to-do farmer and substantial slave owner. But
when young William was still in childhood his father became in¬
volved as security on the paper of a friend for a large amount of
monev, which he had to pay at the sacrifice of his own property.
He was thus broken up, and at a time when he was well advanced
in life and still with a large family to provide for ; he therefore
decided to remove to Missouri, and accordingly brought his family
out to this State and settled in Pike countv, on a tract of land
near Bowling Green, where he improved a small farm. This was
in the fall of 1833. Here the family underwent many hardships and
privations.

In that early day, in North-east Missouri, neighborhood schools were
of very rare occurrence, and those that occasionally were kept were by
no means of a superior grade. Young Gatewood’s school oppor¬
tunities, therefore, were extremely limited. Besides, most of his
time was required for work on the farm. His first knowledge of
books was obtained from lessons learned at home of nights by the
li«rht of a hickory bark fire and under the instructions of his eldest
brother; he thus persevered in his studies, after each day’s work was
done, until he made appreciable progress in the elementary branches.
By and by, N. P. Minor, afterwards a reputable lawyer of Pike
county, opened a school in the vicinity, which he kept for a term of
three months and which the subject of the present sketch attended.
Young Gatewood also attended a school for three months kept in the
neighborhood by a Mr. Charles Huntington, and in the winters of
1844-45 and 1845-46 he attended John Hubbard’s school at Bowling
Green Seminary for a term of five months each, or, rather, for three
days of each.week ; for during the other three days he carried the
United States mail from Bowling Green to Mexico.

V _ /

Those were times when the youths of the country were compelled
to be self-reliant. When young Gatewood first went on the route
from Bowling Green to Mexico he was under 16 years of age, and
nearly all the way, a distance of over 40 miles, lay through an
unbroken wilderness. There were no bridges on which to cross the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

855

streams, often swollen out of their banks, and wolves were his fre¬
quent and by no means welcome or harmless companions.

After concluding his second term at the Bowling Green Seminary,
youngGatewood engaged in the occupation of teaching school in Pike
county, and taught almost continuously for the following four years.
Close confinement in the school-room, however, soon began to show
its effects on his health, and during the last two years of his experience
as a teacher, he was sorely afflicted with dyspepsia. This, finally,
became so serious that he was compelled to quit the school-room alto¬
gether, and on that account he determined to study law. 8

Col. James O. Broadhead was at that time a practicing attorney at
Bowling Green, and he gave young Gatewood much encouragement
in the way of advice and of mapping out the proper course of studies
to be pursued. Indeed, Col. Broadhead loaned him the first volume
of Blackstone’s Commentaries, to which he at once applied himself.
This read through, he entered Col. Broadhead’s office as a student of
the law, remaining a short time. About this time he was appointed
school commissioner of Pike county, but nevertheless continued his legal
studies, and in due time was admitted to the bar by the circuit court
at Bowling Green, in 1857. Thereupon he entered without delay
upon the practice of his profession at that place.

As a lawyer, Mr. Gatewood’s early career was one of success and
credit. But when the late war came on, the political party which
then took possession of the State government by force, required an
oath to be taken by attorneys, which he refused to take, and he was
therefore compelled to give up the practice, for several years. The
Brake Constitution, promulgated in 1865, also required a so-called
test oath to be taken by attorne37s, ministers of the Gospel, teachers,
and others, and this likewise he refused to take. But as soon as the
test-oath was decided unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the
United States, he resumed the practice of his profession, having in
the meantime removed to Montgomery county. But such was the
intense hatred against attorneys of his political views by the partisan
courts and jurors of that day, that for three years, or until 1870,
when the Radicals of the county were voted out of office, he never
gained a single case before a jury of the county. After that, his
practice gradually increased until he was elected to the State Senate
in 1872, when he had perhaps the largest number of cases on the
circuit court docket among all the attorneys at the Montgomery
county bar.

Mr. Gatewood’s practice has been somewhat of a general character,
but confined more particularly to real estate. For a period of about
20 years, from 1859 to 1879, he was engaged as attorney, in connec¬
tion with Hon. John B. Henderson, now of St. Louis, in a number
of suits involving the title to the Herrick lands in Audrain county.
In litigating the various branches of the title to these lands no less
than 20 suits were necessary, in nearly all of which they were suc¬
cessful. Two of these suits are reported in the 49th Missouri

856

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Supreme Court Report, entitled, respectively, Musick v. Barney,
and Briggs v. Henderson.

The Bowles suits were also cases of general interest. During the
late war, a regiment of Federal troops drove an old man by the name
of David Bowles from his home and attempted to confiscate his pro¬
perty, for the alleged reason that he was a Southern sympathizer.
They took an inventory of his personal property and sold it all at
public sale, including his household and kitchen furniture. This was
done by the officers of the regiment, and the property was bought by
third parties.

After the war, Mr. Bowles returned to his home, near Middletown,
in this county, without a dollar, and with no property left but his
real estate, which was in the name of his wife. He then came up to
Mr. Gatewood’s office at Montgomery City and related his grievances,
asking whether or not anything could be done for him. Mr. Gate-
wood asked him if he could find any of his property, and he replied
that he knew where seven or eight of his horses were; and that if he
could recover those he would be enabled to make a crop that year
for the support of his family. But he frankly admitted that he had
no money and no means with which to fee an attorney ; nor was he
able to give the security required for costs, or the indemnifying bond
necessary in such cases. “Never mind,” said Mr. G., “I’ll attend
to that, give me a description of your horses.” The old gentleman
described his stock with tears of gratitude in his eyes, and when he
had given the descriptions, Mr. G. drew up seven different replevin
petitions and prepared as many bonds, which latter the old gentleman
signed, Mr. G. signing them also, thus becoming surety on the bonds.

These petitions Mr. Gatewood filed in the circuit courts of Mont¬
gomery, Warren, Lincoln and Pike counties respectively, in each
county of which some of the horses were found ; and he went in per¬
son with the sheriffs of these counties to see that the horses were
taken and returned to Mr. Bowles, as was directed by the writs. The
horses were promptly delivered to their rightful owner, in Mr. G.’s
presence, near Middletown.

Mr. Gatewood then prosecuted the suits, as attorney, in connection
with Hon. A. H. Buckner. In the case of David Bowles v. Enos
Lewis, in the circuit court of St. Charles countv, a test case, thev
were defeated ; but they appealed the case to the State Supreme
Court, where they were successful. This case is reported in the
48th Missouri Supreme Court Report. Thus, Mr. Bowles gained
all seven of his cases, and recovered sufficient damages to pay
the full amount of the fee of his attorneys. Further space, however,
can not be given to refer to particular cases in which Mr. G. has been
engaged.

Mr. Gatewood’s political course has been one of earnestness and
sincerity. In 1861 he voted against secession, and afterwards pre¬
sided over a larse Union meeting at which the policv of “ armed
neutrality” was warmly indorsed by resolutions. These meant that
the people would resist armed force from the seceding States to pre-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

857

vent the forcing of this State out of the Union, with armed force ; and
that likewise they would resist the authority of the Federal Govern¬
ment with armed force to prevent the administration at Washington
from bringing this State into its support. Companies were organized
at the meeting for home protection against all hostile comers, either
from the South or the North.

But soon the affair at Camp Jackson and a change in the current of
events favorable to the North, or to the authorities at Washington,
worked a marked change with many in regard to the course to be
pursued. Some of the members of the companies organized at the
meeting referred to, openly avowed themselves in favor of sustaining
Mr. Lincoln in his purpose to coerce the seceded States. When asked
for an explanation, in the face of the “ armed neutrality ” resolutions,
under which the companies organized, they significantly answered
that “ the resolutions meant arms for the Union men and neutrality
for the rebels,” as those opposed to coercion were then for the first
time called.

Mr. Gatewood experienced no such change of heart in his political
convictions as the success of Lyon at St. Louis, and the dispersion of
the Legislature at Jefferson City worked in the breasts of some. He
honestly and frankly continued to oppose coercion, as he had opposed
secession, and was of course denounced as a rebel.

In 1862 the remnant of the State Convention left at that time assumed
to provide a Provisional Government for the State, the forces of the
National Government having, in the meantime, driven the officers of
the regular State Government from the State capital. This conven¬
tion also passed a so-called ordinance requiring every public official of
the State and every attorney to take an oath to support the irregular
and fatherless State government which it had set up. Mr. Gatewood
refused to take the oath thus prescribed, and on that account was
disbarred from the practice of his profession. He wTas then one of
the leading attorneys at the Pike county bar. The other attorneys of
Pike county, without exception, subscribed to the oath.

A motion of disbarment against Mr. Gatewood was made by
Hugh Allen, Esq., Judge Fagg presiding. When called for an an¬
swer to the motion against him, Mr. G. replied that “ the proceedings
of the convention prescribing the oath demanded were revolutionary,
and were nothing less than treason against the properly constituted
authorities of the State ; that, therefore, he could not swear to sup¬
port the so-called Provisional Government set up by the convention ;
and that the court, as then constituted under the alleged authority of
the said convention, had taken possession of papers and other docu¬
ments in suits pending, to which he, as an attorney, had the undoubted
right ; and that in appearing before this alleged ‘ court,’ he did so,
not in recognition of its authority, but only to protect the rights of
his clients, and for no other purpose.” But the motion against him
was of course sustained, and an order of disbarment was entered
on record. He was not again in the practice until 1867, as stated
elsewhere.

858

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

By the fall of 1864, that being in the midst of the war, the Demo¬
cratic party of the county had become practically disorganized. But in
this state of affairs a small coterie of politicians in the county, most of
whom had never voted a Democratic ticket in their lives, formed them¬
selves into an alleged Conservative convention and put out a ticket.
It was then a time when it was almost worth a man’s life to call him¬
self a Democrat. Nevertheless Mr. G. issued a call under his own name
for a regular Democratic convention to nominate candidates for the
different county offices. In view of this meeting, the so-called Con¬
servatives called another meeting for the same day and a compromise
was effected between the two conventions bv which the Conservatives
withdrew one of their candidates for the Legislature and accepted in
his place John I. Fisher, a representative of the regular Democrats,
and well known as an anti-coercionist. He had been one of those
who responded to Gov. Jackson’s call for volunteers to protect the
State against invasion.

In the spring of 1865 affairs being thoroughly unsettled in Pike
county, Mr. Gatewood removed to St. Louis, and continued there
until the following summer when he came to Montgomery City, where
he has ever since resided. In this county, during all the dark days
of disfranchisement he stood up manfully for the first and dearest
right of American freemen, the right to have a voice in the govern¬
ment of their country. He boldlv and fearlessly denounced disfran-
cnisement and the desperate faction of political adventurers then in
control of public affairs, and worked unceasingly for the restoration
of the ballot to the people, who represented the character, intelligence
and property of the State. No man of his prominence and influence
did more in this cause than he, or was more liberal of his time and
means.

In 1866 he established the first newspaper in Montgomery county,
the Montgomery Independent , now the Standard , a Democratic paper
published at Montgomery City^, and established almost exclusively in
the interest of the Democratic party. Four years later, through the
columns of the Standard , he was mainly instrumental in reorganizing
the Democratic party in Montgomery county and placing a ticket in
the field, much against the judgment and opposition of many Demo¬
crats, but which, nevertheless, was successful and proved the redemp¬
tion of the county from Republican rule. In 1872 he bitterly opposed
the nomination of Horace Greeley for the Presidency, a nomination
the most self-stultifying ever made by a party. lie, nevertheless,
gave the Greeley electors a passive support. But the political pill he
then took proved so nauseating that he has never entirely recovered
from its effects, even to this day. That year he was nominated for
the State Senate, in the district composed of the counties of Mont¬
gomery, Pike and Lincoln.

During the winter of 1873, while in the Senate, Mr. Gatewood took
an active and prominent part in the election of a United States Senator
to succeed Gen. Frank Blair ; and during his first two years’ service
was chairman of the Committee on Elections. In the session of 1874

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

859

he introduced a bill calling a convention for the purpose of framing a
new State Constitution, to take the place of the old Drake Constitu¬
tion, and was mainly instrumental in securing the passage of that bill
in the Senate. During the winter of 1874 he led the opposition in
the Senate to the passage of what was known as the Hannibal and St.
Joe Railroad Renewal Bonds bill, the object of which was to further
extend the credit of the State to the Hannibal and St. Joe Railroad
Company for a period of 20 years. In that fight he had the opposi¬
tion of Gov. Hardin and Lt.-Gov. Brockmeyer, or, rather, they were
the leading advocates of the bill.

During the second two years of his term he was chairman of the
Senate Committee on the Penitentiarv, and also chairman of the Joint
Committee of the two Houses to investigate the condition of the State
Prison. At that time he introduced a bill authorizing the construc¬
tion of a branch State prison, which failed of passage by only a few
votes. His last act of any importance in the Senate was in connection
with Senators Strother and Halligan to defeat an adjourned session
of the Twenty- eighth General Assembly, as a matter of economy to
the people. In that they were successful, and saved to the tax-payers
about $100,000. That was the first time the Legislature failed to
provide for an adjourned session in the history of the State.

In 1880, having in the meantime identified himself with the Green-
back party, Mr. Gatewood was selected by the State convention of
that party, without his knowledge or consent, as a candidate for Presi¬
dential elector in the Thirteenth Congressional district. In 1884 he
was an Independent candidate for Congress from this district, but
withdrew from the canvass several weeks before the election. His
candidacy was not undertaken with any view of an election, but in
order to discuss the leading political questions of the day before the
people, with the candidates of the two parties, Democratic and Republi¬
can, and particularly to show how unfair and ridiculous is our present
system of selecting candidates for public office. The other candi¬
dates, however, failed to meet him in public discussion after invitation
to do so, as they studiously avoided each other, so that not succeed¬
ing in the only object for which he became a candidate, he with¬
drew.

In politics, as all know who know him at all, Mr. Gatewood is a
man of strong, honest convictions. When a principle is at stake he
has no patience with those who would sacrifice it for expediency’s
sake. He believes that in politics, as in everything else, “honesty
is the best policy and a man who would trade on his political con¬
victions he would not trust out of his sight with his boot-jack. He
has no use for this modern school of politicians who play fast and
loose with party questions. Should the Democratic party, however,
ever return in his day to its old time-honored principles he would,
doubtless, be found in its front rank, fighting valiantly the battles of
his party. But, as affairs now stand, he may be considered Inde¬
pendent in politics, and opposed to conventions.

Aside from his profession and his identification with politics, Mr.

860

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Gatewood has been quite active and successful in business life. He
is a man of good business qualifications, a hard worker, and closely
attentive to whatever he has in hand. He has had much to do with
real estate, and has owned considerable land in North-east Missouri, and
when he left Pike county he was a large property holder there, but
sold most of his real estate in that county at comparatively nominal
prices. These sacrifices were made on account of the war.

For many years Mr, Gatewood was also interested in mail contracts
under the government. His father before him had had experience in
that branch of business, as also had his eldest brother, James M.
Gatewood. He has also been interested in banking. ‘In 1870 he was
one of the principal organizers of the International Savings Bank at
Montgomery City, in which he was one among the principal stock¬
holders. This was the first bank ever established in Montgomery
county.

As a citizen Mr. Gatewood has always been prominent for his public
spirit and enterprise. Not to go further back than the period of his
residence at Montgomery City, ample evidence of this may be found.
When he came to this place in 1865, it was a small prairie way-
station on the railroad of only a few hundred population, with a
post-office, several small stores and a temporary depot. Few or no
public roads to the place had been opened, and of course it had not
become recognized as an important local trade-center.

One of his first efforts was to assist in securing the location of the
railroad hotel at Montgomery City. Mr. Gatewood, Mr. R. P.
Gentry and others circulated a subscription paper, which they headed
themselves with a liberal sum, and secured, in all, some $2,000 as a
bonus to the railroad company for locating the hotel here. By this a
new impetus was now given to the place, and its growth was rapid.

In the summer of 1866 he presented a petition to Judge Fagg, of
the Circuit Court at Troy, asking an order of injunction to prohibit
the contractor from erecting the present court-house at Danville.
This, however, was refused on the ground that the contract being let,
it was too late to be heard against the erection of the building. Sub-
sequentlv he exerted himself with great energy to secure the removal
of the county seat to Montgomery City by vote of the people at
special elections called for that purpose, but as the court-house had
already been built, and as a two-thirds vote was required, his efforts
failed bv a few votes. During the session of the Legislature of
1868-69 he spent most of the winter at Jefferson City, at his own ex¬
pense, endeavoring to secure the passage of a bill establishing a court
of common pleas at this place. He succeeded in securing the pas¬
sage of the bill through the House, but it failed in the Senate.

In the matter of securing the location and improvement of public
roads radiating from this place, he has always shown great interest and
liberality and has been instrumental in opening nearly all the roads
centering here. Furthermore, after much labor and expense, he
succeeded in the establishment of three important stage lines centering
at Montgomery City, leading to Danville, Williamsburgh and Olney,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

861

respectively. He has also given liberally for the construction of the
different churches at this place and to all other public improvements.

But whatever else may be said of the subject of the present sketch,
it is in the light of his sympathy and generosity to the unfortunate
of his kindred that the truest and best estimate of his character is to
be made. Though himself singularly blessed in a long and happy
married life, he has never been favored with children of his own.
Nevertheless, he has been all of a father to others — to the children of
those allied to him by the ties of nature. Indeed, if we were dis¬
posed to allow a vein of humor to associate itself with thoughts so
worthy of earnestness and gravity as these are, we would say that to
the children of his kindred he has been a veritable “ mother,” of
Mother Goose fame, “who lived in a shoe and had so many children
that she didn’t know what to do.” His nephews and nieces he has
cared for and educated almost beyond number.

While Mr. G. was yet in youth his father died, thus leaving the
mother, advanced in years and without means, a widow. His oldest
brother was one of the kindest and best of sons and contributed a
full part to the care of the family : but, in the meantime, he had
married and had assumed the care of a family of his own, so that a
large share of the responsibility of their mother’s family fell upon
young William.

The first $100 he ever made as a teacher were used as a payment
on a small farm he bought as a home for his mother. She afterwards
removed to it and resided there for several years, but having a dower
interest in the old family homestead near Bowling Green, she finally
returned to that place.

Some years afterwards Mr. Gatewood’s elder sister was left a widow
by the death of her husband, with several children and with little or
no means. He of course assumed the duty of helping to care for her
and her children. Though subsequently married, she was again left a
widow by the death of her second husband, and continued so through¬
out the remainder of her life. She had a family of four children.
One or all of these made their home with their uncle from time to
time.

Early in the war his other sister was made a widow by the murder
of her husband by the militia. Mr. Gatewood at once took the full
care and management of her affairs, and he has ever since seen to it
that she was well provided for and her children properly educated.
Also, his eldest brother lost his life in the early part of the war,
leaving a widow and several children. To her and them he contributed
material help from time to time, and assisted in the education ©f one
of her sons and in giving him a proper start in life. With other rela¬
tives not allied to him by the ties of blood he has been not less kind
and generous. None who know him will question that he is a man of
large heart and the most generous impulses, perhaps too unselfish to
make a career in this world of pre-eminent individualism of the first
order of success. But perhaps the record he has made will be of more
value to him in the end than if he had risen to greater eminence than

862

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

he has, by avoiding the many obligations which a quick and sensitive
heart led him to undertake. His own conscience and God only can
know and appreciate this.

£)f the character of man, whose life is briefly and imperfectly out¬
lined in these paragraphs, we can speak no further than the facts
themselves go, but certainly these are enough. He who reads what
has crone before and remains unmoved bv the conviction that the

O t _

subject of the present sketch is a true and good man, with a few
faults, perhaps, but none the less genuine at heart, can not be touched
by the kinder and better impulses that bind our common humanity
together.

On May 3, 1860, Mr. Gatewood was married near Williamsburgh, in
Callaway county, to Miss Fannie W. White, a daughter of Hon. Morgan
B. White and wife, nee Miss Mary A. Marmaduke. Mr. White was
born in Franklin county, Ky., May 31, 1800, and was married to Miss
Marmaduke, a daughter of Samson Marmaduke, Esq., of Shelby county,
that State, in 1821. Her mother’s family-name was Young. Mr. White’s
wife was distantly related to Hon. M. M. Marmaduke, the former
Governor of this State. Mr. White and family came to Missouri in
1824. A sketch of himself and family appears in the present volume,
in the biography of his son, Morgan B. White, Jr., of the vicinity of
Middletown.

Mrs. Gatewood was principally educated at the Danville Seminary,
of this county, where she took a somewhat advanced young ladies’
course. She is a lady of superior culture and refinement, and of a de¬
cided literary turn of mind. She has been a constant reader of the best
class of books, and is well informed. A lady of singularly prepos¬
sessing presence, her manners are extremely winning, and although
somewhat reserved, she is nevertheless most cordial and sincere at
heart. In conversation she is cultured and refined, but by no means
affected, and always interesting and entertaining. She is much
beloved as a neighbor and acquaintance. For years she has been an
earnest and exemplary member of the Christian Church. Her parents
before her were also members of that denomination.

As has been intimated elsewhere, Mr. Gatewood comes of an old
Virginia family. The family is of English origin, but what time
its original founder came to this country is not definitely known.
Certain it is, however, that the first settlement of the family here
was made in Virginia. Branches are now found in all, or nearly
all, of the Western and Southern States, and all trace their origin
back to Virginia. As early as the early part of the last century the
family was quite numerous in that Stat^. Mr. Gatewood’s father
had the record of his family back for a number of generations, per¬
haps anterior to the immigration of its founder to this country. But
in the vicissitudes of time and the mutations of fortune that have
intervened these have all been lost. Members of the family, however,
still reside in England, among others, Alexander Gatewood, of No. 8
Prince of Wales Crescent, N. W., London.

Mr. Gatewood’s grandfather, whose name was Joseph Gatewood,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

863

resided in Central Virginia, probably Spottsylvania county, and left
a family of five sons, Thomas, Leonard, Ambrose, John S., and Joseph,
Jr., and two daughters.

Joseph Gatewood, Jr., the father of the subject of this sketch,
was born in Spottsylvania county, near Fredericksburg, March 18,
1781 ; his father died when he was quite young, and when he was
14 years of age his mother was also taken away by death. At about
the age of 16 he went to Fredericksburg, in Spottsylvania county,, to
learn the mercantile business under a merchant there by the name of
Ross. He remained under Mr. Ross until he was about 20 years of
age. Mr. Gatewood then made a trip through Virginia in search of
employment as clerk, and while on this trip made the acquaintance of
Miss Elizabeth Carter, a daughter of the well-to-do Johnny Carter,
of that State, and of the old Carter family of Virginia. He was mar¬
ried to Miss Carter in about 1806.

Soon after his marriage Joseph Gatewood, Jr. , and wife removed to
Kentucky, and settled in Clark county, near Winchester. There he
bought land and engaged quite extensively in farming, being the
owner of a large number of slaves. His first wife died, however,
within two years, leaving him two children : William Carter Gatewood
and Joseph Edwin Gatewood. Some four years after his first wife’s
death Mr. Gatewood was married to Miss Lucv Clark Winn, of Bour-
bon county, Ky., a daughter of Jesse D. Winn, Sr., formerly of Vir¬
ginia, as stated heretofore.

Mrs. Gatewood was one of a family of nine children by her father’s
first marriage, the others being Benjamin, Stephen, Philip, Braxton,
Fannie, Nancy, Catherine and Dolly. The mother of these, before
her marriage, was a Miss Johnston, of the old Virginia family by that
name, of which Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is a distinguished represent¬
ative. Mrs. Gatewood’s second brother, Stephen Winn, married
and reared a family, and one of his daughters married Dr. Michael
Reynolds, an eminent physician of Kentucky, and from this union
came Dr. Stephen J. Reynolds, of Bowling Green, Mo. Mrs. Gate¬
wood’s youngest brother, Braxton Wrinn, married, and in his family of
children was K. J. B. L. Winn, now a leading merchant and wealthy
citizen of Memphis, Tenn. Of Mrs. Gatewood’s sisters, Fanny mar¬
ried a Mr. Coats, of Kentucky, Nancy married a Mr. Sinclair, Cath¬
erine married a Mr. Gray, and Dolly married a Mr. Arthur ; and of
this latter union came Michael Arthur, the well known citizen of Clay
county, Mo., but now deceased. She subsequently married a Mr.
Beacham. By Jesse Winn’s, Sr., second marriage came Jesse B.
Winn, who became the father of Ben. S. and George Winn, both
formerly of Pike county, Mo., but the former died in Texas,
(having, however, two sons in Pike county), and the latter, now
deceased, having died at Clarksville, Mo., some years ago, leaving a

familv.

After his second marriage Mr. Gatewood, the father of the subject
of this sketch, continued to reside on his farm, near Winchester, in
Clark county, for some eighteen or twenty years, engaged in farm ng

864

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and stock-raising. He was a large hemp and tobacco raiser, and also
fattened a large number of hogs for sale each year. His career as a
farmer indeed was one of abundant success, until he became involved
as security for a friend, which resulted in breaking him entirely up.
While still residing in Kentucky his eldest son died, in his nineteenth
year, in about 1823.

In 1833, largely on account of his losses, Mr. Gatewood removed
to Missouri and settled in Pike county, near Bowling Green. Here he
was practically without money or other means, and the experience of
the family in this then new country was one of extreme hardships and
trials. He and his second wife now had a family of six children,
namely: James Minor, Richard Thomas, Elizabeth Catherine, Lucy
Ann, Frances Bird, William Lemasters and Robert Hay Taliaferro.
Of these the eldest son was about 17 years of age, and at this time was
the main reliance of the family for labor and support, as the father,
though a man of great industry, was now well advanced in years.
They located on a small piece of timbered land and began the im¬
provement of a farm without money. Unaccustomed to hard labor,
their lot seemed an unusually hard one. But nevertheless they went
ahead with courage and resolution, and soon placed themselves at
least beyond the fear of destitution. The next son to James M.,
Richard T., was about 14 years old, and the two sons and their father
cleared away the timber and undergrowth from their land and erected
a comfortable log house, and by the following spring were prepared
to begin plowing for a small crop on about 10 acres of cleared land.
The history of their subsequent experience, for a number of years, is
one of almost continued hardships and privations, but can not be
given here.

Joseph Gatewood was a man of sterling intelligence, good educa¬
tion and strong character; and untiring energy and dauntless resolu¬
tion were among his leading characteristics. After the loss of his
fortune and when his outlook was the least encouraging, he never for
a moment lost heart. As long as he was able to strike a lick of work
he never once withheld his hand, but applied himself to hard labor as
best he could, with seemingly as much inclination and spirit as if it
had been the experience of his whole life. Like his son, the subject
of this sketch, he was a man of great kindness of heart, and it was
this alone that brought about his losses, a disposition to favor a
friend even at the risk of his own financial ruin. He died in Pike
county, near Bowling Green, on the 6th of February, 1848, in the
sixty-seventh year of his age. His good wife followed him to the
grave in less than three years.

Politically, Mr. Gatewood was an unswerving Democrat. He was
a man of positive convictions, and under no circumstances would
yield to the influence of policy, either for personal promotion or
pecuniary reward. For nearly twenty years he lived under the very
shadow of the influence of Henry Clay, but invariably supported the
Democratic party and was one of the leaders of the Andrew Jackson
Democracy of Clark county. The county was largely Whig in poli-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

865

tics, and but for this he could have held any office in the gift of the
people of the county. His good wife was one of the committee of
ladies appointed to welcome Gen. Jackson when he visited Winches¬
ter, Ky., in 1828, on the part of the community. Her niece, the
mother of Dr. S. J. Reynolds, now of Bowling Green, was also a
member of the same committee.

Mr. Gatewood was a man of superior business qualifications. By
his neighbors he was always called upon to prepare their contracts
and other papers, which he invariably did free of charge. At an early
day, when a resident of Pike county, he prepared the mail contracts
for bids sent out from Bowling Green by the different contractors in
that vicinity.

Mrs. Gatewood was a lady of a most amiable disposition and pos¬
sessed of great fortitude and resignation. She had beei? reared in
luxury and affluence, but she bore her reverse of fortune in this new
country, without a murmur, and ever comforted her loved ones with
words of consolation and encouragement. She was one of the
queenly, good women who are thought of by those who knew them
as angels are. Another, in speaking of her, has said, “ She was as

kind hearted as her husband and a true Christian ladv. But she had

«/

more caution and prudence than he. In the every-day affairs of life
she would always look first to the welfare of her own family. Never¬
theless her convictions of right were fully as strong as his. She bad
in early life joined what was known as the Campbellite Church (now
the Christian Church), and up to the time of her death, while she
resided near Bowling Green, there being no church of the Christian
denomination nearer than twelve miles, she attended a Missionary Bap¬
tist Church within four miles of where she resided ; but often only to
hear abuse of her own denomination, which she nevertheless bore
with Christian forbearance. So strong, however, were her convic¬
tions of the truth of her own faith, that she never left the demonina-
tion with which she had connected herself early in life.”

The younger of the two sons of Joseph Gatewood, Jr., by his first
wife, Joseph Edwin Gatewood, came to Missouri with his father and
shortly afterwards located at New London, in Ralls county. While a
resident of that county he was elected to, and served in the office as
county assessor. Subsequently he removed to Louisiana, Mo., but
died there in about 1848. He was never married.

The eldest son by Mr. Gatewood’s second marriage, James M.
Gatewood, was born in Clark county, Ky., December 7, 1816. In
many respects he proved to be a remarkable man. After the re¬
moval of the family to Missouri he was principally relied on for their
care and support, although still quite young. While improving the
farm, clearing away heavy oak timber and grubbing up the under¬
brush, he acquired his education bv night. Every night he studied by
a hickory-bark fire until about 10 o’clock. By this means he secured
more than an average education, considering the country and the
times in which he lived. He continued with his father in charge of
the farm until his marriage, which occurred when he was about 24

866

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

years of age. After his marriage he was a resident of Pike county
until 1856, by which time he had accumulated considerable means.
He then entered a large amount of land in Vernon county, and began
the improvement of a farm in that county.

In 1858 he removed to his place in Vernon county, and two years
later was elected a member of the Legislature. He took a prominent
part in the secession Legislature of 1861, and was commissioned by
Gov. Jackson to organize troops for the defense of the State against
invasion. Chiefly through his influence Vernon county furnished
more men under Gov. Jackson’s call than there were voters in the
county, a fact true of no other county in the State. His company,
under Col. Hunter, was in the thickest of the fight at Wilson Creek,
and two-thirds of his men were either killed outright or wounded.
He, himself, finally died in February, 1862, from the effects of an
accidental wound received from his own pistol. His course in the
war was purely a matter of conviction. He did not believe the Fed¬
eral government had the right to coerce a sovereign State, and re¬
sponded to Gov. Jackson’s call on that issue alone. He believed it
to be the duty of every patriotic citizen to defend his State against
hostile aggression, either from other States or from the general gov-

0>“ 7 v? O

ernment. For conviction’s sake he made every sacrifice man can
make in this world — the sacrifice of his life and home, and of the
interests of his family. All his property except his land was swept
away by the war and most of that was afterwards filched from his
children by land sharks under cover of tax titles. Thus not unfre-
quently is a man rewarded in this world who stands faithfully and
loyally by a principle !

Richard Thomas Gatewood, the second son by his father’s second
marriage, born March 29, 1819, was never married. He died at
Bowling Green in 1858.

Elizabeth C., the third in the family, was twice married — first to
Thomas Hunter, who died leaving her two children. He studied
medicine after his marriage and engaged in the practice at Hamburg,
Ill., where he was residing at the time of his death, which occurred
in about 1850. Four years later his widow was married to Orson
Reed, of Pike county, Mo., who subsequently died, also leaving her
two children. She died on her homestead near Louisiana, Mo., in
1874. She was a most excellent, gentle-hearted Christian lady, and
was profoundly mourned by all who knew her.

Lucy A. Gatewood, the second daughter of Joseph Gatewood by
his second marriage, was born in Clark county, Ky., May 29th, 1824,
and subsequently married in Pike county, Mo., John Gilmore, a
farmer by occupation. He was murdered by the militia during the
war against the protest of many good citizens. The company that
committed this cowardly and dastardly act was commanded by a Capt.
Carr, who afterwards died a miserable death, the mental agony of his
last hours being attributed by many to the lashings of conscience for
the murder of an old, white-haired, unarmed man. One other citi¬
zen he also caused to be shot at the same time, marching both into

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

867

the graveyard at Ashley, in Pike county, where, in the dread presence
of the dead, a place sacred even to the wildest of savages, he caused
them to be brutally murdered, and without cause or excuse. Mr.
Gilmore’s widow was left with five children. She was a dutiful wife,
as she is a devoted mother and Christian lady, and has had a hard
struggle to rear her family of children.

William L. Gatewood, the next in his father’s second family of
children, is the subject of the present sketch and has already been
spoken of.

Dr. R. H. T. Gatewood, the youngest of the family, is now a prac¬
ticing physician in the vicinity of Wellsville, but across in Audrain
county, where he is also engaged in farming. He was born in Clark
county, Ky., May 27, 1829. His school advantages, like his brothers’,
were very limited, but he nevertheless succeeded, almost exclusively
by self-culture, in obtaining a good general education. He became a
successful and popular school teacher and then read medicine. For
a number of years he was one of the leading physicians of Pike
county. He married and now has a family of three children, all of
whom are grown to mature years. In the history of Audrain county
is contained a more extended sketch of his life.

ARCHIE A. GORDON

* •

(Dealer in Staple and Fancy Groceries, Montgomery City).

Mr. Gordon has just (October, 1884) recently established himself
at his present stand on Second street, and has opened out a new and
exceptional choice stock of goods in his line. He keeps as good
groceries as can be found in any town no larger than Montgomery
throughout the surrounding country, and is liberally patronized. Mr.
Gordon is not unknown to the people of Montgomery City as a business
man, as he has been engaged in business at this place for nearly two
years. He and his brother-in-law, T. T. Pitman, were first in the livery
business here, and Mr. Gordon continued the business after Pitman’s
retirement from the firm. Finally, he, too, quit the livery business,
and in the spring of 1884 he and Mr. Crochett engaged in the grocery
trade. They continued in this until June, 1884, when the firm was
dissolved, after which Mr. Gordon proceeded to establish his present
store. Mr. G. was the son of Philip D. Gordon, who married a
Miss Woolfolk, both formerly of Kentucky, and was born at St.
Louis, October 7, 1859. His mother died when he was quite young, and
his father afterwards married again. He is now an enterprising busi¬
ness man of Pleasant Hill, but was formerly in the grocery trade at St.
Louis. He was also for some years a resident of Montgomery county,
engaged in farming here for nearly 20 years, up to about a year ago.
Archie A. Gordon was reared in this county on the farm about a
mile and a half from Montgomery City, which he and his only sister,
now Mrs. T. T. Pitman, own. Their farm contains over 200 acres. Mr.
Gordon is a young man of good business qualifications and thorough¬
going enterprise.

868

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

JOHN GREEN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Green’s farm contains 283 acres, and is well improved — one
of the valuable homesteads of the township. He is to some extent
encased in raising stock, and has good success in this line of industry.
He also has other valuable lands in the county, and, in fact, is one of
the substantial men of the community. Mr. Green came to this
county in 1863, and has resided here continuously ever since. He
was from Pike county, where he was born and reared. His parents
were William and Elizabeth (Stand ford) Green, his mother a relative
of the Standford, of this county. The family came from Kentucky
and settled in Pike county in an early day. The mother died there in
1861, the father in 1869. John Green was born October 16, 1841,
and was reared on the farm in Pike county. In 1863 he was married
to Miss Elizabeth S. White, a daughter of William White, Sr., of this
county, and a sister to Judge William White, whose sketch appears
on another page in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Green have but one
child, an interesting and promising son, William S., now a fine lad
some 10 years of age. They have two little orphan daughters: Ben¬
nie, aged 12, and Jessie Skinner aged nine vears.

STEPHEN D. HAM

(Postmaster, Montgomery City).

Among the old and respected families of Montgomery county, none
are more highly esteemed by those who know them than Stephen D.
Ham. His parents, Rev. Stephen Ham and wife (the mother having
been a Miss Jane Johnson before her marriage), were residents of this
county for over half a century, and until their deaths and burials
within its borders ; and throughout their long residence here their
lives were linked and associated only with good works. They were
from Madison county, Ky., — typical, hospitable, generous-hearted
Kentuckians — and they settled in the south-western part of the
county near Danville, on Prairie fork. They resided there on their
farm (for the father was a farmer as well as a minister) for several
years, or until 1875, when he quit the farm (after his wife’s death),
and came to Montgomery City, where several of the children lived ;
and haying accumulated a neat competence by industry and economi¬
cal, frugal living, he could well afford to retire with comfort, and
without inconvenience. Mrs. Hrm died September 30, 1875 ; he
March 30, 1879, both at ripe and honored old ages. He was a min¬
ister of the Primitive Baptist Church — had been in the service of his
church, of his fellow creatures, his Maker, for over 30 years —
preaching to those whose welfare here and hereafter were dearer to
him than life itself, the faith of the Redeemer, the abiding, enduring
hope of heaven. When Rev. Stephen Ham died, a good man passed

away from the councils of men, and so long as such men are sent

^ 7 ©

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

869

among us to labor for the good, to spend their lives in the service of
God and humanity, we may feel assured that there is something Beyond
greater and better and more enduring than this world affords to live for,
strive for, die for. Rev. Stephen Ham and his good wife were blessed
with a family of eight children, of whom five are living : John W., Har¬
din J. , Stephen D. and Susana — Mrs. John W. Oliver. Of the others,
William C. died in 1864, at the age of 39 ; James C. died at the age
of 15, and Mary J., who became the wife of Nathaniel Christian, died
in 1868. Stephen D. Ham, the subject of this sketch, was born on the
old family homestead, near Danville, March 4, 1843. He was reared
on the farm and received a good general, though not advanced, edu-
cation. During the war he served for about 14 months in the Missouri
Enrolled militia, under Capt. J. W. Stewart, or in Co. B of Col.
Douglass’ regiment. Afterwards he was engaged in farming and
then became a school teacher, an occupation he followed from time to
time, and in all for about four years. He was also in the grocery
trade for a time before coming to Montgomery City, but his principal
occupation prior to this was farming. After coming to this place he
assisted in the store of Ham & Bro. (the firm being composed of his
brothers, John W. and Hardin J.), from 1875 until 1880, after which
he embarked in the grocery business as above mentioned, continuing
it until March, 1882, when he was appointed postmaster, the duties of
which office have since occupied his whole time and attention. Mr.
Ham makes an efficient and capable postmaster, and one entirely satis¬
factory to the department at Washington. In 1882 he was a candi¬
date for county collector, and although running on the minority ticket
and having as well one of the popular and influential men of the
county as his opponent, he was defeated by only 14 votes. On the
12th of October, 1875, Mr. Ham was married to Miss Ella Jones, a
daughter of James H. Jones. They have two children, Eustace H.
and Julian D. Mrs. H. is a member of the M. E. Church South.

JOHN HAMILTON

(Dealer in Furniture and Undertaker, Montgomery City).

Mr. Hamilton’s father’s family were among the early settlers of
Callaway county. They came to that county in 1837, and were from
Augusta county, Virginia. They settled near Bachelor post-office,
where the father, John C., entered land and improved a farm. He
died there in 1856. He had been a soldier in the War of 1812, and
was lieutenant of a company. He died within five days of the ad¬
vanced age of 80. The mother, who was a Miss Sarah Craig previous
to her marriage, died in October, 1854. There were three brothers
of the Hamiltons who came to Missouri, the other two being Andrew,
who came in 1829, and Hugh, who settled in Saline county. John
Hamilton, the subject of this sketch, was born in Augusta county, Va.,
August 7, 1814, and was therefore 23 years old when the family came
to Missouri. He lived on the farm in Callaway county, and in 1840
was married to Miss Agnes G. Hamilton of that county, but of another

870

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and distinct family from his own. She died in the fall of 1846, and
he was married February 18, 1857, to Miss Sarah S. Moore/of Monroe
county. Mr. Hamilton continued farming up to 1866, when he en¬
framed in the grocery trade at Mexico. From there he came to Mont-
gomery City in 1869 and established his present furniture store. He
has since continued the business at this place, for a period now of 15
years, and is the master of this line of business at Montgomery City.
He carries a good stock of goods, and has a substantial, satisfactory
trade. By his first wife Mr. Hamilton reared a daughter, Margaret
A., and by his present wife he has a family of five children : Sarah M.,
Mrs. Marion Ford; Robert S., in the store of his father; Mary E.,
Emma M. and John M. He and wife are members of the Presby¬
terian Church. Mr. H. is a member of the Old Settlers’ Association.

CHARLES T. HAMILTON

(Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Stationery, Etc., Montgomery City) .

Mr. Hamilton may be said to have been reared in the drug business
for he has been identified with this branch of trade either as a clerk
or proprietor almost from boyhood. Now a druggist of first-class
qualifications, he has also established himself in business on his own
account, and has placed his store on a firm basis, sustained by a good
trade. He was born in Knox county, January 19, 1861, and was a
son of Elbert Hamilton and wife, who was a Miss Elizabeth Rutter,
before her marriage. The father was originally from Virginia, and
his mother from Kentucky, and the parents of each were early settlers
in North Missouri, where their families were reared, Mr. Hamilton’s
father in Knox county, and his mother in Marion county. After
their marriage they made their home in the vicinity of Newark, in
Knox county, and during the war Mr. Hamilton’s father, Elbert
Hamilton, was murdered by the militia. He was one of the ten men
shot at Macon city on the 26th of September, 1862, for no crime but
that of sympathizing with the South, from which they were all de¬
scendants and whence their forefathers and kindred came. The
mother is now the wife of G. G. Morris, a successful druggist and
respected citizen of Newark, in Knox county. Charles T. was
reared at Newark, and received a high school education. He was
early placed in his step-father’s drug store, to learn the business,
where he continued until 1878, when, after clerking for a time at La
Belle, in Lewis county, he established a store of his own at that place.
In the fall of 1882 he sold out there and came to Montgomery City,
where he opened out in the same business. February 28, 1882, he
was married to Miss Carrie H. Yancv, a daughter of Lyman Yancv,
of Palmvra. They have one child, Lyman Elbert, born November
6, 1883/

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

871

CHARLES D. HARPER

(Farmer and Fine Stock-raiser and Dealer, and Proprietor of the Montgomery City

Livery, Feed and Sales Stables).

All old citizens of Montgomery county are familiar with the life
and career of the father of the subject of this sketch, Col. Charles P.
Harper, a man whose record reflects only credit in the county of
which he was a resident for over half a century. Col. Harper was a
Virginian, and came to this State after his marriage, locating at Dan¬
ville in about 1831. His wife was a Miss Anna C. Price before their
marriage, related to the family whose name is justly so highly hon¬
ored in Missouri and Virginia and in several other States. Col.
Harper was for a number of years engaged in merchandising at Dan¬
ville. Meanwhile he improved a fine farm about five miles west of
the present site of Montgomery City, where he afterwards made his
home. He was a man who took a public-spirited interest in political
affairs, and was an ardent Democrat. He became a man of wide and
varied information, and a recognized leader of thought with the people
among whom he lived. He was elected to different official positions,
and among the rest represented his district with ability in the State
Senate. He died here early in 1883, having reached the advanced
age of 82. His wife had preceded him to the grave some six years.
Charles D. Harper, the sixth in the family of children, was born on
the farm near Montgomery City, May 4, 1841, and as he grew up
received a common-school education, supplemented with a course of
instruction at the Montgomery City high school. In 1861 he enlisted
in the Missouri State Guard, Southern service, under Jackson’s first
call, becoming a member of Capt. Roger’s company. He served out
his six months’ term of enlistment, and during this time took part in
the battle of Lexington and several lesser engagements. After this he
remained at home until 1864, when he went West, and remained in
Nevada and California until the fall of 1865, being engaged in stock
trading and in the livery business. On his return he resumed
handling stock, and has continued it until the present time,
making a specialty of breeding fine Clydesdale and Gold-dust
horses. Mr. Harper owns the ©Id family homestead near Mont¬
gomery City, containing some 400 acres, and about 400 acres
in other tracts. He established his excellent stables at this place in
the spring of 1884, and has about $6,000 invested in the business.
Mr. Harper is doing a good business in the livery line, and his stables
are popular both with the local and traveling public. He was married
October 17, 1867, to Miss Carrie, a daughter of Charles Lewis, of St.
Louis. They have a family of seven children: Bradley, Anna,
May, Urton, Arline, Alice and Leona. Mr. Harper is a prominent
Mason.

872

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

FRANK M. HAYDEN,

(Of Ferguson & Co., Proprietors of the Montgomery City Lumber Mills, and Dealers
and Contractors in Railroad Timber and Native Lumber).

Among the many energetic, thorough going Northern men who
came into Missouri after the war to make their future homes within
her borders and to unite the contributions of their industry and in¬
telligence with those of the people of this State in the development
of her resources and in advancing the State on the onward march of
progress and prosperity, not a few settled in Montgomery county.
Among the others of this class was the family of which the subject
of the present sketch was a member. Mr. Hayden’s parents, Nathan¬
iel and Sarah (Rhodes) Hayden, came to Montgomery county from
Ohio in 1867 and made their home at Montgomery City, where the
father engaged in the milling business. They had a family of three
children, all of whom subsequently married, namely: Myra, who
became the wife of Horatio Church, of Toledo, O., a railway conduc¬
tor by occupation, and who was killed on the Wabash road at Wells-
ville, in 1875 ; Laura, now the wife of Edward Pegram, a well known
live-stock man of St. Louis ; and Frank M., the subject of this sketch.
Frank M. Hayden was born at Dover, Tuscarawas county, April 15,
1846. He was principally reared in that county, and as he grew up
received a rather advanced education. He first took a course at the
schools of Dover, and then entered the high school of Delaware, O.
Subsequently he took a course in the schools of Cleveland, and, alto¬
gether, became well advanced in the higher branches. He also
studied book-keeping, and received something of a commercial edu¬
cation. Mr. Hayden’s first venture in business life was in the grain
business at Cochranton, O., where he was a grain contractor for about
a year. He was then offered a situation as clerk of the board of ex¬
aminers of the Fourth Army corps, . stationed at Louisville, Ky.,
which he accepted and held for some twelve or fifteen months. In
1867 Mr. Hayden came to St. Louis and was for about a year in a
real estate office at that place. From St. Louis he came to Montgom¬
ery City and engaged here in the milling business as a member of the
firm of Hayden & Everett. He continued a member of that firm for
four years, when Mr. Everett retired and Mr. H.’s father became a
partner, the style of the firm becoming Hayden & Son. Frank M.
Hayden sold out in 1873 and went to Kansas, where he remained some
five years engaged in the hardware business at Garnett. Returning
then to Montgomery City, he was in the grocery trade at this place
for a year, after which he engaged in the tobacco business. In 1882,
however, he resumed milling at this place and has continued it ever
since. His partner in business is his brother-in-law, James Ferguson,
of this place. Their present mill building was erected in 1881, and
is a large, tastily built structure, well arranged for the purpose for
which it was intended. Their plant of machinery, etc., is of the best
make and pattern, and they have a capacity of about 5,000 feet of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

873

lumber daily. They are contractors for supplying large quantities of
road and bridge timbers, etc., to the Wabash railway, and they make
heavy shipments of lumber to the West and North. Mr. Hayden is
general manager of the mill. On the 2d of October, 1877, Mr. Hay¬
den was married to Miss Mary Ferguson, only daughter of that old
and highly esteemed citizen of the county, Uncle Tom Ferguson.
Mrs. Hayden was educated at the convent in St. Charles. Mr. and
Mrs. H. have one child, Thomas N. Their eldest child, Irene, died in
her second year. Mrs. H. is a member of the Catholic Church.

ZACHARY T. HAYES

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Hayes is a native of Tennessee, born in Hancock county,
November 23, 1848, and the fourth of a family of 13 children, 12 of
whom and both parents are living, now residents of Montgomery
county. From Tennessee the family came to Missouri, including
Zachary T. The parents now reside in Cass county, Mo. On the
31st of May, 1871, Z. T. was married, in this State, to Elizabeth, a
daughter of John and Barbara Elrod, of Montgomery county, but
formerly of Tennessee. The following year Mr. Hayes, the subject
of this sketch, removed to Cass county, and was engaged in farming
there for three years ; he then located in Callaway county, where he
resided for five years and in 1881 came to Montgomery county to
take charge of the Harper stock farm, for the owner, Mr. C. D.
Harper; he has since had charge of this farm, and has managed it
with entire satisfaction to Mr. Harper and with excellent success.
Mr. and Mrs. H. have four children: Barbara E., Lula A. M., Olie
M. and Ora A. Irene is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are members
of the M. E. Church South.

JOSEPH HIBBERT

(Retail Dealer in Wines, Liquors, Beer, Cigars, Tobacco, etc., etc.,

Montgomery City).

Mr. Hibbert, one of the substantial property holders of Montgomery
City, is by nativity a son of the Empress Isle of the Seas, and was
born at Manchester, January 10, 1829. His parents were Thomas
Hibbert and wife, who before her marriage was a Miss Elizabeth
Lee. His father died when Joseph was quite young, and he was early
apprenticed to the machinist’s trade at Manchester, where he worked
as an apprentice for three years. He then worked as a mechanic for
two years in the same shop at full pay. In the fall of 1850 he em¬
barked at Liverpool for the New World, and in due time reached New
Orleans. From there he came to St. Louis and soon afterwards be¬
gan work in the United States arsenal machine shops, repairing guns,
artillery, etc. He continued in the Government shops for five years
and then worked in the shops of Renfroe & Co. for one year, assisting
to build during that time the St. Louis Water Works engine. While

874

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

at work for Renfroe & Co. he and John Stone built an engine and
machinery for a mill. They had selected Montgomery City as the
place to locate it, the town then having just been laid off and platted,
and so shipped their mill and machinery to Portland and from there
brought it to this place, arriving here July 4, 1856. A house had
not yet been erected within the limits of the “ town,” so that in
truth they were the pioneers of the place. They ran the mill until
the outbreak of the war, when they added a distillery, which they also
conducted for several years. In 1863, however, they sold out to
Capt. Goodrich, and Mr. H. ran the mill for him for some two years.
He then started a brewery, and later along a saloon, but five years
later closed the former and is still running the saloon. Mr. Hibbert
is no Pharisee. He believes in the great principles of religion as sin¬
cerely and earnestly as any man, and claims that his present occupa¬
tion is not only not opposed in the Scriptures, but is sanctioned
and authorized by the inspired Word of God. January 24, 1847, Mr.
Hibbert was married to Miss Marv Kelley. They have had 14 chil¬
dren, nine of whom are living. Mr. Hibbert is the chief patriarch of
the Odd Fellows’ Encampment, and his wife is a member of the Pres¬
byterian Church. He has a handsome residence property, built at a
cost of $5,000 in 1883, and planned by Architect Legg of St. Louis.
His house is on a beautiful plot of eight acres of ground, and is one
of the finest residences in the vicinity of Montgomery City.

JOHN W. JACKS

(^Proprietor of the Montgomery Standard , Montgomery City).

Mr. Jacks, of the Montgomery Standard , the leading newspaper of
the county in circulation, and perhaps in influence, as well as in busi¬
ness prosperity and success, is justly entitled to no inconsiderable
measure of credit for the enviable position his paper occupies among
the better class of country journals in North-east Missouri. Mr.
Jacks is a native of Missouri, born in Monroe county, September 1,
1845. His parents were John R. and Sally (Keithley) Jacks, the
former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Missouri. At the age of
14, Mr. Jacks entered the office of the Sturgeon, Mo., Neivs, whose
editor was Col. Strawn, where he worked until the office was closed
by the war. During the war he sold newspapers for a time to the
Federal soldiers stationed at Sturgeon. In 1865, he went to St.
Louis and was en^a^ed on the St. Louis Republican for some months.
D uring the next four years he was engaged on the Mexico Messenger ,
Columbia Statesman , and in the printing offices at Jefferson City. In
September, 1870, he established the Sturgeon, Mo., Leader , which
he conducted till January 1, 1873, when he sold out. Mean¬
time, in March, 1872, in company with Col. John E. Hutton, he es¬
tablished the Mexico Intelligencer , with which he was connected until
September, 1875. He then ran a job and book printing house in St.
Louis for about three years, when he bought the Franklin County
Observer , at Washington, Mo., which he conducted until September,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

875

1879. In May, 1880, he purchased the Montgomery Standard , which
he still edits and publishes. Mr. Jacks was married October 15,
1871, to Miss Narcissa B. Hulen, of Boone county. Four children
have been born of this union. Mr. and Mrs. Jacks are both members
of the Christian Church, and he is the superintendent of its Sabbath-
school. Mr. Jacks is also a member of the A. F. & A. M., A. O.
U. W., and Triple Alliance. He has frequently borne a prominent
part in the deliberations and councils of his party, and in 1872, in
the Democratic State Convention, he was chiefly instrumental in
causing the large vote to be cast for the nomination of Hon. James
S. Rollins as the Democratic candidate for Governor; it was by his
efforts that the Boone county delegation cast a solid vote for that gen¬
tleman. He was secretarv of the Missouri Press Association for
1883-84, and of the Democratic Congressional Convention of 1884, at
Montgomery City, which balloted 579 times unsuccessfully for a can¬
didate for Congress. He has also been secretary of numerous asse-
ciations, lodges, etc., and occupies a prominent position in society
and in the community. As an editorial writer, Mr. Jacks is plain,
incisive, and pointed ; gives his opinions in the fewest words, and
obeys the injunction of Geo. D. Prentice, to 4 4 quit when you get
through.” There is more in one of his dozen-line paragraphs fre¬
quently, than in half a column of the average 44 editorial.”

JAMES H. JONES

(Of Jones & Son, Grocers, Montgomery City).

Mr. Jones is of an old and respected family in Montgomery county.
His father, Rev. William R. Jones, came to this county from Georgia
away back in 1818.. He was subsequently married here to Miss Mary
Whiteside, formerly of Kentucky , and of another pioneer family in
the county. They settled in the vicinity of Danville, where they re¬
sided until their deaths. The father was a worthy farmer of the
county and a highly esteemed minister of the M. E. Church. He
died in 1862. The mother died in 1870. They had a family of 11 chil¬
dren, of whom eight are living : John H., James H., Amanda, Emeline
M., William R., Sylvester M., Thomas F. and PerryS. — all resi¬
dents of the county except Sylvester, who lives in Indiana. The two
eldest daughters are the wives, respectively, of James B. Wilson and
David Appling. James H. Jones was born near Danville, October 9,
1822, and was reared on the farm. June 23, 1853, he was married to
Miss Margaret B. Leach, a daughter of Henry Leach, of this county.
He then engaged in farming on Prairie fork, south-west of Danville,
where he continued to reside until 1880. He still owns his farm there
of 200 acres. For 12 years prior to settling down on his farm he
was engaged in school teaching. In 1880 he came to Montgomery
county, and has since been a resident of this place, engaged all the
time in business. He and Stephen Ham were first in partnership in
the grocery trade, but in the summer of 1882 his son, Milton F.,
bought out Mr. Ham’s interest, and since that the business has been

876

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

carried on by Jones & Son. They have a large general stock of gro¬
ceries and an established, satisfactory trade. Mr. and Mrs. Jones
have a family of five children: Eleanor, now Mrs. S. D. Ham ; Mil-
ton F., a partner with his father in business and educated at Mont¬
gomery City College; Lillian B., Fannie M. and Ada E. — Lillian
and Fannie having been educated at Montgomery City College. The
former has been successfully engaged in teaching in the public school
at Montgomery City for two }7ears, and the latter is a teacher in the
country.

WILLIAM R. JONES

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Jones was born in Montgomery county, November 16, 1834,
and was the fourth in the family of 11 children of William and Mary
F. Jones. The parents were early settlers in Montgomery county
from Kentucky, and the father died here in 1862. William R., Jr.,
was reared on the farm where his father settled on coming to
Montgomery county ; and in 1861 he was married to Miss Sarah J.,
a daughter of Henry H. and Frances Leach, formerly of Virginia.
After his marriage he engaged in farming for himself, or rather he
continued it, for he had already started out in life making farming
his permanent occupation. In 1867, his father having died in the
meantime, he located on the old family homestead, where he now re¬
sides and which he owns. This is a good farm of 150 acres. Mr.
Jones’ wife died in 1881, leaving him two children, Julia F. and
Clara E. Julia is the wife of David H. Whitehead, of this county.
In the fall of 1881 Mr. Jones removed to Montgomery City where he
was in business and served as deputy postmaster. He returned to
the farm, however, in 1883. During the war he served about a
year in the Home Gruard and State Militia. Mr. Jones’ son-in-
law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead, reside on the farm.

JAMES IvELLAR

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City) .

Mr. Kellar, who is one of the more energetic, thorough-going farm-
ers of this township, is a native of the county, a son of Edward
and Sarah Kellar, and born November 27, 1853. In youth he had
common school advantages and was reared a farmer. His father died
when he was quite young, and he, therefore, was thrown on his own
resources at an early age. He started out for himself without a
dollar, and although still a young man has bv his industry and good
management accumulated a neat property. He has a good place of
140 acres, which he bought in 1870. He is making a specialty of
stock, and is raising, trading in and handling them to advantage.
His farm is well adapted for stock purposes, and will doubtless in¬
crease as years of prosperity come and go. In 1878 Mr. Kellar was
married to Sarah E. Fipps, a daughter of David and Sarah Fipps.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

877

Mr. nnd Mrs. K. have three children : Nellie, Pearl and Mamie Ethel.
Mrs. K. is a church member.

ANDREW KIRN

(Proprietor of the Montgomery City Meat Market) .

Mr. Kirn, who has had almost a life time experience in the meat
market business, and who by his industry and good management has
accummulated valuable property in Montgomery City, is, like many
of the thrifty, intelligent citizens of this county, a German by nativ¬
ity. He was born in Baden, November 14, 1827. His parents were
Zirig and Mary (Kepfer) Kirn, and in 1847 his father and family, in¬
cluding himself, his mother, however, having previously died in Ger¬
many, came to America, landing at New Orleans. After a short time
here they came to St. Louis where the father also died. Andrew
worked at different occupations at St. Louis and learned both the
basket maker’s and butcher’s trade. In 1852 he went to California
and spent 16 years in the Golden State engaged mainly in the meat
market business. He returned to St. Louis in 1868 and soon after¬
ward came to Montgomery City, where he bought out William Fer¬
guson, and has since run the Montgomery City meat market. He has
a two-story brick, 20x60 feet in dimensions, and is building another
one adjoining, the same size. He also has a comfortable residence
property at this place. December 24, 1858, he was married, in
Eldorado, Cal., to Miss Louisa Willi, who was born in Hermann,
Gasconade county, Mo. They have five children : Andrew, Emma,
Julia, Emil and Elsie. Mr. Kirn’s wife died December 20, 1883, and
his daughter Emma is his housekeeper. Julia is the wife of James
Gill. Mr. K. is a member of the Masonic order and of the I. O.
O. F.

JAMES LAIL

(Stock Dealer and Shipper, Montgomery City).

Mr. Lail is well known here and in the wholesale markets as one of
the active, enterprising stockmen of Montgomery county. He has
been in the stock business more or less continuously from early man¬
hood and understands the business thoroughly, being conceded to be
one of the best judges of stock in the county. He was a son of Eli¬
jah and Harriet (Allen) Lail, old and highly respected residents of
Callaway county, but now deceased, and was born on his father’s
farm, October 12, 1846. He was one of a family of 12 children, the
others being: Adoniram, George, Mary S.,the wife of J. W. Arnold,
of Audrain county: John W., Amanda, deceased, wife of Thomas
Hamilton; Zachariah T., Joseph S., Elizabeth J., deceased, wife of
W. R. Wells; Lucy, wife of J. P. Covington; Harriet L., wife of
Edward Annent, and Sarah C., wife of William Elmore. The parents
came from Kentucky, where the father, before removing to this State,
was largely engaged in farming and handling stock. He was the
owner of a number of slaves. He died in Callaway county in 1869.

878

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

James Lail was reared in that county and received a common school
education, remaining at home on the farm until he was 20 years of
age. He was then engaged in merchandising at Shamrock, in that
county, for about nine years, and also traded in stock to some extent
during that time. Since then Mr. Lail has been in the stock business
exclusively. For five years he was handling cattle in Colorado. He
came to Montgomery City in the spring of 1882 and has since made
this place his headquarters in business. February 1, 1870, Mr. Lail
was married to Miss Susan C. Covington, a daughter of H. W. Cov¬
ington, of this county. They have two children : Andrew B. and
Lelia M. They have lost two : Henry L. and Montie C. Mr. L. is a
member of the A. F. and A. M.

H. CLARK LEWIS

(Of Lewis & Bruner, General Real Estate and Loan Agents, Montgomery City) .

Howell Clark Lewis, of the above named firm, like his partner,
Mr. Bruner, comes from an old and respected New York family. He
was a son of Commodore Chauncy and Elizabeth Lewis, her maiden
name having been also Lewis, but of a different familv from that of
her husband ; both born and reared in the Empire State. They met,
however, and were married in Washington county, Mo., w7here she
was reared, but he was partly reared in Indiana. Seven years after
their marriage, in 1837, they removed to Wisconsin, where they resided
until 1850, when thev came back to Missouri, settling in Washington
county. H. Clark Lewis was born before his parents removed to
Missouri, on the 4th of Februaiy, 1839. He was reared in Wash¬
ington county, after his parents’ return to Missouri, where he con¬
tinued to reside until he was about 22 years of age, the county line
meanwhile, however, being changed so that his place of residence was
included in Iron county. On the 2d of June, 1859, he was married
to Miss Martha C. Evans, of that countv. Prior to his marriage he
learned the wagonmaker’s trade, which he followed in Iron county
until two years after that event, when he went to Carondelet and
engaged in work on gunboats for the Government. He worked there
until 1864 and then came to Montgomerv countv, where he followed
farming for two years. Following this he came to Montgomery City
and worked two years at his trade, but being attacked with inflam¬
matory rheumatism he had to retire from the active work of the shop.
In 1870 he was elected, as justice of the peace and in 1873 he was
elected mayor, being continuously elected every year except one aft¬
erwards until 1884. In 1872 he engaged in the real estate business
with A. P. McCanne and for the last six years has been in partnership
in this line with his present partner, Mr. Bruner. Their business
has been spoken of in the sketch of Mr. B. on a former page. Mr. and
Mrs. Lewis have six children : Ella, now Mrs. John Patton ; Mattie, a
young lady at home ; William, engaged in boating on the Upper Mis¬
sissippi ; James R., at home, and Thomas E.,in the insurance business
in Kentucky. Miss Mattie is a popular teacher of the county and was

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

879

educated at the Montgomery City College. Mrs. L. is a member of
the M. E. Church South, as is also Mrs. Patton and Miss Mattie and
Thomas E. Lewis.

FELIX T. LEWIS

(Farmer ancl Stock-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Among the thorough-going farmers and responsible citizens of
Montgomery township is to be mentioned the subject of the present
sketch, Mr. Lewis. He is a native of the county where he still resides
and where he was reared, and was born March 13, 1842. His parents
were Ennis W. and Sarah (Andrews) Lewis, his father born and
reared in Missouri, but his mother originally of Virginia. She died
in 1856. The father is still living in Montgomery county, one of its
respected old citizens. Felix T. was reared on the farm, and remained
at home until 1864, when he went to the State of Nevada and spent
two vears in Austin, of that State. Returning home then he engaged
in farming in this county, and has since followed it continuously and
with satisfactory success. He has a good farm of about 250 acres,
which is substantially and comfortably improved. In 1872 Mr. Lewis
was married to Miss Sarah Hoage, daughter of Samuel Hoage, formerly
of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. L. have six children : Katie B., Mannie,
Ardie, Maggie, Isaac and Jesse K.

ASA P. McCANNE

(Attorney at Law, Montgomery City).

In presenting in this work biographical sketches of the representa¬
tive citizens of the county, it would be an inexcusable omission not to
include at least a brief sketch of the subject of the present notice. In
preparing an outline, however, of the life of Mr. McCaune we are
met by two serious embarrassments — one, the absence of any suffi¬
cient or satisfactory data ; and the other, his own sensitive nature,
which shrinks instinctively from being made the subject of public
comment. Through what is almost over modestv, the writer thinks,
Mr. McCanne has declined to give any appreciable data from which to
write a sketch of his life. But being a representative citizen of the
county we feel that he should be represented in this volume. Asa
Parker McCanne was born in Randolph county, Missouri, October
31, 1844. His father was Thos. McCanne, in early life a teacher by
profession, and later a farmer by occupation. His mother’s maiden
name was Polly A. Jones. Both were from Lincoln county, Ky.,
where they were married, and whence they came to Randolph county,
Mo., in about 1830. They resided on a farm in Randolph county for
some sixteen years, or until Asa P. was about two years of age, when,
in 1846, they removed to the State of Texas, where they resided a
short time and then went to the State of Louisiana. While residents
of these States the mother died, and afterwards the father with his
family returned to Texas. But in 1859 he removed to Missouri and

880

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

resettled in Randolph county, the old home and birthplace of Mr. Mc-
Canne. He died there soon afterwards. Young McCanne’s early
youth was spent principally in the schools of the different neighbor¬
hoods in which his parents resided ; and he received constant instruc¬
tion from his father, who took a profound interest in his education.
But his father dying whilst Asa P. was yet a youth, he was thus at an
early age thrown upon his own resources. Already, however, he had
acquired that taste for study which has ever afterwards been one of his
most marked characteristics, and which has been instrumental in ad¬
vancing him to a worthy position in life. In 1863 he engaged in
clerking in a mercantile house at St. Louis, and later along became
interested in the real estate business at Kansas City. He had early
formed a purpose to devote himself to the profession of the law, and
he therefore subordinated everything to become a licentiate of the
legal profession and, as he hoped, ultimately, a successful lawyer.
By strict economy he had succeeded, in 1866, in accumulating suffi¬
cient means to enable him to prosecute, to a successful issue, his legal
education. He therefore went to New York City and became a ma¬
triculate at Columbia College, taking a regular course in that
institution and graduating with distinction in 1868. By this
time his means were exhausted and he was compelled to
resort, temporarily, to teaching. He went to Lincoln county, Ky.,
where his parents were reared, where he taught for two years. Such
were his qualifications and success as a teacher, that at the expiration
of his time he was earnestly solicited to accept the presidency of
“Home College,” in Marion county, of that State, to which solicita¬
tion he consented. Not yet being financially situated to locate in the
practice of the law, he conducted that institution with marked success
for four regular terms, when he was again elected but resigned his
position to engage in the regular practice of law. He then returned
from Kentucky to his native State, Missouri, and located at Marti ns-
burg, where he practiced for two years. From that point he came
directly to Montgomery City. His record here since then is familiar
to the people of Montgomery county — a record that reflects only
credit on the community of which he is a member. Mr. McCanne
has had a most successful career in the criminal practice, and during
his entire experience at the bar he has never lost a criminal case. On
account of his success, indeed, in this direction, he has won the sobri¬
quet of the “jury lawyer.” Mr. McCanne has held the office of
mayor of this city and some minor positions, but has never made a
business of politics or a pursuit of “ office seeking.” On the 13th of
February, 1878, he was married to Miss Alice A. Crane, a refined and
estimable lady, a daughter of Joseph G. Crane, of Callaway county.
They have one child, a son, called bv the euphonious and longitudin-
ous name of Joseph Gresham Cowherd McCanne. He is a bright and
promising boy. Mr. and Mrs. McC. are members of the Christian
Church, and be is a prominent Odd Fellow and Mason. We again
apologize for this imperfect sketch, but charge it to Mr. McCanne’s
diffidence and our eagerness to place him in this History.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

881

JAMES W. MILLAM

(Architect and Contractor and Builder; and of Mounts & Co., Dealers in Lumber,

Shingles, Laths, Hair, Lime, Etc., Montgomery City).

Mr. Millan, a member of the principal lumber firm of this place, is
justly conceded to be one of the representative, thorough-going busi¬
ness men of the west-central part of the county. He has already
achieved a degree of success in business affairs that would reflect no
discredit on one far older than he in experience, notwithstanding he
came up without the advantage of means to begin with, and with
nothing but his own energy, industry and intelligence to rely upon.
He was born -in Bedford county, Va., February 22, 1849, and was
reared to early manhood in his native State. His parents were John
E. and Matilda (Hudson) Millam, the ancestry of each of whom have
long been settled in Eastern Virginia. Young Millam’s school advant-
ages were limited to the neighborhood schools where he was reared,
but he learned enough of books for all ordinary purposes. During
the war the situation of affairs became such that he was twice com¬
pelled to shoulder his musket and do service in the Virginia State
Guard, being in one or two engagements. In 1867 the fainilv came
to Missouri and settled near Wellsville, where they still reside.
Here James W. learned the carpenter’s trade, and also gave attention
to the study of architecture. Having a natural aptitude for building
and mechanical work he soon became proficient in this branch of in¬
dustry . He has followed it with success principally ever since he learned
it, and for some years past he has been the architect and builder of
most of the better houses in and around Montgomery Citv. He became
a member of the firm of Mounts & Co. in the lumber trade in January,
1884. This firm is the successor to Frank Sabouren, and their trade
will amount to 100 car loads of lumber annually. Mr. Millam has a
ueat and commodious residence property in the college building, and
also some other valuable town property. August 18, 1872, he was
married to Miss Hattie Mounts, a daughter of Asa Mounts, his partner,
originally of Iowa. They have a family of four children : William H.,
Addie Belle, Dollie Irene and Lucy. Mrs. M. is a member of the O.
S. Presbyterian Church.

JOHN W. OLIVER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Oliver’s father, John R. Oliver, a gallant old soldier in the
War of 1812, was born and reared in Clark county, Ky. Two years
before the war broke out he was married in that county to Miss
Margaret Miller, and when he was called to the defense of his country
was settled down in Clark county, quietty and successfully engaged in
farming. Leaving his home he did not return until the close of the
war. Among other engagements he was in the famous “ Dudley’s
Defeat,” from which so few escaped with their lives. Returning to

882

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Kentucky, he continued to reside in Clark county until 1826, when he
came to Missouri, and settled in Montgomery county, where his family
was partly reared. His wife died here July 24, 1860, and he Sep¬
tember 1, 1870. John W. Oliver, who was the second in his father’s
family of children, was born in Montgomery county, April 12, 1833,
and was reared on a farm in this county. On attaining manhood he
followed in the footsteps of his father and became a farmer, an occu¬
pation he has ever since continued to follow. Having learned by ex¬
perience and by the example of his father, that only by hard work,
economy and good management can one prosper as a farmer, he has
made these three requisites his rule of life, and with substantial re¬
sults. He has become one of the well-to-do farmers and stock-
raisers of the township, and has a good place of over 400 acres,
well improved and stocked. Mr. Oliver married Miss Arthusa Ham,
a daughter of Stephen Ham, the pioneer settler of this county
referred to elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. O. have six children: Bettie J.,
John C., Eldridge T., Frederick W., Stephen L. and D. A. Both
parents are members of the Baptist Church. During the war Mr.
Oliver served for about 18 months in the State militia.

REV. ISAAC M. OLIVER

(Minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, and Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office,

Montgomery City).

Rev. Mr. Oliver is a brother to John W. Oliver, whose sketch pre¬
cedes this, and was born in this county August 1, 1835. The Oliver
family, in religious views, are of the Missionary, or regular Baptist
faith, and came originally from North Carolina. From there one
branch of the family settled in Tennessee, another branch in Clark
county, Ky., and still others in different parts of the country. Nu¬
merous members of the family have taken prominent places in church
history. Among others in this State are called to mind at the moment
Rev. Joseph Oliver, a prominent member of the Macon Baptist Asso¬
ciation, formerly of Clark county, Ky., who, in the course of his
ministry, baptised over 300 persons. His remains now rest at Mt.
Tabor cemetery, near Atlanta, in Macon county, where he was buried
in 1877, after having reached his seventy-fourth year; and also Rev.
Lunsford Oliver, a representative of the Tennessee branch of the
family, who was the first settler of what is now Newton county.
Speaking of the first Baptist associations formed in South-west Mis¬
souri, and referring particularly to the Mt. Olivet Church, of Lawrence
county, organized in 1840, Campbell’s Gazetteer of Missouri says:
“ Only 10 years before this, the first white man, Lunsford Oliver, a
native of Tennessee, settled in this part of the State. He located in
what is now Newton county, and had no neighbor within 40 miles.”
He was the pioneer Baptist minister of that section of Missouri, as
well as one of its first settlers. Two brothers of John Oliver’s family
have become ministers of the Baptist Church, Rev. Isaac M. Oliver,
the subject of this sketch, and Rev. Albert P. Oliver, a sketch of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

883

whom is given on the next page. Rev. Isaac M. Oliver identified
himself as a member of the church of which he is now a minister,
when quite a young man, and soon afterwards determined to devote
himself to the ministry. His general education was confined to what
he could obtain in the ordinary district schools of the neighborhood,
and in about 18fi3 he began to study for the ministry. Indeed, before
this he had been a diligent biblical student for some time, and had
sought to inform himself generally in matters of church government
and in the more essential views and doctrines of the different denom¬
inations. On the 20th of October, 1865, he was licensed to preach
by his church, and two years later, on the 29th of December, 1867,
was regularly ordained by a presbytery composed of Elders R. S.
Duncan, G. B. Smith and Caleb Bush. Since that time Rev. Mr.
Oliver has been actively engaged in the labors of the ministry. His
work has been largely of a missionary character. In 1873 he organ¬
ized the church at Salem, and in July, 1875, the church at White
Hall. He has been pastor of the church at Wellsville, and for three
years was pastor of the church at Salem, when he resigned the care
of this church on account of approaching bad health. At this instance
the church gave him a very high recommendation, which we here pub¬
lish : —

Whereas, Our beloved brother and former pastor, Bro. I. M. Oliver, has seen
proper to resign his pastoral care of the church ; therefore,

Resolved , That we, as a Church, cordially indorse him as a faithful pastor and true¬
hearted brother, whose labors to erect and complete our house of worship have been
characteristic of an earnest worker in the vineyard of the Lord. May our blessed
Lord continue to bless his labors in the future is the prayer of his brothers and sis¬
ters at Salem Church.

Resolved , That a copy of this be entered on the records of the Church, and a copy
be presented to Bro. I. M. Oliver.

By order of the Church.

I). W. Grant, Moderator.

A. P. Oliver, Clerk.

February 23, 1878.

Mr. Oliver is a man of earnest piety and takes a deep interest in the
cause of religion. He is a man of much general information, and the
fine general library he has, which bears the marks of long but proper
use, shows that he is a man whose investigations are not confined to
any narrow, prejudiced channel, but that he seeks the truth in all
directions, or wherever it may be found, and is not afraid to recognize
it when he meets it. In 1874, Rev. Mr. Oliver was married to Miss
Margaret Allison, a daughter of Alexander Allison and wife, nee Eliz¬
abeth - , both formerly of Tennessee, and her father a minister

of the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver have two
children, Ira M. and Alex. J. Three are deceased, Isaac, Allison and
Virgil. Rev. Mr. Oliver is a life member of the American Baptist
Publication Society. After his marriage he located on the farm where
he now resides, which he had previously bought. He has given a large
share of his attention to farming interests, has been quite successful,
and has accumulated a comfortable property by his own industry and

884

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

good management. Mr. Oliver’s farm contains 355 acres, and is well
improved and well stocked. He and wife have reared a niece of hers,
Miss Ella F. Duncan, a refined and interesting young lady.

ALBERT P. OLIVER

(Minister of the Missionary Baptist Church and Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office,

Montgomery City).

Rev. Albert P. Oliver was the youngest in his father’s family of
children, and was born January 14, 1838. Like his brothers, he re¬
ceived only a common-school education. Reared to a farm life, as
soon as he attained his majority, or about that time, he embarked in
life for himself as a farmer, and has followed it continuously ever
since, but for a number of years past devoting more or less time to
the work of the ministry. Like his brothers, Mr. Oliver is comfort-
ably situated in life, and all largely the fruit of his own industry. His
farm contains 470 acres, and he is engaged in both growing grain
and raising stock. In 1868 Rev. Mr. Oliver was married to Miss

CD __

Sarah C. Johnson, a daughter of ’Squire James B. and Dorinda
( Stone) Johnson, of this county, but formerly of Virginia. Three
children are the fruits of their union: Andrew, Milton M. and Em¬
met. Rev. Mr. Oliver united with the Missionary Baptist Church in the
fall of 1866. Later along he studied for the ministry, but was not
formally licensed to preach until 1870. He has since been engaged
when his services are needed in work for the church from time to
time. He is a member of the old Citizens’ Association of Mont¬
gomery county. Born and reared in the county, though now 47
years of age, he has never been outside of the State. Mr. and Mrs.
Oliver have a niece of her’s whom they are raising, Dorinda C.
Boone, now a young girl about 14 years of age.

BENJAMIN PALMER

(Postmaster, and of B. Palmer & Son, Druggists, Danville).

Mr. Palmer has been a resident of Montgomery county almost con¬
tinuously for the last forty years, and has been engaged in his pre¬
sent line of business since 1870, being also postmaster during this
time. He is a native of New York, born in Senecacounty, September
19, 1807. His parents, Jesse and Nancy Palmer, were originally from
Maryland. Mr. Palmer was reared in New York and learned the cabi¬
net maker’s trade as he grew up. In about 1830 he went to Maryland
and worked at his trade there for two years, when he returned to
New York, spending the following year at the metropolis. In 1833 he
went to Canada and two years later to Buffalo. He was married at
Buffalo in 1835 to Miss Phoebe B. Dennis. The following year they
removed to Newark, Ohio, and in 1844 came to Missouri, locating
in Montgomery county, where, with the exception of six years, dur¬
ing which Mr. Palmer was farming in Boone county, they have ever
since resided. For two years Mr. Palmer was boating on the Missis-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

885

sippi river. During the war he was U. S. Marshal for four counties,
including Montgomery, principally occupied with enrolling the people
of the male population above the age of 18 with a view of determin¬
ating their loyalty as required bylaw, or by authority of the Govern¬
ment. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have reared two children, Warren W.,
whose sketch follows this, and Mary D., a young lady at home. Mr.
Palmer carries a good stock of goods and has an excellent trade. His
long service as postmaster shows that he has made an officer alike
satisfactory to the Government and popular with the people. He is
one of the highly respected old residents of this community.

WARREN W. PALMER

(Dealer in Clothing, Gents’ Furnishing Goods, Etc., Montgomery City) .

A son of Benjamin Palmer, whose sketch precedes this, Mr. Pal¬
mer, Jr., was reared at Danville, and after he grew up remained there
engaged in business with his father until the winter of 1882-83, when
he came to Montgomery City and established his present business.
His experience thus far at Montgomery City has been entirely satis¬
factory and he is now well established here as one of its substantial
business men. Brought up to business life, he has made it his study
from boyhood, and having had ample experience in trade, his advan¬
tages for a successful career have been and are hardly less than could
be desired. His desire is to keep only such goods as are required by
the custom and as recommend themselves by their quality, style and
the prices charged. Mr. Palmer was born at Danville, December 28,
1858, and was educated in the schools of that place. He early began
clerking for his father and continued with him until 1878, when he

w _ '

accepted a situation in the store of W. D. Bush, now of Fulton, but
then of Danville. Afterwards he became a member of the firm of
Palmer, McMahan & Co. As stated above, he came to Montgomery
City and established his present business at this place in February,
1883. He gives this house his personal attention, his father having
charge of the drug house at Danville, On the 21st of June, 1883, he
was married to Miss Minnie, a daughter of Dr. F. S. Clare. Mr.
Palmer is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows order. In 1882
he was the Republican candidate against W. L. Gupton for county
clerk, but the Democratic majority in the county prevented his
election.

GEORGE A. PALMER

(Farmer and Stoek-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Among the early settlers of Lincoln county were Mr. Palmer’s
parents, Burton and Rebecca (Bruce) Palmer, who removed to that
county from Kentucky in 1828. The father entered land there and
became a substantial farmer. He died in 1858. The mother died
in 1846. George A. Palmer was born on the farm in Lincoln
countv Julv 2, 1832, and was reared to farm work. At the age
of 18, however, he went overland to California, and was six months

886

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

on the way, and afterwards remained for five years on the Pacific
coast, engaged principally in mining, but, also, for a time in teaming
and herding cattle. The year before he went out, there was a sad
scene on the plains, in which he had a deep interest, but all uncon¬
scious to himself. Robert Gilmore and wife and their four children,
three sons and a daughter, Margaret, had started to California.
Water was then scarce on the plains, but at that time the fatal effect
of drinking the alkali water was little known by the generality of
people. While on the way, and almost perishing of thirst, they
came to a beautiful fountain of crystal water, which seemed to them
to be a special gift of Providence. Having tasted the water, the
father and mother and one son were soon cold in death. The oth¬
ers narrowly escaped. Margaret Gilmore and George A. Palmer
were reared children together, and almost daily passed a few of the
bright hours of youth together, and very naturally became betrothed be¬
fore their separation . Owing to the death of her parents, Miss Gilmore
returned to Missouri with a brother shortly after her arrival in Cali-
fornia, and so did not meet her betrothed until after his return to the
scenes of their childhood, or for five long years. But now the con¬
summation of all their hopes and of the many happy dreams of their
earlier years were realized. They were married early in 1856. Mr.
Palmer continued to reside in Lincoln county, successfully engaged in
farming, until 1871, when he removed to Montgomery county, and
settled on the place where he now resides. A man of much worth
and untiring industry, he has been quite successful as a farmer.
He has 680 acres of land in his tract, over half of which is under fence
and in a good state of improvement. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have had
six children, namely : Mary, now Mrs. James Powell; Martha, the
wife of Albert Hensley; Cora, born in 1863, died in 1874; William,
Charley and Joseph T.

EUGENE B. PEGRAM

(Farmer and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Pegram was principally reared to mercantile life, and after he
grew up was engaged in business at Montgomery City until early in
the spring of 1883, when he sold out and began handling stock aud
farming. He has been quite successful in the stock business, and is
rapidly coming to the front as one of the active, enterprising stock
buyers and shippers of the east-central part of the county. Mr. Pe¬
gram is a son of ’Squire J. L. Pegram of Montgomery City, and was
born on his father’s homestead, August 17, 1849. His mother was a
Miss Julia K. Otey, now deceased, and both his parents were from
Virginia. They were early settlers in Virginia, and located first in
St. Charles county, in 1837. Subsequently they removed to Mont¬
gomery county, and improved a farm on Loutre creek. Later along
they removed to the vicinity of Montgomery City, and settled on a
farm about two miles east of this place, which ’Squire Pegram im¬
proved. He sold this place, however, in 1860, and removed to town

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

887

where he still resides. Eugene B., the subject of this sketch, was a
lad of about 11 years when the family removed to Montgomery City,
and he was therefore partly reared in town. He attended the schools
of the place as he grew up, and while yet in youth entered the store
of his brother-in-law, Ben. Barnes, as a clerk to learn merchandising.
He continued with Mr. Barnes for a number of years, and finally be¬
came interested with him in business, establishing a clothing store at
Montgomery City. This was carried on with success until the spring
of 1883, when Mr. P. retired from the clothing business in order to
engage in handling stock. He is now connected in business with
Overstreet & Co., of the Union Stock yards at St. Louis, in which
firm his brother, Ed. Pegram, is a partner. This is one of the lead¬
ing stock firms of St. Louis. Mr. P.’s brother-in-law, Ben. Barnes,
is at the head of one of the leading commission houses of that city,
and a prominent member of the Board of Trade. Mr. Barnes was
for a number of years a merchant at this place (Montgomery City),
and is well known here as one of the most enterprising, public-spirited
and broad-gauged business men ever in the place. September 15,
1878, Mr. Pegram was married to Miss Mollie Scarry, a daughter of
William Scarry, of St. Louis, but formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, where
Mrs. Pegram was reared and educated. She is a member of the
Catholic Church.

THOMAS J. PORTER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Porter’s farm contains 360 acres all fenced and in active culti¬
vation, meadow or pasturage. His place is otherwise well improved,
with a commodious two-story dwelling and other buildings, etc., to
correspond. Mr. Porter is recognized not only for his success in the
management of his farm, but in the manner in which he keeps it. A
native of Ohio, he has introduced methods and ideas of Northern
farming into the management of his own place, which have had not a
little to do with bringing about the success that has awarded his in¬
dustry. He was born in Belmont county, O., on the 19th of Febru¬
ary, 1836, and was the second in the family of children of Archibald
and Eliza J. Porter, both also natives of that State. He received a
good common school education as he grew up on his father’s farm in
Ohio, and in 1858 was married to Miss Mary E. Bay, a daughter of
the well known Maj. J. C. Bay, of this county, who came here from
Ohio in 1859. The Major died in 1878, but his widow is still living,
and finds a pleasant home with her daughter, Mrs. Purvis. Mr. Por¬
ter is engaged to a considerable extent in the stock business, and ships
cattle and hogs to the wholesale markets. Mr. and Mrs. P. have four
children : Wallace M., James H., Orville E. and Orr S. Charles L.,
the first son, died in infancy. Mrs. P. is a member of the M. E.
Church North. Mr. Porter was in the Enrolled militia during the war
for about a year. He is a member of the Masonic order.

888

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

GEORGE W. ROBERTSON

(Dealer in Hardware, Tinware, Farm Machinery, Baggies, Carriages, Etc., Mont¬
gomery City).

Mr. Robertson stands at the head of perhaps the leading house in
his line in Montgomery county. He carries a stock of between $10,000
and $15,000 and six salesmen are required to attend to his trade.
He occupies the Barnes’ block, his sales-room being 24x90 feet in
dimensions and his tin shop 20x24. Besides the other numerous lines
of goods he carries are the Buckeye, the Bennett, and the Empire
Harvesters ; the Deere farm machinery, the Deere, Mansur &Co. bug¬
gies and also the Courtland busies and carriages. He began busi-
ness here in 1878 and his trade from that time to this has had a steady,
substantial growth, whilst he has regularly increased his stock to
meet the demands of his increasing trade. Mr. Robertson’s house
may therefore be considered one of the established, substantial and
fixed business houses of Montgomery City. Mr. Robertson was born
and reared in Lincoln county, and is a son of Ben. F. Robertson, a
leading business man and influential citizen of the vicinity of Burr
Oak Valley, born near Auburn December 9th, 1853. His mother was
a Miss Elizabeth Gillan before her marriage. His father is now en¬
gaged in merchandising at Folley Station. The father was a farmer,
and the proprietor of a large mill as well as a merchant, and the youth
of George W. was spent in assisting on the farm, helping at mill and
clerking at the store, as well as attending the neighborhood schools.
He also attended select school, and in 1869 went to St. Louis, and
took a course in Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College. After
this, deciding to secure a more advanced general education, he en¬
tered Central College at Faj^ette, Missouri, for that purpose. He
took a regular course at Central College and graduated in 1872. He
then went to Cornell University, New York, where he took a special
course in chemistry and advanced mathematics. After a year spent
at Cornell Universitv, he entered Eastman’s Commercial College at
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he graduated with the highest honor, re¬
ceiving the highest grade of his class. Returning from Poughkeepsie
in 1875, he was now offered, and he accepted, the position of book¬
keeper in the large wholesale farm machinery house of Taylor &
Co. in St. Louis, for whom he worked a vear. After this he was
with Lee & Adams, leading attorneys of that city, for a year. In
1877 he formed a partnership with A. C. DePue in the general mer¬
chandise line at Cap au Gris, under the firm name of Robertson &
DePue. Less than a year later he came to Montgomery City, where
he established his present business. Mr. Robertson was married Sep¬
tember 6, 1876, to Miss Mary E. Bratton, a daughter of James Berry
Bratton, a prominent citizen of Boone county. Mr. R. first met his
then future wife at commencement exercises at Central College,
where he became acquainted with her. Heaven has blessed them

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

889

with three children: Sue, Benjamin Franklin, and Elizabeth G.
Mrs. R. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

SYLVESTER J. SAILOR

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Sailor, an industrious and respected farmer of this township,
is a native of the county in which, thus far, his whole life has been
spent, born October 5, 1834. His parents both came to this county
in an early day, and both from Kentucky ; his father, James Sailor,
in 1824, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sabina Cobb, in
1820. They were married in 1828 and reared a family of 11 children,
namely : Nancy M., Mary A., Cyrenia, Margaret, Lucy, James, John,
Celathall, George, Virginia and Sylvester J., who was the third in the
family. The father was a substantial farmer and left an estate of 600
acres of fine land at his death, mostly improved. He died in 1872 at
the age of 64. His wife died in 1858, aged 48. Sylvester J. was
reared on the farm, and on the 2d of April, 1861, was married to Miss
Jemima A. Lark, of Callaway county, a daughter of Joseph and
Narcissa Lark. Five children are the fruits of their marriage : Mary,
Mittie, Joseph, Washington (deceased) and Ethel. During the war
Mr. Sailor did gallant service in the Confederate army. He and wife
are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the A.
F. and A. M. Mr. Sailor, having been reared a farmer, adopted that
as his regular calling and has ever since followed it without material
interruption. He has a good farm of 200 acres, situated in sections
6 and 7. He is an energetic farmer and a worthy, estimable citizen.

ISAAC O. SAILOR

(Machinist, and of Sailor, Rogers & Peveler, Proprietors of the Montgomery City

Machine Shops).

Mr.- Sailor, a thorough machinist and a skillful mechanic by natural
aptitude, has been a resident of Montgomery City and in his present
line of industry at this place since 1880, when he came here from the
western part of the county, and in partnership with Mr. Rodgers
bought the machine shops, which their present firm is now success¬
fully conducting. They do general repairing work, both in wood and
iron, and make a specialty of repairing engines and boilers and other
classes of machinery. They also do general machinist’s work and
have a blacksmith shop in connection with their establishment. Mr.
Sailor was born in Montgomery county, February 11, 1835, and his
parents, John H. Sailor and wife, nee Virginia Perkins, were both
from Kentucky. The father died here in 1844. Isaac was reared on
the farm and was the oldest of five brothers, three of whom are
living — one in South-west Missouri and another in Texas. * After he
grew up Isaac O. Sailor learned the blacksmith’s trade on Loutre
island, or, rather, took it up, for he was a natural mechanic. He
worked at that with success, and also ran a farm which he owned in

890

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

that part of the county, until he came to Montgomery City. The
firm now employ seven men in their shop. February 24, 1857, Mr.
Sailor was married to Miss Sebrina Peveler, a daughter of David
Peveler, of this county. They have three children: Ellen, wife of
John Norman ; John D. (married), and William O., who is in the
shops with his father. Mr. S. is a member of the Masonic order.

GEORGE W. SAILOR

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, and Stock Dealer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

An enterprising, successful agriculturist of this township, Mr.
Sailor is one of its thorough-going, well-to-do farmers and stockmen.
His place contains 425 acres, and is well improved and stocked with
good grades of farm animals. He is making a specialty of raising
short-horns. Mr. Sailor was born in this county July 8, 1837, and
was a son of John H. and Virginia (Perkins) Sailor, his father origin¬
ally of Virginia, but his mother of Kentucky. The family came to
Missouri from Kentucky in 1845 and settled in Montgomery county,
where the father entered land and improved a farm. He died here in
1844. The mother is still living and finds a pleasant home with her
children. George W. was reared on the farm in this county, and edu¬
cated in the neighborhood schools. When about 17 years of age he
went to California and spent nearly 20 years on the Pacific coast.
For the first three years he was engaged in mining in California, and
then turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, which he
followed until 1872, some 15 years. Selling out in California, he re¬
turned to this county, and the following year was married to Miss
Drucilla, a daughter of Andrew F. and Gillie Oechsli, formerly of
Virginia, and who settled in this county in 1850. Both her parents
are now deceased. The year of his marriage Mr. Sailor removed to
Callaway county, where he engaged actively in farming and handling
stock. He remained there until 1881, returning thence to Mont¬
gomery county, and settling on the farm where he now resides.’ Mr.
and Mrs. Sailor have five children : William T., Martha B., Alberta,
George F. and Ida Lee.

C. C. SAILOR,

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

All new countries are settled in the first instance by the most ener¬
getic and enterprising of older communities — brave, sturdy, adven¬
turous spirits, who push out into new regions, well knowing the hard¬
ships and dangers they are to endure, but not fearing them. Among
the pioneers of this class in North Missouri was the father of the sub¬
ject of the present sketch. James Sailor came of an old Virginia fam-
iiy. but was reared, himself, in Kentucky. He came to Missouri in
the territorial days of the country, settling in Montgomery county,
where he reared his family. He was one of the sturdy, worthy old
pioneers of the country, and died here in 1872. His wife, the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

891

mother of Charles C., who was a Miss Libbie Cobb, died in 1858.
Charles C. was born on the family homestead in this county, January
17, 1838. About the time he reached his majority the Pike’s Peak
excitement was at its height and he, too, went to that Land of Prom¬
ise, but had no difficulty in bringing back the same year all the wealth
he accumulated at the Midas Mountain of the American Hesperides.
After his return he was busily occupied with farming until the out¬
break of the War of 1861, when, following the bent of his convic¬
tions, he promptly enlisted in the Twenty-third Missouri infantry.
He served for the full term of his enlistment, and after the expiration
of his service returned home, taking no further part in the war. Re¬
suming farming, later along he also engaged in stock trading, and has
followed up these industries with satisfactory success until the pres¬
ent time. In 1873 he was married to Miss Mattie Colbert, a daughter
of Washington Colbert, formerly of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs.
S. have five children: Dwinard B., Malcolm E., Armistead F.,
Angie M. and Isaac S. Mr. Sailor has a good farm of 132 acres.
He and wife are members of the church.

JAMES M. SAILOR,

(Farmer and Stock-Raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Of German descent on his father’s side, Mr. Sailor is of the second
generation of the family born in this country. His grandfather,
Emanuel Sailor, came from Germany shortly after the Revolutionary
War and settled in Pennsylvania. Subsequently, having married, he
made his home in Kentucky, where James Sailor, the father of James
M., was born in 1808. James Sailor was married to Miss Libbie
Cobb, of Kentucky, and removed to Missouri, settling in Montgomery
county. He died here several years afterwards. His wife died in
1856. They had a family of 11 children. Most of these grew to
years of maturity and became heads of families themselves. James
M. Sailor was the seventh in his father’s family of children, and was
born in this countv October 16, 1844. Reared on the farm, he was
married here to Miss Alice Henton, a daughter of Rolla Henton, an
early settler of this county from Kentucky. Two children are the
fruit of this union, Anson and Effie. Mr. Sailor has made farming
his life occupation, having followed it continuously from boyhood.
He located on the farm where he now resides when it was raw land,
and has improved it mainly by his own labor. He is a man of in¬
dustry and one of the worthy citizens of the township. His farm
contains 150 acres, and is a comfortable homestead.

ROBERT A. SHARP

(Of Sharp & Rookwood, Dealers in Farm Implements, Etc., Etc.)

Mr. Sharp’s parents were early settlers in Montgomery county,
coming here from Virginia in about 1838. His father, John Sharp,
was for many years one of the well known and highly respected citi-

892

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

zens of the south-east part of the county. He died at High Hill in
1866. He was quite prominent in church work, and was a valued
member of the Baptist Church. For a time he lived in St. Louis, in
order to give his children the benefits to be derived from the excellent
schools of that city. Mr. Sharp’s mother (Robert A.’s) was a Miss
Margaret Jeter before her marriage, also of Virginia. Robert A. was
born at his parents’ homestead in this county, May 15, 1842, and was
reared in that vicinity. He is the youngest of five children by his
father’s last marriage, two sons and three daughters. He received a

O 7 O

good common and high-school education, and also took a course at
Jones’ Commercial College, in St. Louis. Subsequently he learned
the carpenter’s trade and followed contracting and building most of
the time at Montgomery City for about 16 years. For some seven
years during this time he was engaged in the lumber business at this
place. In 1882 Mr. Sharp engaged in the farm machinery business
at Montgomery City, in which he has ever since continued. He built
his own wareroom and business house, and gives the machinery busi¬
ness his whole time and attention. Messrs. Sharp & Rookwood carry
a large stock of agricultural implements and have built up an excel¬
lent trade. January 27, 1869, Mr. Sharp was married to Miss Hen¬
rietta Anderson, a daughter of Dr. G. A. Anderson, deceased, late
of Loutre island. Mrs. S. was principally educated in Pennsylvania,
and at the Danville (Mo.) College. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have five
children : Leah E., Alonzo G., Guy B. and Herbert L. During the
war Mr. Sharp was in the Southern service under Col. Dorsey for a
time. He was in one or two fights of minor importance.

DUNCAN SNETHEN

(Proprietor of Snethen’s Saddlery and Harness House, and Producteur de Volatile ,

Montgomery City.)

Mr. Snethen, an energetic business man of this city, and who has a
gallinarium of fine poultry of the best breeds, fancy and sporting,
has been a resident of Montgomery City for nearly twenty years, and
is well and favorably known throughout the west-central part of the
county, as well as in the southern part, where he was born and reared.
He was one of a family of 13 children, six of whom are living, of
Rev. Dr. Alia B. Snethen and wife, who was Miss Caroline Margaret
Johnson before her marriage. They were early settlers on Dry fork,
in this county, and the father came from Kentucky in 1808 and the
mother from Tennessee in 1827. The father was a practicing physi¬
cian of nearly 25 years’ experience before his death, and he was also
a well known and highly esteemed minister of the Baptist Church.
He died on his farm on Dry fork, February 3, 1867. The mother is
still living, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. I. H. Knox.
Duncan was born on the farm, April 19, 1843, and was reared to a
farm life. At the age of 17, however, he apprenticed himself to E.
Rosenberger at High Hill to learn the saddler’s trade, under whom he
served for three years. He was then employed by Rosenberger for

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

893

about eight months. In 1864 he went to Illinois, and then to St.
Louis, where he staid until the close of the war. In the summer of
1865 he came to Montgomery City and went to work in the shop of
J. W. McDaniel. Two years later he became McDaniel’s partner,
and in 1869 he bought out McDaniel and became sole proprietor. Mr.
Snethen is a fancier of fine poultry, and makes a specialty of breed¬
ing the best grades. In his gallinarium are represented most of the
best breeds, including the Light Branch, the Plymouth Rock, the
White Leghorns, the Partridge Cochins, etc., etc. Mr. Snethen is a
man of family, and was married April 24, 1867. His wife was a
Miss Julie E. Overstreet, a daughter of James Overstreet, of Virginia
(deceased). Mr. and Mrs. S. have three children: Cora Lee,
Maggie May and Elisha. Three are deceased : Alia, Mannie and
Luther. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Baptist Church, and
he is senior deacon of the Masonic lodge at this place.

HENRY SPINSBY

(Proprietor of Spinsby’s Railway Hotel, Montgomery City).

For nearly 20 years the name that heads this sketch has been
familiar to the traveling public along the line of the Wabash Railway
through North Missouri, as that of one of the most popular landlords
in the hotel business in the State. Mr. Spinsby came to Montgomery
City in 1866 and built his present hotel building in which he has car¬
ried on the hotel business almost continuously since that time. From
the first his house became a regular stopping place for the trains, and
it has continued so ever since. It early acquired the reputation of
being the best railway hotel on the road, a reputation it
has never ceased to enjoy and deserve. Its proprietor, Mr. Spinsby,
started out with the determination to make his hotel popular with the
public and justly so. The building was made large and commodious,
and exceptionally well adapted by its plan and arrangement for a
first-class railway hotel. The local markets were not and have
never been relied upon to supply the wants of the table kept at
the hotel, but everything of which a better quality could be bought
at distant, markets has been brought from such points, regardless
of expense. Mr. Spinsby is a typical landlord, a man who knows
how to run a hotel with success, in a business point of view, and
so as to make it popular with the public. He has made the
Spinsby Hotel second in reputation to that of no railway or other
hotel outside of a large city in the State. Mr. Spinsby is an English¬
man by nativity, born in Cumberland county, July 29, 1819. He was
a son of Maj. Henry Spinsby of the British army, who served for 24
years as sergeant-major of the Fifteenth Hussars. Mr. Spinsby’s
mother was a Miss Elizabeth Sewell. He was reared in Cumberland
county, and in 1840 came to America. Here he was engaged in various
occupations until 1866 when he came to Montgomery City. In 1856
he was married in St. Louis to Miss Mary McCaffery, formerly of Ire¬
land. She died March 31, 1884, leaving a family of seven children:

894

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Minnie, the wife of George Hutchinson; Lizzie, now Mrs. Chadwick;
Katie, now Mrs. Yearslev ; Isaac, Henry, Jr., Jack and Lottie.

AUSBJN STEWART

(Farmer and Fruit Grower, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Stewart has been a resident of this county for 45 years, and is
one of the well known and highly respected citizens of the county, as
well as a substantial property holder. He was born in Highland
county, Ya. (then Pendleton county), May 22, 1819, and was a son of
John Stewart and wife, Mary Stewart, who was formerly of Bath
county, that State, a distant relative of her husband, and of the same
family name — -Stewart. Mr. Stewart’s father was a soldier in the
War of 1812, serving from the opening until the close of the struggle,
having re-enlisted after his first term of service expired, and remain¬
ing at home but one night between his two terms of enlistment. After
the war he returned home to Virginia and engaged in milling. He
was married in 1813, and 25 years later removed to Missouri, settling
in Montgomery county, about four miles west of the present site of
Montgomery City, on a farm now owned by Thomas Britt. He had a
family of 11 children, six of whom lived to years of maturity. Oc-
tavia (Mrs. Devine), Tabitha (Mrs. Edis), Ausbin, the subject of
this sketch; Margaret (Mrs. See), Alonzo and Emily (deceased).
Alonzo, while on a trip to California, in 1865, was murdered, in Co¬
lusa county, together with the sheriff and deputy sheriff of that county,
by a party of outlaws, instigated, it is believed, by the notorious
Alvin Cobb. Ausbin Stewart was about 20 years of ag^ when the
family came to Missouri, in 1839. He soon afterwards engaged in
farming here for himself, and on the 14th of October, 1847, was mar¬
ried to Miss Elizabeth Glenn, a daughter of Judge Thomas Glenn, of
this county. Two years. later Mr. Stewart, during the gold excite¬
ment, went to California, and was engaged in mining out there with
reasonable success until 1851. Returning to Montgomery county, he
resumed farming, and removed to his present place in 1877. This is
a neat farm of 45 acres adjoining the town of Montgomery City, de¬
voted principally to fruit raising, which he has found a profitable in¬
dustry. He has over 2,000 trees on his place, and his farm is hand¬
somely improved. Mr. Stewart has also a good farm of 757 acres
about 10 miles north-east of Montgomery City, a portion of which
(318 acres) he gave to his son Cortez : the balance he rents. He and
his wife have three children, Malissa, the wife of Thomas Britt ; Cor¬
tez, who married Miss Lettie Bruner, and resides on a farm in the
county; and Julia I., the wife of Rev. J. O. Edmondson, a minister
of the M. E. Church South.

MANLIUS R. SUGGETT

(Retail Dealer in Wines, Liquors, Beer, Cigars, Tobacco, Etc., Montgomery City).

Mr. Suggett’s grandfather, John Suggett, from Kentucky, was one
of the pioneer settlers of Callaway county. He entered nearly all of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

895

Cat’s prairie, near the present site of Reform post-office, and improved
a large farm. There he lived the remainder of his days, one of the
respected farmers of the county, and reared a worthy family of
children. Amoilg these was his son Minter, who afterwards became
the father of the subject of this sketch. He married Miss Louisa
Petty, and of this union Manlius R. Suggett was born October 11,
1845, She is still living, residing on the farm near Reform, but her
husband has been dead for a number of years. Manlius R. was reared
on the farm and earlv became a farmer and stock dealer. He followed
this with success until 1877, when he engaged in the retail liquor busi¬
ness at Danville. Five years afterwards he came to Montgomery
Citv, where he' has ever since continued the same business. Mr. Sug-
gett is in substantial circumstances. He has two valuable business
properties in Montgomery City, and besides these he has a comfortable
residence property. April 2, 1882, he was married to Miss Louisa
Bush, a daughter of Ambrose Bush, deceased, late of Danville. Mr.
and Mrs. Suggett have two children : Jessie and an infant. During
the war, in 1863, Mr. Suggett attempted to join the Southern army,
but was saved from soldiery, for a time at least, by the Federals, who
took him prisoner on his way and confined him in Gratiot prison in
St. Louis for about four months. He was then released after taking
an oath. But in 1864, when Price marched through Missouri, he
joined the Southern forces, and was with them until he was again cap¬
tured. This time he was sent to Rock Island prison, where he was
kept until the Confederate star of hope set to rise no more. While in
the army he was under Marmaduke. He is Democratic in politics.

COL. L. A. THOMPSON

(Editor of The Bay, Montgomery City) .

Larkin Asbury Thompson was born in Warren county, Mo., De¬
cember 7, 1838. His parents, James Thompson and Mary Brother-
ton, were married in Blount county, Tenn., February 26, 1831, and
came to Missouri in 1837. They were Methodists of the old school.
Their ancestors were Irish, with a small vien of Welsh blood in the
paternal line, and were active in the Revolutionary War for independ¬
ence, and also in the second war with England.

In the spring of 1842, when Larkin was in his fourth year, his
parents moved to Montgomery county, and settled at Belleville, where
they resided until March 6, 1851, when they removed to Warren
county, and settled on the Boone’s Lick road, two miles west of
Warrenton. There the boy grew to manhood.

His early educational advantages, were such merely as the common
schools of the countrv could furnish. But through these he had the
benefit of debating societies, in which he gained some reputation among
his associates. The discussion on the tariff question, the division in
the Methodist Church on the slavery question, the Jackson resolutions
and Benton’s appeal to the people, the Missouri compromise of 1850,
and the Nebraska bill, were so interesting that he made such inquiries
and investigations as his circumstances would permit. And, as a re-

896

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

suit, he concluded that the public or common opinion on these ques¬
tions was wrong, and he resolved to vote the Whig ticket when he
became old enough. In the meantime preachers in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, who were driven from their circuits, came to his
father’s house to find a home and a place to preach. Their grievances
at the hands of the pro-slavery party were narrated in his hearing.
The troubles in Kansas becoming a topic of common talk, Free State
men, returning from the territory, gave exciting reports of the work
done there in the interests of slavery. These made impressions on
his mind to be matured into settled conviction, by time and experience.
In 1858 the first “ High School ” in Warrenton, was opened by Prof.
Joseph W. Carson. This was pleasing to young Thompson, and he
readily became a pupil during that and the ensuing year, giving at¬
tention to the higher branches of mathematics and the Latin lan¬
guage.

With an irregular education thus obtained, he commenced reading
law, January 9, 1860, and teaching school to earn a living. In the
August elections of that year he voted for Sample Orr for Governor,
and for James S. Rollins for Congress, in a measure gratifying the
desire of his boyhood. And in the November election of the same
year he voted for Bell and Everett for President and Vice-President.
But his teaching enterprise was of short duration on account of State
legislation on the school fund. He continued the study of law in
the office of Col. Fred. Morsey, at Warrenton. February 18, 1861,
he voted for W. W. Edwards and Ab. T. Franklin, straight Union
men, for delegates to the State Convention to consider the relations
of Missouri to the United States. And, espousing the cause of the
government, he joined the Union League and did scouting service for
United States troops during the hill of 1861 and the ensuing winter,
and on one occasion met some Federal cavalry who, suspecting him
to be a rebel, were prevented from shooting him only by the arrival of
a neighbor, whose testimony, spoken in his native tongue — German —
made satisfactory proof of the scout’s loyalty.

In March, 1862, Mr. Thompson was admitted to the bar by Ju dg
T. J. C. Fagg, of the circuit court. Subsequently he enrolled in the
Supreme Court, and was admitted to practice in the United States
court for the western district of Missouri. April 1, of that year, he
settled in Danville, Montgomery county, and commenced practicing
law. But August 8, all hope of an early termination of the war hav¬
ing decayed, he enlisted as a private in Co. I, Thirty-first Mis¬
souri infantry volunteers, of whom Thomas C. Fletcher, afterwards
Governor of Missouri, was colonel. When the company was mustered,
the young lawyer Avas appointed second sergeant, and was soon
thereafter made first, or orderly sergeant. In a short time he was
appointed brigade quartermaster sergeant, but declined the honor.
In the November election, that year, he supported Arnold Krekel for
Congress.

In the memorable bayonet charge of Blair’s brigade at Chickasaw
Bluffs, Miss., December 29, 1862, Sergeant Thompson was wounded

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

897

by a shell, but partially recovering, he was permitted to remain with
his friends for care and treatment, rather than be sent elsewhere with
strangers, and was therefore with his regiment in the campaign
against Arkansas Post. But after the army returned to Young’s
Point, La., the Mississippi became so high as to threaten the overflow
of the whole encampment; he, having become unable to travel, was
taken to a boat for safety. On the 14th of June, 1863, he was dis¬
charged from the service, by order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, on ac¬
count of disability caused by wounds received in battle. The degree
of disability was declared to be one-half, and he was adjudged unfit
for military service in the future. Placing him in charge of a friend,
the authorities sent him “ home to die.” Reaching home, at his
father’s, June 22, he was confined to his bed some weeks where his
mother’s care, and Dr. J. M. Foreman’s skill, put him on his feet.
Returning to Danville, August 1st, he re-opened his law office.

August 25, 1863, he was taken to Middletown in a buggy in care
of Walter L. Lovelace, and assisted in organizing the Radical party,
and electing delegates to the State Convention at Jefferson City, but
was too feeble to go there in person. In the ensuing November, he
supported Krekel, Wagner and Clover forjudges of the Supreme Court.
In October, he was appointed postmaster at Danville, and a year
later, October 14, 1864, the town was raided and burned by Bill
Anderson and his bushwhackers. The post-office and records with
Mr. Thompson’s papers and clothing, except what he had on, were
consumed, and he narrowly escaped capture.

March 14, 1865, he was commissioned captain of Missouri militia,
under the law of that year, and enrolled all male inhabitants, white
and colored, in the county who were over 15 years of age. He was
then commissioned colonel of the Montgomery county regiment,
which he organized by direction of the district commander.

In the early summer of 1865 he set out to quietly organize a regi¬
ment to go to Mexico and join the Juarez forces in resisting the French
army, but the Mexican agent not being able to give satisfactory guar¬
antees, the scheme was abandoned. June 6 he voted for the new or
4‘ Drake ” constitution.

April 1, 1866, he resigned the postmastership, continuing the prac¬
tice of law. The ensuing November he was elected representative of
the county in the Twenty-fourth Legislature of Missouri, having been
nominated by the Republicans in convention at Montgomery City.
When the House was organized in January, 1867, he was appointed a
member of the Committee on the Judiciary, and also on the Commit¬
tee on Lunatic Asylum. Later a committee of nine, one from
each congressional district, was made, and he was appointed the
member for the Ninth district. He aided in the election of Charles
D. Drake to the United States Senate, and voted for the ratifica¬
tion of the Fourteenth Amendment to the constitution of the United
States. Later, January 26, he introduced a concurrent resolution
asking the Missouri Senators and Representatives in Congress to favor
submitting to the States an amendment to the Federal constitution to

898

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

prohibit any State from withholding the elective franchise from its
citizens on account of race or color. This was before Senator Hen¬
derson introduced the resolution that ended in the Fifteenth Amend¬
ment to the Federal constitution, March 7, 1867. With a majority of
the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Mr. Thompson re¬
ported favorably on the proposed amendment to the State constitu¬
tion extending the right of suffrage to the colored men of the State.
These advanced views on the suffrage question drew upon him much
keen opposition, which followed him home and threatened to defeat
his renomination in 1868. But his party renominated him in conven¬
tion at Montgomery City, and a lively test was made against his suf¬
frage position. He was re-elected, although the suffrage amendment
was defeated, and mainly, too, bv those whose votes elected him. In
the Twenty-fifth Legislature, organized January, 1869, he was again
placed on the Committee of the Judiciary, and at the second place on
the list ; and he was made chairman of the Committee on Federal Re¬
lations. The contest for United States Senator was warm. The
object was to succeed Mr. Henderson, whose vote against the im¬
peachment of President Johnson was so displeasing to Republicans
generally that they considered his re-election far below a possibility,
and were not, therefore, prepared to hear, much less tolerate, any
movement looking to his re-election. The favorite candidates were
Carl Schurz and Ben F. Loan, and their advocates attended their re¬
spective caucuses nightly. Mr. Thompson refusing to attend either
caucus was subjected to such interviews as brought forth the sensa¬
tional report that he was decidedly in favor of the re-election of Mr.
Henderson. Intimate friends of Mr. Thompson and supporters of
both the favorite candidates waited on him, and labored to admonish
him of the error he was about to commit, assuming that it would cost
him his position in the party; but their efforts were of no avail. In
the meantime a discussion in the capital by candidates and their
friends, in which Mr. Henderson was permitted to be heard, briefly,
made it less unpopular for a member to be his friend. But at his own
request Mr. Henderson’s name was withheld from the joint caucus
when the nomination for Senator was made, Mr. Thompson voting in
the caucus for D. P. Dyer. The caucus nominated Mr. Schurz, and
Mr. Thompson voted for him in the joint session. But Col. Thomp¬
son had other controversies with his Republican associates.

In 1868 the election returns from several counties were Rodmun-
ized, that is to say discarded, by the Secretary of State, Francis
Rodman, whose duty it was to canvass them. This action deprived
those counties of any voice in the election of Governor, Lieutenant-
Governor, two members of Congress and two judges of the Circuit
Court. It also deprived them of representation in the regular session
of the Legislature and of any voice in the election of United States
Senator. When the subject came before the House it caused a long
and searching debate, participated in by the ablest lawyers, Col.
Thompson taking the lead and maintaining that the duties of the Sec¬
retary of State, in canvassing returns, was ministerial and not judicial.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

899

A majority of the House dissenting from his construction of the law,
declined to admit the members presenting certificates of election from
their respective counties. But before the session adjourned his posi¬
tion was sustained by the Supreme Court.

The fifteenth amendment to the Federal Constitution, having been
submitted to the States for ratification, came before the House, and
Col. Thompson, in its support, made an elaborate speech, casting his
vote to thus settle the suffrage question by a law uniform in all the
States and in the identical mode proposed by his resolution of Janu¬
ary 26, 1867. As chairman of the Committee on Federal Relations
he submitted a report favoring the repeal of the tenure of office act,
and vindicated the report in an exhaustive argument on the constitu¬
tional question involved in the act.

Of the measures of general import which Col. Thompson gave
earnest support during his four years’ service in the General Assem¬
bly, the following may be mentioned : The enlargement of the public
school fund and the building of school houses for the benefit of chil¬
dren of the common people ; the permanent location of the Agri¬
cultural College in connection with the State University at Columbia;
needed improvements in the State asylums, and especially at Fulton,
while Callaway county was unrepresented ; to reserve to the State the
right to regulate the rates of freight and passenger tariff on railroads
on which the State’s liens were sold at a loss to the State, and to
require the purchasers of such roads to semi-annually pay a small per
cent of their gross earnings to the State ; the elevation of the State
judiciary by paying salaries such as to attract the better lawyers of
the State ; to place insurance companies under such legal restrictions
as to protect the people against impostors ; to attract to this State a
thrifty class of immigrants ; the relief of counties whose public
buildings, records and business were destroyed during the Civil War;
the repeal of the registration law and the test oath as a requisite to
the qualification of voters. The law that he had passed establishing
the Probate Court in this county is so concise in diction and plain in
detail that many bills for similar courts were drawn by it. He had a
bill passed in the House to establish a Court of Common Pleas at
Montgomery City, but it failed to pass the Senate, and gave consid¬
erable dissatisfaction about Danville, which culminated in an organized
effort to prevent his renomination. He returned home in the spring
of 1870 much fatigued, and before the canvass had commenced his
health was such that he could neither speak nor write. Many propo¬
sitions were made to him by Republicans and Democrats, who were
willing to guarantee his re-election if he would consent to the use of
his name ; but all were respectfully declined. He was not renomi¬
nated, nor was he able to take any part in the campaign. The Repub¬
lican candidates in the county were all defeated, and in 1871, at a
special election for representative to fill the vacancy of George W.
Hammet, deceased, the Republican nominee, Hugo Monnig, an
excellent gentleman, was defeated.

With the Republican party discouraged by the second defeat, and

900

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

his health yet feeble, Col. Thompson commenced the publication of
The Ray at Danville. The first issue of The Ray appeared Decem¬
ber 7, 1871, and boldly espoused the Republican cause, and has ever
stood by its colors, he giving it his attention at the expense and final
abandonment of his profession, and taking part in the discussions of
the time.

March 22, 1874, Col. Thompson was married to Mrs. Naomi W.
Terrill, widow of the late Robert P. Terrill, and a worthy companion,
who, adapting herself to his interests, was soon able to set type neatly,
and has many times, when occasion suggested, gone to the case and
made an interesting hand. Thus the pair have often put in type and
printed The Ray. October 2, 1875, they moved with The Ray office
and fixtures to Montgomery City, where they now reside.

September 19, 1876, Col. Thompson was appointed route agent be¬
tween St. Louis and Kansas City over the Wabash, St. Louis and
Pacific, and April 1, 1877, soon after the Hayes’ Cabinet was formed,
he was retired from the service.

In 1880 he was nominated by the Republicans, in State convention
at Sedalia, for presidential elector for the Thirteenth Congressional
district. Later in the campaign the State Republican convention at
St. Louis nominated him for State Auditor, after which he resigned
his place on the electoral ticket. In 1884 he was again nominated by
the Republican State convention at Sedalia for presidential elector,
which he again resigned, so that the anti-Bourbon electoral ticket
could be made satisfactorily. These three nominations were made
without his solicitation ; the first against his consent, and the second
wholly without his knowledge. He was not present at either con¬
vention.

For Col. Thompson the road to celebrity was not smooth all the
way. Nor has his long and active career in the public service been a
source of financial gain. And although he has been in positions which
a man of other opinions of right and wrong might have utilized to his
own enrichment, such was not the case with Col. Thompson. He has
always been regarded an honest and incorruptible man. No charge
or insinuation was ever made against him.

As an editorial writer he is concise, incisive and bold ; as a re¬
porter of passing events he is thorough and reliable, and his reports
are accepted authority. In debate he is plain, fair, searching and
fearless.

EDEN L. UPDIKE

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Updike is a native of Virginia, born in Loudoun county, on the
26th of February, 1826, and was the fifth in a family of nine children
of Samuel and Eura Updike, both also natives of that State. In 1847
the family removed to Ohio and settled in Morgan county, and Eden
L. located in that countv with them. The father died in 1864, and
the mother five years afterwards. Eden L. remained with the family

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

901

until 1848, when, being 22 years of age, he started out for himself.
He had been reared on a farm, and having no means to begin farming
for himself, he went out to farm labor, working for monthly wages.
In 1850 he was married to Miss Jane Williams, a daughter of ’Squire
Thomas and Mary Williams, of Morgan county, that State. About
the time of his marriage, Mr. Updike rented land and engaged in
farming for himself and continued to farm in Ohio until 1884, when
he came to Missouri and settled in Montgomery county, purchasing
the farm where he now resides. Mr. Updike has a place of 160 acres,
all under fence and improved. For seven years prior to his coming
to Missouri he had charge of the poor farm of Morgan county, Ohio,
and managed its affairs with excellent success and to the satisfaction
of the court and the public generally. Mr. Updike’s first wife died
in 1858, leaving him three children : Charles, Mary J. and Nancy
B. She was an exemplary member of the Christian Church. Several
years afterwards Mr. Updike was married to his present wife, who was
Rebecca Porter, of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. U. have four children : Mag¬
gie P., Howard M., Bessie B. and Laura M. Nancy, who married
Townsend Parsons, died in February, 1883, leaving two children :
Estella and Nellie. Charles married Miss Anna Dunaway and Mary
J. married Frederick T. Kent — all the above farmers of Ohio. Mr.
and Mrs. U. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Updike had
three brothers in the Union service during the war.

CHARLES VANDAVEER

(Farmer, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Like many of the early settlers of Montgomery county, Mr. Van-
daveer is a native of Kentucky. He was born May 15, 1818, and was
a son of Thomas and Jane (Fair) Vandaveer. When he was yet quite
young his parents removed to Indiana, and thence to Illinois, where
his father died in 1847. His mother died in 1875. In 1846 Charles
Vandaveer, who had grown up in the meantime, and, indeed, was 28
years of age, came to Missouri and located in Montgomery county,
where he entered land. The same year he was married in this county
to Miss Savana E. Rice, a daughter of William G. Rice, one of the
first settlers of the county. Mr. Vandaveer at once went to work im¬
proving a farm and made himself a comfortable home. He and his
son have a fine farm of 420 acres, all under fence and well improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Vandaveer have but two children, and one only is living,
Thomas, the other having died in infancy. In 1875 his son was mar¬
ried to Miss Mary J. Kelley, a daughter of Edward Kelley, of this
county, formerly of Germany. Thomas Vandaveer and wife have four
children : Stella S., Edward C., Carrie and Linnie.

J. B. VARNUM

(Dealer iQ General Merchandise, Montgomery City') .

Until recently Mr. Varnum has been engaged in business with Mr.
J. T. Cushman, that partnership having been formed in the spring of

902

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

' ' r.

1884. A short time ago Mr. V. bought Mr. Cushman’s interest. He
has had a most encouraging trade, and carries a stock of about
$3,000, and numbers among his regular customers some of the best fam¬
ilies of Montgomery City and in the surrounding tributary country.
His goods are selected with special care and with an eye single to the
demand of trade at this place, for he keeps in stock only such goods
as the people require, which he buys mainly for cash and with good
judgment as to the condition of the market at the time he makes their
purchases, so that he is enabled to sell at prices which secure him
against all harm from competition. His business has every promise of
a continued successful future, and with commendable enterprise he is
steadily increasing his stock both in quantity and variety with the in¬
crease of his trade. Mr. Varnum comes of one of the oldest settled
families of North-east Massachusetts. His grandparents were Jacob
Bradley Varnum and Miss Catherine ( nee ) Donnymead. They had
12 children, among whom was Dr. Geo. W. Varnum, father of the
subject of this sketch, and who has until his recent removal to Cali¬
fornia, been a resident of this county. He was born at Washington,
D. C., but principally reared at Petersburg, Va. During the war and
after service in a marine hospital he located at Sulphur Springs, Jef¬
ferson county, Mo., in August, 1864 (after having resided in Wisconsin
sometime previous), and in 1869 came to this place, where he was en¬
gaged in practicing medicine until 1874, then retiring. Recently he
has removed to California to reside permanently. He was married
December 15, 1868, to Miss AnnaL. Busby, and she is the Doctor’s
second wife. His first wife was Miss Martha A. Evans, whom he mar¬
ried in 1855. James B., a son by his father’s first marriage, was born
at Warren, Wis., August 15, 1860. His father removing to Mont¬
gomery City, however, when James B. was quite young, Mr. Varnum
was therefore reared at this place. He received a good general edu¬
cation in the Montgomery City College, and early in 1880 began to
learn the photograph business, which he soon mastered and which he
followed with measurable success for four years. He then engaged in
his present business.

FRED VERNETTE, M. D.

(Of Vernette & Darnell, Physicians and Surgeons, Montgomery City).

Dr. Vernette is a native of the “Ever Faithful Isle,” Cuba, born
at Havana, April 23, 1842. His father was Jacques Vernette, born
and reared in the vicinity of Paris, France, and by education a phy¬
sician, a graduate of one of the eminent medical institutions of the
French metropolis. But preferring a life on the sea, he was offered
a commission as captain of a French merchant vessel, and he continued
a life on the ocean wave until his death. In the course of a long sea
life he visited nearly everv country on the globe and became a man of
wide and varied information, as well as a linguist of diversified attain-
ments. When a young man while at anchor in the vicinity of New York,
he met Miss Emeline Richards, of that city, between whom an attach-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

903

ment sprang up, resulting in their marriage. They afterwards made
their home at Havana, where Dr. Yernette was born. Subsequently
they returned to New York, in which city Capt. Yernette’ s family
permanently located, he continuing on the sea and visiting them from
his different voyages. Both parents are now deceased. Dr. Yernette
was educated at New York City and read medicine there under Dr.

Cummings. In 1863 he entered the United States Medical College,

at New York City, in which he took a regular course,

graduating- in 1865. In 1866 he came to Missouri and

located in Miller county, where he practiced for 10 years.

He then came to Montgomery City. The firm of Yernette
& Darnell was formed in the fall of 1882. They do a general

practice, but Dr. Yernette makes a specialty of chronic diseases, in
which he has had eminent success. He visits different points in
this department of the practice, and now has nearly a thousand
cases under treatment. In 1870 Dr. Yernette was married to Miss
Paradine Keeth, of Miller county, a daughter of John Keeth, a re¬
spected citizen of this county. They have two children, Emma a nd
Ella. Dr. Y., besides being a graduate of the United States Medical

College of New York City, graduated in the spring of 1874 at the

Curtiss College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Cincinnati. The Doctor
is a member of the I. O. O. F., and his wife is a member of the
Christian Church.

JOHN YOGT,

(Dealer in Lumber, Shingles, Lath, Lime, Doors, Sash, Blinds, Etc., Montgomery

City) .

Mr. Yogt was born and principally reared in Switzerland, but came
over to America in 1858, and, after spending something over two
years in New York and St. Louis, but principally at the latter, he
came to Montgomery City. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army
under Col. Foster, of Gen. Quinby’s division. He served for three
years and seven months, or until the close of the war, doing his duty
faithfully and bravely as a soldier of his adopted country. Among
other engagements, he was in those of Iuka, Miss., Corinth, Miss.,
Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Miss., Champion’s Hill, Yicksburg,
Chattanooga and Resaca, Ga. He was wounded in both legs at Jack-
son, Miss., and at Resaca he was taken prisoner and afterwards con¬
fined at Andersonville for seven months. After his honorable discharge
from the service, he returned to Montgomery City. Here he formed
a partnership with W. Overstreet in the contracting and building bus¬
iness, a partnership which lasted for two years. That firm was then
dissolved and the firm of Yogt & Standthart was formed and went in
the lumber business. They carried on the lime business for about
seven years, after which Mr. Yogt bought out Mr. Standthart’s inter¬
est, since which he has continued the business alone. He has also
added a stock of lumber and other building materials in the lines
mentioned above. In the year 1867 Mr. Yogt was married to
Miss Beulah Rodgers, a daughter of Dreleg Rodgers, of Montgomery

904

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

City. They have five children : Emma, Maggie, Albert, Mattie and John.
Mrs. V. is a member of the Baptist Church and Mr. Vogt is a mem¬
ber of the Masonic order at this place. Mr. Yogt was born in Switz¬
erland, November 12, 1838. He was the eldest of a family of five
children, four of whom are living, of Joseph and Agnes (Estlein)
Vogt, who were of old families in Switzerland. In 1855 the family
came to America and settled in Montgomery county. Here the
hither followed farming until a few years ago when he retired from
all active labor. Mr. Yogt is a man of superior education and busi¬
ness qualifications, and is justly well esteemed in this community.

ALBERT YOGT

(Jeweler, and Dealer in Watches, Clocks, Musical Instruments, Etc., Montgomery City) .

Mr. Yogt, who has the leading house in his line in Montgomery
county, was the pioneer jeweler of the county, or, rather, the first one
to establish a regular jewelry shop and business house in this line
in the county. He came to Montgomery City 21 years ago, a
young man with scarcely a dollar and with only his industry and in¬
telligence to rely upon for a successful career. Energy, patience and
perseverance, united with fair dealing, good management and an up¬
right life, has given him success beyond his most sanguine expectations.
His business is large and thoroughly established, and he is one of the
solid business men and well-to-do property-holders of the place. He
is a younger brother to John Yogt, whose sketch precedes this, and
was born in Switzerland, January 21, 1843. He was 20 years of age
before coming to America, and was educated and learned his trade in
Switzerland. Up to the age of 13 he attended school, and then be¬
came an apprentice at Waldenberg, Switzerland, to the jeweler’s
trade, where he worked for four years. He then went to Prussia
and worked there three years, coming thence to America in
1863. The same year he located at Montgomery City. On the 1st
of May, 1870, Mr. Yogt was married to Miss Margaret Willi, a
daughter of John J. Willi, of Hermann, but formerly of Switzer¬
land. Mr. and Mrs. Yogt have had eight children, seven of whom
are living : Julia, George, Rudolph, Lotta, Blanche, Corrinna and Leo.
Otto, the second to the youngest, died in 1882, in his second year.
Mrs. Y. is a member of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Vosftis a mem-

7 O

ber of the Masonic Chapter at Montgomery City.

THOMAS F. WALSH

(Of Hart & Walsh, Dealers in Hardware and Farm Machinery, Montgomery City) .

Thomas F. Walsh was born in Warren county, just across the line
from Montgomery, December 12, 1851. His parents, Henry Walsh
and wife, nee Phoebe Riley, came from New York to St. Louis county
in 1839 and thence to Warren county two years later, where the
father lived until his death in 1878, aged seventy years. He was for

manv years a worthy member of the M. E. Church and in business

•/ * %/

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

905

affairs and in farming accumulated a comfortable property; his wife,
Thomas F.’s mother, is still living. They reared three children, two
daughters and a son, one daughter now the wife of James Downing
of Warren county, and the other now the wife or widow of a Mr.
Halley, of St. Louis county. Thomas F. was reared on the farm in
Warren county, and at the age of 19, December 25, 1870, was
married to Miss Nettie Ball a daughter of Capt. John Ball. After
his marriage Mr. Walsh established a blacksmith shop at Truxton,
in Lincoln county, which he ran with hired help until he himself
learned the trade. Subsequently he removed back to the farm where
he built a shop and carried on blacksmithing for about three years in
connection with the farm or until 1880. He then established a shoo

at New Florence and two years later removed to Montgomery City
where he worked at his trades until 1883. A year ago Mr. Walsh
bought an interest in the hardware and agricultural implement house
with which he is now connected. Mr. and Mrs. Walsh have five chil¬
dren : Tillie F., Daisy D., Alexander H., William J. and Wright W.
Mrs. W. is a niece of Col. D. P. Dyer, of St. Louis. Mr. Walsh is a
member of the I. O. O. F.

JUDGE WILLIAM WHITE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Judge White, one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Mont¬
gomery county, is a native of Maryland, but was reared in this
county, and has made his home within its borders from childhood, for
nearly half a century. His parents were William White Sr., and
Anna (Fletchell) White, both of whom are now deceased. The
mother died in 1866 and the father in 1857. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812, born in Maryland April 5, 1795, and located a land
warrant in this county which he had received under general act of
Congress on account of his services in the army. Judge White had
only the limited opportunities for an education afforded by the occa¬
sional neighborhood schools where he was reared. But improving
his advantages with diligence, he succeeded in acquiring a sufficient
knowledge of books for all the practical purposes of ordinary affairs.
Reared a farmer, that naturally became his permanent occupation,
and he has followed it continuously not without good success. In
1859 Judge White was married to Miss Julia A. Hampton, a daugh¬
ter of Samuel H. Hampton, deceased, formerly of Virginia. Four

children are the fruits of their married life : Marv J., William S.,

_ ' '

Richard and Dorcas A., the last of whom, however, died in infancy.
In 1880 Judge White was nominated and elected to the office of countv
judge, a position he filled with efficiency and impartiality and to
the general satisfaction of the public for a period of two years.
Judge White’s landed estate aggregates nearly 1,000 acres. His farm
is one of the well improved homesteads of the country. He makes
something of a specialty in stock-raising, and feeds stock for the
wholesale markets.

CHAPTER XVII.

UPPER LOUTRE TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description — Early History — Wellsville — In War Times — After the

War — Incorporation — Public Schools — Newspapers — Churches — Secret Orders

— Biographical.

Upper Loutre township comprises the north-western portion of the
county, and is the smallest municipal township in area. Loutre creek
has practically its source in the western portion, where is considerable
timber. In the eastern part the country is mostly prairie. There is
some coal in this township, and a few good banks have been opened
near Wellsville.

Upper Loutre formerly comprised a considerable extent of terri¬
tory. Montgomery City was in this township until in January, 1872,
when Montgomery was formed. The township now comprises 62 sec¬
tions.

EARLY HISTORY.

Perphaps James and Isaac Olfrey, who came in 1825 to the south¬
ern portion of this township, or the northern portion of what is now
Montgomery, and settled on Little Loutre, were the first settlers in
this township. The Olfreys lived near the Cobb settlement, or “ Cobb-
town.”

David W. Bunch, a Kentuckian, moved over from Callaway and
settled on Little Loutre in 1827. The Olfreys were here when he
came, so his son John, now in Wellsville, states. In 1828 there came
James Hays and his sons John and James, Jr., and his nephew, “ Big
Sam Hays,” with their families, and all settled along Little Loutre.

The first settlers here bought their first goods at the store at Loutre
Lick or at St. Charles. When Dan Robinson opened his store at
Loutre Lick, in 1830, it was considered that they had a store right at
their doors.

Rev. Jabez Ham was the first preacher listened to, and New Provi¬
dence, down the Loutre seven or eight miles, was the first church to
which the people resorted. The first school that Mr. Bunch remem¬
bers was taught in 1830, by a teacher named Hayden, in a house three
miles south of Wellsville, near where two families lived named Petty
(906)

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

907

and Mahoney. Dr. Newland was the first practicing physician in the
settlement.

WELLSVILLE.

The town of Wellsville was laid out by Hon. Carty Wells in the
spring or summer of 1856. Judge Wells was the original owner of
the site, and, having deeded to the railroad company five acres of
land for depot and other purposes, the town was located thereon. The
town was named for the founder.

The first buildings were put up in the summer or early fall of 1856.
Jesse C. Clarkson built the first dwelling, which stood on lot 8, block
2, and a part of this is yet standing. Prior to this, however, John
Bunch lived in a house a little north of the original town site. Clark¬
son had previously lived east of town and in the neighborhood for some
years, and came to Missouri in 1831. The next building was a
blacksmith’s shop, built by John D. Maupin on lot 1, block 4, on
corner of Hudson and Second streets, where afterwards the public
school buildings stood. The next was a business house built by Capt.
Benj. Sharp, and completed in December, 1856. It is still standing
on lot 1, block 5. Sharp put in a stock of general merchandise, and
had the first store in the place. Probably the next merchants were
the Kempinsky Bros. — Benjamin and Abraham.

The first public sale of lots was not until April, 1857. The same
year the first hotel was built on lot 7, block 5, by Thomas Via. In
a year or so Via sold to Dan Cox. This building was burned some
years since. Also in this year several houses went up and many fami¬
lies came in and Wellsville assumed the proportions of a thriving vil¬
lage. In the spring or summer of 1857 the first post-office was
established, the first postmaster being Mr. Ben Sharp, who kept the
office in his store.

The cars came in the spring of 1861, and soon after the first depot
was built, on the sight of the present one. The first station agent

was one Bunberry, after him - Woodruff, and the next was Ben

Sharp, who was in charge when the station was burnt by Myers and
Cobb, in the winter of 1861. There was no telegraph office here
until 1861, when it was put up by the military authorities, and a
young man named York was the first operator.

The first child born in Wellsville as nearly as can now be ascer¬
tained was a daughter of Jesse C. and Mary A. Clarkson, some time
in 1857. It lived only about a year and was unnamed.

The first death was that of Mrs. John D. Maupin, in 1857 ; she is
buried in ther public cemetery.

908

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The first doctors who practiced in the town of Wellsville were Drs.
Thos. Percy and A. F. Barnett, who lived in the country. The first
resident physician was Dr. S. T. Buck, who came in October, 1868.
The first resident lawyer was Dick Wells, son of Carty Wells, who
came soon after the town was established.

IN WAR TIMES.

When the civil war broke out Wellsville had a population of about
300, two or three stores, a hotel, saloon, blacksmith shops, etc. A
majority of the citizens were of unconditional Union proclivities.
Early in 1861 some secessionists raised a 44 Lone Star flag.”

Later in the summer of 1861, when Gov. Jackson made his call for
50,000 of the Missouri State Guard, bodies of secession troops crossed
the railroad here from Lincoln and Pike, on their way to Price’s army.
On one occasion, about September 10, a considerable body of troops,
some hundreds in number, from Pike, Lincoln and St. Charles, under
command of Lieut. -Col. Hull, of Pike, crossed here on their way to
Lexington. Some time before the Unionists of the place had raised
a large U. S. flag, and this Hull’s men tore down and bore away in
triumph.

On the night of December 20-21, when a general raid was made on
the North Missouri Kailroad by the secessionists, a body of about 80
men, under Capt. William Myers and Alvin Cobb, visited Wellsville,
and, as elsewhere noted, burned the depot and robbed a store.

Not many outrages were committed. The Kempinsky’s store was
visited and robbed. Some household goods were taken from Bran-
stetter’s hotel. The railroad track was torn up on both sides of
Wellsville, and then the party, Myers at the head, went on to Mont¬
gomery City. Myers and Cobb were both seen and talked with by
citizens of the place.

Before this, in the last of October, the preliminary negotiations
between Gen. John B. Henderson, of the Union militia, and Col. Jeff
Jones, the agent of the secession forces of Callaway county, looking
to the surrender of the latter, were held in the depot at Wellsville.
Here Gen. Henderson received the two bearers of the flag of truce
sent by Col. Jones. Henderson’s, Fagg’s and Krekel’s militia were
stationed here during that winter at intervals.

From this time forward until the close of the war the town was
more or less a military post for the Federals. It was headquarters
for the militia of Col. Canfield’s Sixty-seventh E. M. M., and
was the base of operations for raids against Confederate bands in

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

909

Callaway county and elsewhere. A block-house was built south of
the railroad and a little east of the depot, for the protection chiefly
of the latter named building. Surrounding the block-house proper
was a strong palisade. The whole was constructed under the super¬
vision of Col. J. G. Lane, and the work was chiefly performed by
Confederate prisoners and Southern sympathizers from Callaway
county, pressed into service for the occasion.

Among the Federal troops here in the early part of the war was a
detachment of the Third Iowa infantry, under Maj. Stone, who was
afterward Governor of Iowa for four years.

AFTER THE WAR.

In a year or two after the close of the war the town took a start
and has improved slowly ever since. In about 1868 houses began to
be built up on the back streets, away from the railroad, and the town
“ spread out ” generally.

In the summer of 1867, Wellsville tried hard to secure the Louisiana
and Missouri River Railroad (now substantially the Chicago and Alton)
and had the co-operation of Middletown, but failed, as Mexico bore
off* the prize. At one railroad meeting here, a resolution was adopted
by acclamation and with enthusiasm, that the route of this railroad
by way of Wellsville, was the shortest, cheapest, best and most prac¬
ticable route, that it passed through the best and richest country
through which to build a railroad, and that it opened up to market
the best coal mines in the world, in Callaway county, between Fulton
and Jefferson City.

INCORPORATION .

Wellsville was incorporated as a town by the county court, March
22, 1870, “ on petition of Wm. Bacon and others, constituting two-
thirds of the taxable inhabitants.” The first board of trustees was
composed of A. E. Shipherd, Wm. R. Wakeley, Danl. Lehnen, John
H. Reed, Thos. H. Musick. The first meeting of the board was held
March 24, when J. H. Reed was chosen president pro tern ., and S.
M. Barker, secretary.

The first election for town officers came off* April 19, 1870, when
the following were chosen : Trustees, A. E„ Shipherd, Jacob Miller,
Tb os. H. Musick, D. L. Heath and James McIntyre (elected chair¬
man) ; clerk, John M. Barker; assessor, S. M. Barker; marshal and
collector, F. R. Barefoot ; treasurer, J. H. Reed.

910

HISTORY OF MONTOM ERY COUNTY.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The first public school building in Wellsville was built in 1866. It
stood on lot 1, block 4, of the original town. It was a frame, two-
stories high, and contained three rooms. Thomas H. Musick was the
first principal and the first scholar enrolled was Robert Shackleford,
the present (1884) city attorney. The building was afterwards re¬
moved, as the business portion of town encroached upon it, and taken
to the site of the present building, on part of the south-west quarter,
south-east quarter, section 27, township 50, range 6. The old build¬
ing was burned in the fall of 1881.

The present school-house was begun in May, 1882. In July, 1883,
before it was entirely completed, although it was in use, a heavy wind
blew it down. Soon after the town voted $3,000 to repair it, and the
repairs were completed the same season. The total cost of the build¬
ing was $9,400. The first principal in the new building was C. G.
Cunningham.

The school-house is the best in the country. It is a fine brick
structure, containing eight rooms, and will seat 600 scholars. At
present there are five teachers.

District No. 4, township 50, range 6, which includes Wellsville,
had an enumeration of 395 scholars in 1884, divided as follows :
Whites, males, 163; females, 174. Colored, males, 24; females, 34.
There is a good colored school taught by a male teacher in a rented
house. The value of the school district property is $10,000. The
amount paid teachers in 1883 was $1,640. The district owes $8,000
in 8 per cent bonds, due in a few years. The interest is promptly
met and the bonds will be paid at maturity.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper in Wellsville was called the Wellsville Bazoo ,
established in June, 1876, by Frank Dubois, of Illinois, and R. E.
McQuie (or McQuay). The latter died in Warrenton a few years
ago. The Bazoo was independent in politics, but had a precarious
existence and changed hands frequently. The office burned in the
latter part of November, 1878, at the time of the burning of the old
city hotel.

The Wellsville Advertiser was established January 18, 1879, by A.
F. Davis. At first it was a four-column quarto, then a six-column,
and subsequently a seven-column folio. It was independent in poli¬
tics, and Davis was the editor and proprietor. The paper ran just

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

911

four years, the last number being issued January 6, 1883. In February
following S. T. Haines, Esq., of Callaway, rented the office and started
the Wellsville Democrat. In August he left, and in September a
stock company was organized and established the Wellsville Democrat ,
and hired A. F. Davis to conduct it. In three months Davis retired
as editor, and J. M. Clure took charge as editor and proprietor, rent¬
ing the office from Davis, who still runs the job department. Mr.
Clure is probably the youngest editor in the State, being only about
18 years of age. He is a ready writer, however, piquant and spicy
in his style, and his paper is always well filled with local news items,
piquant paragraphs and entertaining matter generally.

The Wellsville Wide-Awake is another paper published in Wells¬
ville, but no report has been received from it. [See Biographical
Sketch.]

CHURCHES.

Wellsville First M. E . Church. — This congregation have but re-
cently (1884) completed a new house of worship — a model frame struc¬
ture — 32x50 feet, with an ell 15V2x25 feet in dimensions, at a cost of
about $2,500. It was organized in 1865 or 1866, with Mrs. Ann Shackel¬
ford, Mr. Holliday, Mrs. Margaret Whitehead, Mrs. David White-
head, and quite a number of male persons (whose names have not
been learned) as original members. The present membership is 60.
The pastors who have filled the pulpit here are Revs. DeMott, Robert
Witten, Langley, Hyde, Bowers, Clayton, L. Shumate, Anderson and
E. B. Lytle.

First Congregational Church of Wellsville ■ — Was organized in
September, 1867, with Evan Griffith and wife, Abner Lloyd and wife,
William Bacon and wife, Mrs. Linda B. House, David E. Tyler and
wife, Mrs. Ann Jones, Ann Davis, Richard Griffith and wife, Mrs.
Sarah H. Bacon and Miss Anna M. Bacon as original members. Jo-
seph Bounce was the prime mover in the organization and also the
first pastor, being succeeded by W. H. Hicks, Rev. Bixby and the
present incumbent, R. J. Matthews. There are now 31 persons con¬
nected with the church. In 1871 a frame building, in which services
are held, was constructed, and this, with the lot upon which it stands,
has a valuation of $1,971.

Wellsville M. E. Church South. — A reorganization of this body
into its present form was made in March, 1873, and the same year a
church building was constructed, costing $1,800. It is a frame struct¬
ure. The original members were W. C. Ellis, wife, daughter and
son, W. W. Charlton and wife, Jesse McDaniel, Dr. Peery and wife,

912

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

A^nes Reed, Mr. Hollidav and daughter and Mr. Zumalt and wife.
The membership, now numbering about 60, has been presided over
by Revs. Shores, Henry Kay, Loving, followed again by Henry
Kay, who was succeeded bv Revs. G. M. Edwards, John R. Taylor
and the present pastor, C. E. McClintock. William Tines is superin¬
tendent of the Sunday-school of 60 scholars.

Wellsville Christian Church . — The original members of this church
at the organization in 1875 were O. A. Wilson and family, David
Petty and family, John S. Petty, Thomson Bunch and wife, Joseph
Glenn and wife, Fielding White and wife, Dr. Smith and wife and E.
E. Davidson and wife. The first minister in charge was W. H. Hook,
followed by Dr. Smith, T. J. Marlow, William Slee and D. M. Gran-
field. About $1,500 were expended in the erection of a church build¬
ing — frame — in the summer of 1879. The church has a membership
of 110, while the Sunday-school numbers about 60 pupils, its super¬
intendent being Fielding White.

O O

SECRET ORDERS.

United. Workmen. — Wellsville Lodge No. 209, A. O. U. W., was
organized in 1878. The charter members and first officers were
James Mosby, master workman ; J. C. Rawson, past-master workman ;
L. L. Kirk, recorder; S. T. Buck, medical examiner; D. W. Os¬
born, overseer; D. G. McConnell, financier; Ed. Sigler, M. Wash¬
ington, H. Dillard and B. R. Lennington. The present membership
is 21. The present officers are T. P. Crouch, master workman ; W.
T. Sallee, past-master workman; A. Jacobius, recorder; James
Mosby, receiver.

Triple Alliance. — In March, 1883, a lodge of this order was insti¬
tuted with the following members : L. E. Musick, J. B. McQuie, L.
L. Kirk, Mrs. Maggie Musick, Mrs. Maggie McQuie, Mrs. Lidia
Mateer, Mrs. M. H. Banks, Wm. Mateer, J. T. Stemmons, Miss Cora
Banks and J. J. Douglass. The lodge is in good working order, and
numbers 24 members.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

SIMEON L. BARKER

(Wellsville) .

Among the old and prominent families of the county is that of
which the subject of the present sketch is a representative. Mr.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

913

Barker, Sr., settled in this county nearly 30 years ago. He was orig¬
inally from Kentucky, and came to Missouri when a. young man,
locating in St. Charles county. He was engaged in merchandising
there until the time of his removal to Montgomery county, where he
bought land and afterwards followed farming until his death. He
died the 1st of January in 1878. He was a man well known in Mont¬
gomery county and highly respected. He took an active interest in
public affairs, and was a leader of thought and opinion among those,
around him. He was a man of good education and large general in¬
formation, as well as exceptionally well read in history. He was a
Whig before the war and a Democrat after the war, and always zeal-
ous for the success of his party, ever doing all in his power for the
success of his party representatives on the ticket. He was frequently
solicited by prominent friends over the county to run for the Legis¬
lature and other positions, but uniformly refused, having no desire
himself for official station. He was twice married and left two families
of children — four sons by his first wife, and two daughters and a son
by his second. He was almost an enthusiast for education and gave
his children good advantages, but left them no considerable amount
of property. His first wife was a daughter of James Mackay, of St.
Louis, and was a lady of marked intelligence. S. M. Barker, cashier
of the Wellsville Bank, at Wellsville, Mo., is the eldest of four
brothers by his father’s first marriage. The others are John M.,
now serving his third term as prosecuting attorney, and recently in¬
structed for bv the Democratic Countv Convention for Congress ;
Zeno, farmer near Wellsville, and James L., a practicing attorney at
W7ellsville.

JOHN BLACK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

It is only stating what every one of general information and fair ob¬
servation knows, to say that the Scotch people, as a class, are second
to none on the globe for sterling, vigorous intelligence and thorough¬
going, energetic thrift in material affairs. Wherever a Scotchman is
found we see one who is noted among his neighbors and in his com¬
munity, for his thrift and intelligence, and sterling individuality as a
man. Our Scotch fellow-citizens are almost invariably among our
most successful men. Among many others of this class the subject of
the present sketch may be cited as an illustration. Mr. Black, a native
of the land of the Gael Dun, landed on the shores of America years ago,
a young man without means. Since then the years have come and
gone, and through them all he has labored on and on, industriously
and patiently, until he has become one of the substantial citizens of
the community of which he is a member. He has a fine property of
about 1,200 acres of land, all handsomely improved and divided into
several excellent farms. He is one of the leading stock-raisers of the
county, and is one of its most highly respected citizens. Mr. Black
was born near Armouth, Lanarkshire, Scotland, March 4, 1810. On

914

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

both sides of his family — the Blacks and the Elders — he is of ancient
Scotch ancestors, each family having come into that country as mem¬
bers of the Gallic tribes from England after the conquest of the latter
country by the Kimric race. His father’s name was William Black,
and his mother’s maiden name Jeanet Eider. Mr. Black received a
good common school education in Scotland, and in 1831 he came to
America on a prospecting tour. After spending a short time in
Canada he returned the same year. The next year, however, he came
back to the New World to remain permanently, and settled in Canada,
about 30 miles east of Toronto, where he engaged in farming. He
remained there for over 20 years and was quite successful, but in 1853
he sold out in Canada and removed to Missouri, settling in Montgom-
ery county, near Wellsville, where he has ever since resided. His
career here as a farmer and stock-raiser has been noted above. March
4, 1847, Mr. Black was married to Miss Mary, a daughter of Daniel
Whitcomb, formerly of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. B. have reared six
children : Alina E., who is now the widow of O. H. Wise ; William,
who resides on one of the farms of his father; John, also on one of
his father’s farms ; James, unmarried and at home ; Isaac, also single
and at home, and Mary J., a young lady, also at home.

JOHN C. BLAIN, D. D. S.

(Dental Surgeon and Druggist, Wellsville).

Dr. Blain is a native of Pike county, born at Bowling Green,
August 21, 1855. Of his father and family we find the following in
the “ History of Audrain County,” published in connection with a
biographical sketch of his brother, Charles E. Blain, of Vandalia : “ His
father, William W. Blain, was a native of Virginia, and was a brick-
mason by trade. He was married in Virginia to Miss Annie M. Turner,
of a family prominent in the Old Dominion and afterwards in Missouri.
Soon after his marriage, William W. Blain removed to Missouri and lo¬
cated at Bowling Green, the county seat of Pike county, where he lived
for many years, and until his death. He became the leading contractor
and builder in the line of brick-work at Bowling Green, and one of the
most prominent in North-east Missouri. He was a man of fine busi¬
ness ability, and his energy and enterprise hardly knew any bounds.
For over 30 years he ran the leading hotel at Bowling Green, —
one of the best houses in that part of the country. He also ran a
large livery stable for many years. He died in 1871, universally re¬
gretted ; his widow still survives him, and is left with a comfortable
estate. There were nine children of the family, all of whom, how¬
ever, lived to reach maturity. Some of them are among the
prominent residents of the communities in which they live. Mag¬
gie is the wife of Gov. R. A. Campbell, of St. Louis, the present
Lieutenant-Governor of the State ; Dr. J. C. Blain, of Wellsville,
and a leading dentist of that place, and Charles E.” Dr. Blain was
reared in Bowling Green, where his boyhood days were principally
spent at school. He took a pretty thorough course in the common

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

915

and high schools and then matriculated at the State University, where
he began a regular university course. After several terms there,
however, his health failed and he was compelled to leave off his
studies. Returning home, by a rest he recuperated after awhile
and then decided to begin the study of dentistry without further
delay. He put himself under the instruction of Dr. Lindenberger,
a prominent dentist of that city, under whom he took a thorough
course in the science and practice of dentistry. Subsequently he
entered the Dental College of St. Louis, from which be was hon¬
orably graduated. He practiced his profession at Bowling Green for
some two years and at Middleton for several years. In 1879 Dr.
Blain located at Wellsville. Here he has built up an excellent prac¬
tice and is the leading dentist throughout all this part of the country.
About two years ago he also became interested in the drug business,
and he is conducting a popular drug store at this place. In April,
1877, Dr. Blain was married to Miss Annie, a daughter of John
McFarlan, of Pike county. Dr. Blain is a member of the I. O.
O. F.

JAMES L. BLANCHARD

(Farmer and Fine Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Farming has been Mr. Blanchard’s principal occupation from boy¬
hood. He has been a resident of Montgomery county for the last fif¬
teen years, and is justly regarded as one of the representative farmers
and citizens of Upper Loutre township. Mr. Blanchard is a native of
New York, born in Alleghany county, October 8, 1829. His father,
Frank Blanchard, from Connecticut, was brought out to New York
when he was quite small, where he was reared and was afterwards
married to Miss Cynthia Lyon. He followed farming in Alleghany
county for some years and then removed to the vicinity of Rochester,
in Monroe county, that State. He died there soon afterwards. James
L. Blanchard was reared in Monroe county and at the age of 21 came
West to the vicinity of Freeport, Ill., where he remained about two
years, engaged in farming. He then joined Capt. Condon’s company
bound for California and crossed the plains for the Pacific coast. He
was in California for some six years mining, principally, but also for a
time merchandising. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Blanchard returned
via Panama and New York, and stopped for a time at Rochester,
where he was married in March, 1859, to Miss Loretto, a daughter of
J. L. Brower. Near Freeport, Ill., he bought a farm and resided
nearly ten years. In the fall of 1868 he sold out in Illinois and came
to Missouri, buying a part of the land where he now resides and re¬
moving his family here the following spring. He first bought 360
acres, and since then, by industry and good management, he has been
able to nearly double the size of his place. He now has 615 acres, all
fenced, with about 500 acres in cultivation, and is giving considerable
attention to raising a good grade of stock. In the spring of 1881 Mr.
Blanchard had the great misfortune to lose his wife. She left him
eight children, most of whom are grown, namely : Mary, Cynthia, the

916

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

wife of Clarence Boyer ; Flora, Emma, William, Cora, Charles and
Effie. Five others died in childhood. Mrs. B. was an earnest mem¬
ber of the Baptist Church. She was a woman of great attachment
to her family, and a devoted wife and loving mother, and her loss was
most keenly felt.

JOHN W. BOYER

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

It has been nearly four generations ago since the Boyer family came
over to this country from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. Young
Boyer was in infancy when the family crossed the blue waters of the
Atlantic bound for the New World. He grew up and married in Penn¬
sylvania, and among his children was William M. Boyer, who became
the father of John W.,the subject of this sketch. William M. Boyer
married Polly Kanogle, of Maryland, and made his home in that
State. There John W. was born, December 5, 1831, in Washington
county. In 1846 his parents removed to Ogle county, Ill., where they
lived some five years and then settled permanently near Freeport, in
Stephenson county, where they still reside, the father at the advanced
age of 84. August 31, 1857, John W. Boyer was married in Stephen¬
son county, Ill., to Miss Lucy J. Rundlett, a daughter of William
Rundlett, of that county, formerly of New Hampshire. After his
marriage, Mr. Boyer settled on a farm in Stephenson county, and
remained there successfully engaged in farming until 1872, when he
came to Missouri and bought the place where he now resides. He
has 240 acres of good land, one of the choice and well improved
farms of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have six children:
Clarence, Carro, Ed., Lilian, Charles and Lulu.

SILAS T. BUCK, M. D.

(Physician ancl Surgeon, Wellsville).

Dr. Buck has had a long and successful experience in his profession,
and commands an extensive and valuable practice in the north-western
part of this county, and over into the neighboring vicinities of Audrain
and Callaway counties. Added to this, he had a valuable army expe¬
rience in surgery during the war. He was born at Marietta, Wash¬
ington county, O., March 26, 1838, and came of one of the pioneer
families of that place. His father, Frederick Buck, was also born
there, and is said to have been one of the first white children born in
what is now Washington county. Dr. Buck’s mother was Miss Mary
Gates before her marriage, also born and reared in Marietta. His
father died there in the summer of 1865, and for years had been one
of the largest boot and shoe dealers and manufacturers of that place.
He was also for a number of years successfully engaged in shipping
produce to the South. Altogether he accumulated a comfortable
property, but in the later years of his life was unfortunate and died in
moderate circumstances. Dr. Buck received a hi^h-school education

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

917

at Marietta, and at the age of 18 began the study of medicine under
Dr. J. D. Cotton, a man pre-eminent in his profession in that part of
Ohio. He continued the study under Dr. Cotton until 1856, when he
went to California. There he located in Tehama, where he renewed
the study of medicine under Dr. J. M. Betts, under whom he contin¬
ued for nearly two years. He then went to Fulsom, in Sacramento
county, and prosecuted his studies under Dr. A. C. Donaldson. In a
short time he entered the medical department of the Pacific Univer¬
sity of San Francisco, where he took a regular course of two terms,
graduating with distinction in 1861. He then practiced for a time
with Dr. Donaldson, and afterwards removed to Virginia City, Nev.,
where he formed a partnership with Dr. Pinkerton. In a short time,
however, he returned home to Ohio, and in the winter of 1862-63 he
was appointed assistant surgeon of the Twelfth Ohio, with which he
served until that regiment’s time expired in July, 1864, after which
he accepted a position as contract surgeon, and had charge of the sur¬
gical ward of the Island Hospital at Harper’s Ferry, where he continued
until after the war, or until August, 1865. Returning home then to
Marietta, he remained there engaged in the practice until 1868, when,
having come to Missouri on a visit, he shortly after located in Wells-
ville, where he has ever since been actively engaged in the practice.
May 15, 1868, Dr. Buck was married in the vicinity of Marietta, O.,
to Miss Clara E., a daughter of William and Elizabeth Gibson, for¬
merly of Massachusetts. The Doctor and Mrs. B. have two children:
Jennie G. and lone W. He has been the medical examiner at this
point for the government pension office for nearly 14 years.

JOHN P. CLARK,

(Proprietor of the Union Livery Stables, Wellsville).

Mr. Clark is a native of Indiana, born in Ohio county, October 14,
1829. His father was John Clark, originally from Virginia; and his
mother was a Miss Elizabeth Oxley before her marriage, and from
Kentucky. John P. Clark was reared in Ohio county, and continued
to reside there until 1861. Meanwhile, his father had died, in 1856,
and John P. continued at home to care for the family. In 1861, they
removed to Missouri, and for the following six years resided on a farm
near New Florence. They then removed to Audrain county where
John P. continued to reside engaged in farming until 1881, when he
came to Wellsville, and entered in his present business. He is still
unmarried, but he and his mother keep house, and she cares for the
home affairs. Mr. Clark has been quite successful in the livery bus¬
iness, and has an excellent stable. He owns the livery building he
occupies, and has it well stocked. His custom is large both locally
and from the traveling public. He is doing a good business and has
every reason to be satisfied with the present outlook as well as with
his past experience.

918

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

JOB C. CONGER,

(Of Conger & Reed, Proprietor of the Garden City Mills, and Grain and Flour

Dealers, Wellsville;.

Mr. Conger, who has built up one of the most popular flour mills

in this part of the county and throughout the surrounding country,

was a son of William Conger of Centralia, but formerly a successful

miller of New York. The subject of this sketch was born at Phoenix,

in Oswego county, N. Y., September 3, 1846, and was reared at

that place up to the age of 12 years. The family then removed to

Missouri and located on a farm in Audrian countv where thev resided

•» %/

for some eleven years. In 1869, the father retired from farming and
from all active work, and, renting his farm to a tenant, removed to
Centralia, where he still resides. He has been quite successful in
life and has retired on a comfortable competency. His wife, who was
a Miss Annie B. Scott, a native of Canada, is still living, and both
are in the enjoyment of good health. They reared eight children, all
of whom are liviug — four sons and four daughters. Job C. Conger
was reared on the farm from the age of twelve years in Audrain coun¬
ty. He attended the common schools and also went to South Haven,
Michigan, where he attended college for a time. But while there he
joined the army and was in the army, a member of Co M., Third Mich,
cavalry, for two years following February 3, 1864, the time of his enlist¬
ment. He was several times wounded, but never seriouslv. After
the war Mr. C. returned to Missouri, and in 1868 engaged in the mill¬
ing business in Audrain county. Two years later he removed to
Centralia and continued the milling business there for about five
years. Mr. Conger came to Wellsville in 1875, since which time he
has been connected with the mill at this place. He has had several
changes of partnership, but Mr. Reed has been his partner since
1882. The Garden City Mills have a capacity for 100 barrels a day.
Their flour has an enviable reputation in the markets and soon comes
into general demand wherever it is introduced. Messrs. Conger &
Reed own an elevator at Wellsville and deal quite extensively in grain.
The former has also opened a flour store at this place in con¬
nection, in which line he has a good trade. December 24,' 1874, Mr.
Conger was married to Miss Emma F., a daughter of John Himes,
formerly of Virginia, and Mrs. C. was reared and educated at Bruns¬
wick, Missouri. They have four children : George, Nannie, Job and
Lelah. Frank, a lad seven years of age, was accidentally drowned
near Wellsville the 20th of last May. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members
of the Christian Church and he is one of the prominent Masons of the
county. Mr. Conger’s youngest brother, D. D. Conger, was killed
by the premature discharge of a cannon used in celebrating the
Fourth of July, 1884, at Centralia Mo.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

919

ORA COTTLE

(Retired Farmer, and Mayor of Wellsville).

There are very few families in Missouri older in continuous residence
within the territory included in the borders of this State than the
one — the Cottle family — of which the subject of the present sketch
is a representative. Indeed, this is one of the pioneer families of the
country, contemporary with the Boones and their fellow-pioneers,
and preceding the Callaways and Coopers. Mr. Cottle’s parents, Dr.
Warren Cottle and wife, Saloma, whose maiden name was also Cottle,
settled in St. Charles county, in what was then the Territory of Up¬
per Louisiana, in 1801. They were from Woodstock, Yt., and Dr.
Cottle followed the practice of his profession in St. Charles county
until his death, which occurred in 1824. He was also successfully
engaged in farming there and became a large landholder. He held
different official positions in the county from time to time. Six of
his family of eight children grew to mature years, five sons and a
daughter. Two of the brothers and their sister are still living :
Lorenzo, the founder of Cottleville in St. Charles county, and a re¬
tired merchant and farmer of that county ; Paulina, now the widow
of Henry F. Bates, and a resident of California; and Ora, the sub¬
ject of this sketch. ’Squire Ora Cottle was born in St. Charles
county June 13, 1818. He was reared in that county, and in August,
1845, was married to Miss Elizabeth Keithley, a daughter of Samuel
Keithley, another early settler of that county. After his marriage
’Squire Cottle engaged in farming and stock raising in St. Charles
county, and so continued until his removal to Wellsville in 1880.
He rented out his farm there, a good place of 350 acres in order to
retire from active farm life. He also has another good tract of land
in that countv. In 1883 he was elected mayor of Wellsville and still
holds this office. He is a man of high character, good business qual¬
ifications and an intelligent, pleasant and agreeable old gentleman.
He makes an excellent mayor and is justly popular with the people.
The ’Squire and Mrs. Cottle have reared seven children : Samuel, a
merchant at O’Fallon ; Marv S., now Mrs. T. B. Carthrae, of Shannon
county; Orlana T., the wife of John G. Miller, of Montgomery City;
Hermie C., now Mrs. William R. Gilliland, of this county ; King C.,
of Kansas City ; Addie B., the wife of C. W. White, of this vicinity ;
and Lizzie G., a young lady yet in her “teens.” Mr. Cottle is a
member of the Masonic order.

CALEB J. COX

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

It was in 1854 that Mr. Cox removed from Warren county, Ky.,
where he was born and reared and was married, and located in Frank¬
lin county, Mo. But the following year he came to Montgomery
county and bought the land, or a part of it, where he now resides*

920

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and improved a farm. He now has 280 acres, all in a good state of
improvement and cultivation, except a 40-acre tract of timber. Mr.
Cox has a good two-story brick dwelling house on his place and other
good improvements. He was a son of George Cox, of Warren county,
Ky., and Eliza Stump, both reared and married in that county. He
was born February 8, 1830, and after he grew up was married
March 10, 1853, to Miss Katie, a daughter of John Stagner. Mr.
and Mrs. Cox have four children : Finis, who is married and farming
in partnership with his father; Margaret A., a young lady still at
home; John, now in Colorado; and Sterling, who is also married and
farming with his father. Mrs. Cox is a member ot the Baptist Church,
and Mr. C. is a member of the Chapter and Blue Lodge in the Masonic
order. Mr. Cox is a thoroughgoing farmer, and one of the worthy
and well respected citizens of Upper Loutre township.

JUDGE MILTON COX

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Cox’s family, of English descent, were early colonists in the
Old Dominion, and afterwards early settlers in both Kentucky and
Mi ssouri. His grandfather, John Cox, settled in Scott county of the
Blue Grass State, from Virginia, in about 1803. His father, James
Cox, was then a lad some 12 years of age, and there grew up and was
married to Miss Sarah Moore, also from Virginia and of English
ancestry. After his marriage James Cox removed to Missouri with
his family, and located in Pike county in about 1819. The following
year he crossed over into Ralls county, where he entered land and
improved a farm. He died there, one of the pioneer citizens of the
county, widely known and highly respected, in 1879. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812, and at Winchester’s defeat was taken
prisoner, but was shortly exchanged. For many years he was an
earnest and active member of the Baptist Church, and was deacon of
his congregation. He and his good wife had a family of 12 children,
six sons and as many daughters, all of whom lived to mature years.
Milton, the fourth son, and the subject of this sketch, was born in
Ralls county March 9, 1830. He was reared to a farm life. He had
some school advantages, but mainly educated himself at home. He
subsequently became a teacher himself, and taught for several years
with increasing success and reputation, becoming, in fact, one of the
most popular teachers of Ralls and other counties. November 25,
1856, he was married to Mrs. Mickey C. Fike, relict of Robert Fike
and daughter of John Helm, formerly of Kentucky. About the
time of his marriage, Mr. Cox, having previously bought land in
Montgomery county, settled in this county and began the improvement
of a farm, which he has actively continued. The place on which he
now resides he removed to in 1869. Here he has nearly 500 acres of
fine land. In about 1863 he was appointed a justice of the peace
by the county court, and served for several years. He was then
elected public administrator, and filled that office with satisfaction to

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

921

the public for four years. In 1874 he was elected county judge, and
occupied the bench for one term. He and his excellent wife have
reared six children: Janies A., Larue, William H., John M., Walter
C. and Samuel S. They have lost two: Sarah E., who died at the
age of 17, 1878, and Mary F., who died in infancy. Judge Cox and
wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a mem¬
ber of the Masonic order at Wellsville.

GEORGE W\ CROUCH

(Dealer in Drags, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Stationery, Etc., Wellsville).

George W. Crouch, who has one of the leading drug stores of
Wellsville, has been engaged in business here in his present line for
the last 12 years, and has had a gratifyingly successful business ex¬
perience. He owns his own business house, a first-class three-story
brick building, 60x22 feet in dimensions, and occupies the first floor
as a store room, where he has an unusually fine display of everything
in the drug line. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, a
thorough druggist, justly popular with all who know him, and is fairly
entitled to the success he has achieved. January 3, 1883, Mr.
Crouch was married to Miss Fannie B., a daughter of Jesse E.
King, a highly respected citizen of Callaway county. Mrs. Crouch
is a lady of rare grace and superior accomplishments, and is a grad¬
uate of Camden Point Female College. Mr. Crouch was born in
Osage county, February 9, 1845, and was a son of W. H. and Eliza¬
beth (Williams) Crouch, his father formerly of Virginia, but his
mother originally from Virginia. She died, however, when George
W. was yet in infancy, and he was taken by an aunt in Montgomery
county to rear. He grew up in this county on his uncle’s farm and
received a good common-school education, supplemented with a course
at the Montgomery City High School. He then followed farming for
about five years, and in 1872 came to Wellsville and became a partner
with W. H. Graham in the drug business. About 18 months after¬
wards he bought out Graham and has ever since been in the business
alone, with the result mentioned above. Mr. C. is a member of the
Masonic order.

A. J. DAY

(General Merchant, Druggist and Dealer in Hay, Wellsville).

Mr. Day has been identified with the business interests of Wells¬
ville for nearly 20 years almost continuously. A man of good busi¬
ness qualifications, and energetic and enterprising, his close attention
to business and good management have not been without substantial
results. Mr. Day has valuable business interests at Wellsville, in
Farber,of Andrian county, and at Auxvasse, in Callaway county. He
has long been recognized as one of the thorough-going, progressive
business men of this place, and has done much for the growth and
prosperity of Wellsville. The Day family, of which Mr. Day is a
representative, was one of the Colonial families of Massachusetts.

922

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

His father, Alanson Day, was a native of that State, but when still
youn£ removed to Pennsylvania, where he was afterwards married to
Miss Patience Bolton, formerly of Maine. Of this union, A. J. Day,
the subject of the present sketch, was born, at Herrick, in Susque¬
hanna county, of the Keystone State, July 20, 1836. He was reared
in his native county to the age of 16, when, in 1852, the family re¬
moved to St. Croix county, Wis., where he grew to manhood. He
was brought up to a farm life and received a good common school
education. When a young man, 23 years of age, in 1859, Mr. Day
came to Missouri and located at La Plata, in Macon county, where he
eno-aged in merchandising. He continued in business at La Plata
until after the war was well under headway. Meanwhile, however, he
himself had enlisted in the Union service, but did not enter into active
service until 1862. He was a member of Co. I, Seventh Missouri
cavalry, under Col. Huston, and he served until honorably discharged
in the fall of 1864. He was in that severest of the minor battles of
the war, Lone Jack, where the Union forces were commanded by Maj.
Foster, who, himself, with two of his brothers and a large percentage
of his men, were riddled with bullets while gallantly upholding the
standard of the Union in the face of an enemy of superior numbers
and under the disadvantage, also, of a surprise. It was there that
Cockerin’ s men met Foster’s men. Prisoners were taken on both
sides, and among the rest the subject of this sketch was captured.
He was soon afterwards exchanged, however, and accordingly resumed
his place in the ranks of his comrades. After his discharge Mr. Day
engaged in the dry goods business at Cameron, in partnership with
his brother, C. H. W. E. B. Day, who is now deceased. The follow-
ing year they came to Wellsville, in the spring of 1865, where they
resumed business in the dry goods line, which was continued until
after the brother’s, C. H. W. E. B.’s, death, in the fall of 1866. The
following winter Mr. Day sold out, and the next fall he and John
Reed engaged in general merchandising at Wellsville, which they
carried on for about three years. He then continued the business
alone for about a year, and in 1871 he and Mr. Gilliland established a
store at Farber, under the name of Day & Gilliland, which they still
conduct. In 1878 Mr. Day also established a drug store at Wells¬
ville, which he carried on for about five years. Some two years ago
he established a drug store at Auxvasse, in Callaway county, which is
doing a prosperous business. Neither at Farber nor at Auxvasse, how¬
ever, does he take any part in the management of the business. The
firm of Day & Gilliland also does a large hay-pressing and shipping
business at Wellsville and at Farber. Mr. Day has been successfully
engaged in this line of business for the last 10 years. On the 20th
of September, 1866, Mr. Day was married to Miss Missouri, a
daughter of Samuel Gilliland, a prominent farmer of the vicinity of
'Wellsville. They have one child, a daughter, and now a young lady,
Miss Mamie. Mr. Day is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge and
Chapter at Wellsville. His father, now retired from active business
pursuits, makes his home with the subject of this sketch at Wellsville.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

923

He was engaged in the hotel business at this place some eight or
ten years before his retirement.

JOHN J. DOUGLASS

(Carpenter, Contractor and Builder and Architect, Wellsville).

Mr. Douglass was brought up to the business in which he is now
engaged, and of which he has become a thorough master and achieved
marked, unqualified success. He has been a resident of Montgomery
county since 1868, coming here when a young man 20 years of age,
and he has resided at Wellsville for the last nine years. For some
years past he has held the position of the leading builder and archi¬
tect of the north-western part of the county, and has built more than
half the houses now standing in Wellsville, and of the six church
buildings in the place, four have been put up by him. He also built
the public school building, and other as creditable works. Mr. Doug¬
lass is a Kentuckian to this State, born near Downiugsville August 19,
1848. He was reared there, and up to the age of 14 spent his time
principally at school. Even before that he had begun to work at the
carpenter’s trade under his father, and since that time he has worked
at it continuously for a period now of 36 years. He came to Mont¬
gomery county in 1868, and resided in Montgomery City until 1875,
but seeing that Wellsville was destined to be tfAetown between Mexico
and St. Charles, he came to this place to profit by the growth of the
town and grow up in business with the improvement of the place.
December 4, 1868, Mr. Douglass was married to Miss Mary J., a
daughter of Willford Hayden, recently of this county, but now of
Callaway and originally of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. D. have six
children: Robert O., Stella L., Edgar, Lucy J., James W. and
Dollie. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

JAMES ENSLEN

(Banker and Capitalist, Wellsville).

Mr. Enslenis by nativity from the old Keystone State, though he
was reared in Audrain county, Mo. He is a son of Conrad Enslen,
one of the old, substantial and highly respected farmers of that
county. Mr. Enslen’ s mother was a Miss Mary Sox before her mar¬
riage, also of Pennsylvania. James Enslen was born in Wayne
county, of that State, June 21, 1833, but whilst he was yet in his
early boyhood his parents removed to Missouri, and in 1837 settled
in Audrain county. Three years afterwards his father bought land
there and improved a farm, where Mr. Enslen, Sr., still resides. He
is now an old gentleman past 82 years of age, but is still well pre¬
served mentally and physically, and is exceedingly bright in conversa¬
tion, and quick and active, considering his years. He has been very
successful in life, and is one of the well-to-do, responsible property-
holders of the county. He lost his wife in 1870. James Enslen, the
subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm in Audrain county, and
had only limited educational opportunities. About the time of attaining

924

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

his majority he went to California in company with his brothers, William,
James and Simon, and two other young men, his cousins. They took
a drove of about 100 head of cattle, and also a number of horses and
mules, and were on the road over 150 days. They located in Stan¬
islaus county, and soon afterwards James Enslen engaged in mining.
In about five months he went to Tuolumne county, where he was en¬
gaged in the dairy business and in mining in partnership with his
brother, Simon Enslen, for nearly three years. In the spring of 1857
Mr. Enslen, in partnership with his brothers, entered largely into the
stock business, buying nearly a thousand head of cattle and opening
a ranch on Tuolumne river. Thev also carried on the butchering busi-
ness extensively in connection with their stock interests, supplying
large quantities of meat at good profits to the mines. After a suc¬
cessful experience of nine years in the cattle business Mr. Enslen
then turned his attention to sheep-raising, and began the latter busi¬
ness in 1866 with a flock of nearty 20,000 head. This was continued
with uninterrupted success for over 15 years, or until 1882, when Mr.
Enslen’s brother and partner, Simon Enslen, having died a couple of
years before, he sold out in California and returned to make his permanent
home in Missouri. He is largelv interested in real estate, and he and
the estate of his deceased brother own about 23,000 acres of fine land,
nearly all farming land of the best quality. He is also interested in
banking, and is a leading stockholder in the bank at Modesto, the
county seat of Stanislaus county, Cal., a bank with a capital of
$250,000. The earnings of the bank last year showed a net dividend
of 25 per cent on the capital. Mr. Enslen is also engaged in loan¬
ing money in large amounts from his own private means. While in
California he made three visits home to Missouri, one in 1868,
another in 1870 and a third in 1881. While at home on the first visit
he was married to Miss Belle Payne, a daughter of Joseph Payne, of
Audrain county. She was an invalid, however, most of the time after
her marriage, and he came back in 1870 on account of the precarious
condition of her health. She died at her father’s house soon after
their return. In 1881 he was married in that countv to Miss Sudie
M. Cornett, a daughter -of William Cornett, an early settler of Au¬
drain county, from Kentucky. Mrs. E. was educated at Hardin Co -
lege and at St. Charles. Mr. Enslen located at Wellsville in 1883.
Since then he has built a handsome dwelling at this place, probably
the finest in the county, a commodious two-story house, built in the
latest style of residence architecture. Mrs. Enslen is a member of
the Baptist Church.

JOHN FIELDS

(Farmer, Section 12, Township 50, Range 6, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Fields is a man who is entitled to more than ordinary credit
for the position he occupies, both as a farmer and citizen, for the rea¬
son that he has come up solely by his own exertions, good manage¬
ment and personal worth; and as every one knows who knows him

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

925

at all, he is one of the valued citizens and thorough-going farmers of
this township. He was born and reared in Montgomery county, and
has made this county his home from boyhood. He is a son of Joel
D. Fields, who early came here from Kentucky, and soon afterwards
married Miss Matilda Johnson, also formerly of Kentucky. There
were by this union two sons and two daughters, the latter of whom
are deceased. Albert and John are the sons, and Albert is also a resi¬
dent of the county. The mother died there when John was yet in
boyhood, but their father is still living. John Fields was born Sep¬
tember 21, 1846, and was brought up to a farm life, receiving an
ordinary common- school education in youth. At the age of 19, Sep¬
tember 13, 1865, he was married to Miss Sarah Noble, a daughter of
John Noble, Sr., an early settler and wealthy farmer and stock dealer
of this county, from Virginia, but wTho died when Mrs. F. was in in¬
fancy. Mrs. Fields’ mother’s name was Laviria, and she was of one
of the old and wealthy families of Virginia, and is closely related to
numerous distinguished families of that State and Maryland. Mr.
Fields, when he was married, at once rented land and he and his wife
went resolutely to work to get a start in life. Subsequently he bought
a small piece of land and made a farm where he resided until two
years ago, when he bought his present place, to which he at once re¬
moved. Here he has nearly a quarter of a section of improved prai¬
rie land. His commodious residence is deserving of extended notice.
Mr. and Mrs. Fields have five children: Alberts., Cora L., Johnnie
(a daughter), Alphonso and William H. Mr. and Mrs. F. are mem¬
bers of the Baptist Church.

MARK H. GARWOOD

(Of J. Mosby & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise, Wellsvillc).

For 20 years Mr. Garwood had been identified with the history and
o-rowth of Wellsville. He came here in 1864 and took charge of the
railway office at this place as agent and operator, and he continued
in charge of the office for some 10 years, at the expiration of which
time he resigned his position in order to give his attention to other
interests. Since then, up to two years ago, he was engaged in busi¬
ness at this place, except a short time, during which he was farming ;
and since 1882 he has been a member of the firm with which he is
now connected. This firm carries a large stock of general merchan¬
dise, and is one of the leading firms in this line throughout the north¬
western part of Montgomery county and the two contiguous vicinities
of Callaway and Audrain counties. While with the railroad Mr.
Garwood was regarded as one of the most efficient and popular local
agents on the line of the road, and since leaving the railway he has
won a not less enviable reputation as a business man. Mr. G. was
a son of Joseph Garwood, an old and prominent citizen of Atlantic
county, N. J., and his mother before her marriage was a Miss Judith
Somers, also of New Jersey. Judge Garwood was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and afterwards a judge of th^ Atlantic county court for

926

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

a number of years. He died at his homestead in that county in 1868.
Mark H. Garwood was born in Atlantic county, N. J., in 1832, and
was reared in his native county. He received a good common and
high school education, and after completing his studies engaged in
merchandising at Wyoming, Pa., where he continued for four years.
He had been brought up to a mercantile life, and in 1852 went to Cali¬
fornia and was encased in mercantile clerking out there for three
years. Returning home then, four years later, in 1859, he came West
to St. Louis, and in a short time began railroading on the North Mis¬
souri road. In a little while he was put in charge of the office at
Wellsville, and his record from that time has been briefly outlined
above. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Garwood was married to Miss Amanda
Petty, a daughter of J. S. Petty, Esq., of this county. Mr. and
Mrs. Petty have no children, but have lost four, all of whom died at
tender ages. Mr. G. is a member of the Christian Church, and he
is a member of the Masonic Chapter, and is worshipful master of the
lodge at this place.

JAMES W. HANCOCK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

On his father’s farm, in Licking county, O., was the place of Mr.
Hancock’s birth, and the 22d of January, 1850, the date. He was the
second in a family of five children of Archibald and Margaret Han¬
cock, both parents born and reared in Ohio, and still residents of Lick¬
ing county. Up to the age of 17 James W.’s youth was spent on the
farm, and in the neighborhood schools. At the age of 17 he entered
a drug store at Johnstown, O., to learn the business, taking a position
as clerk. While at Johnstown he also attended the Central Ohio Nor¬
mal school. After this he engaged in teaching in Ohio, and followed
it continuouslv until 1871, when he entered Holbrook’s National Nor-
mal School, a well known institution in Lebanon, O., where he took a
teacher’s course of two years. He then accepted a position as clerk
in a general store at Lock, Knox county, O. In 1874 Mr. Hancock
came to Missouri and engaged in teaching in Montgomery county . He
subsequently taught in Montgomery, Audrain and Callaway counties
continuouslv for about six years. In 1880 he was married to Miss
Nannie Peery, a daughter of Dr. Thomas Peerv, of Montgomery
county, but originally of Tazewell county, Va. He is now deceased,
however, having died in 1875. After his marriage, Mr. Hancock set¬
tled on the farm where he now resides, a good place of 120 acres,
where he is engaged in farming and raising stock. He also teaches
during the winter months of each year, and is regarded as one of the
thoroughly capable and successful teachers of the county. Mr. and
Mrs. Hancock have two children, Rex and Roy, the Latin and Old
English names for king, respectively, so that both are kings in name
as well as of their parents’ hearts in fact. Mr. H. is a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. During former vacations of
school, Mr. Hancock has traveled somewhat extensively over the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 927

West, visiting among other States, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Indiana,
etc.

ELISHA S. HAYDEN

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Hayden has resided on his present farm continuously for over
30 years, and is one of the well respected citizens of Upper Loutre
township, as well as one of its energetic and substantial farmers. He
was born in Logan county, Ky., July 31, 1824, and was a son of Elisha
Hayden, Sr., and wife, nee Mary A. Harrison. While he was yet in
infancy, in 1828, the family removed to Missouri, and after stopping
four or five years in Pike county, Mo., settled in Montgomery county
where the father entered land and improved a farm. He successively
entered and improved, or partially improved, different places in this
county, to which he removed, selling his former places, and finally, in
his old age, he went to Pike county, Ill., to spend his last days with
his eldest sou, Lewis E. Hayden. He died there in 1860. His

wife died in May, 1861. Elisha S. Hayden, the subject of this

sketch, grew up in Montgomery county and on the 26th of Decem¬
ber, 1850, was married to Miss Cynthia A. Fields, a daughter of
James Fields, one of the early settlers of Montgomery county, but
formerly of Maryland. After his marriage Mr. Hayden bought
land and improved a farm in Audrain county, where he resided for
about three years. Meanwhile, in about 1852, he bought a part

of his present tract of land, and the following year located on this

place. His tract contains 120 acres and his place is well improved,
including a good new frame dwelling he has just had built. Mr. and
Mrs. H. have seven children : Stephen T., John H., David J., Mary C.,
Joel L., Martha J. and Annie T. The older ones are married, except
Stephen T. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Christian Church,
both having been baptized on one occasion in 1860 by Elder John T.
Brooks. Mr. H. is the only one living of seven children, and he has
had a family of seven, never having lost a child.

DANIEL B. HUDSON

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Hudson was born in Montgomery county, New York, in 1827,
and was reared on his father’s farm in that county up to the age of 16.
He then went to Ohio, but returned to New York two years later, in
1846. He completed his ephebiage in New York, working during the
time at the milliner business, and afterwards when he had attained his
majority. In 1856 he was married in New York to Miss Mary Horth,
a daughter of John and Mary Horth, of Montgomery county, that
State. Meanwhile Mr. Hudson had been engaged in farming, and
made a specialty of dairying and making cheese for the markets. He
continued this in New York until 1870, when he removed to Missouri
with his family, locating at Jonesburg. In a short time he settled on
a farm near Garrett’s mill, where he resided until 1884, when he re-

928

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

moved to his present place, known as the Bethel farm. This is a good
place of 212 acres. Mr. Hudson is engaged generally in growing
grain and raising stock. Mr. and Mrs. H. have five children: Ida,
Hattje, Jane, Daniel and Amanda. One other, Charles, died in in¬
fancy. Ida is the wife of Charles H. Thompson, and Hattie the wife
of Charles Gifford. Mr. Hudson’s parents were Jason and Catherine
(Ames) Hudson, both natives of New York.

SOL. HUGHLETT

(Attorney-at-law, Wellsville, Mo).

The Hughlett familv came from Tennessee in the vear 1825 and
settled in Pike county, Mo. Sol.’s father was named John Hughlett;
his grandfather’s name was Thomas Hughlett. His mother came
from Virginia in 1828. Her name was Dianah Willis, daughter of
William Willis. Sol. Hughlett married Miss Mary E. Gray in Mid¬
dletown May 23, 1863, and he has since lived in Montgomery county,
Mo. Of this marriage he has a son named Arthur Hughlett, aged 19
years, and a daughter named Enice, six years old. Mr. Hughlett has
been elected and served two terms in the Legislature of the State of
Missouri, and is at this time a member of that body. He belongs to
the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges. His wife is a member of the
Christian Church. He claims nothing for himself but honesty and
hard labor.

ANDREW J. HUNTER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

In 1816 Mr. Hunter’s grandparents came to Missouri from North
Carolina and located at St. Louis. Four years later they made a
permanent settlement in the southern part of Montgomery county,
where they improved a farm and lived until their deaths. Their son,
Ephraim Hunter, after he grew up married Miss Lena Hall, originally
of South Carolina, and of this union Andrew J. was born November
18, 1833. Andrew J.’s father died in 1876, and he, the subject of
this sketch, is the only son in the family of eight children who grew
to mature years. He was reared on the farm, and when a young
man learned picture-taking by the daguerreotype process. He fol¬
lowed this afterwards for about two years, and in 1853 was married
to Miss Margaret J. Hunter, of this county, a distant relative of his.
She died, however, July 20, 1856, leaving a daughter, Nancy J., who
is now the wife of William Heite, of Newton, Kas. Mr. Hunter was
married to his present wife April 5, 1859. She was a Miss Melissa
J., a daughter of M. H. Stone, of Montgomery county, but formerly
of Kentucky. Six children are the fruits of this union: Samuel A.,
dementia A., who is the wife of A. O. Bonicourt ; Ethelbert W.,
Augustus A., Robert J. and Priscilla. After his first marriage Mr.
Hunter settled down to farming in the southern part of the county,
and he has continued farming, alternated with other occupations,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

929

up to the present time ; though since 1875 he has been engaged in
farming exclusively. His homestead contains 80 acres, which is sub¬
stantially and comfortably improved. He also owns a neat place a
mile north of his homestead. Mr. H. and wife are members of the
M. E. Church, and he is a prominent member of the A. O. U. W. and
of the G. A. R. Mr. Hunter served for 14 months in the Union
army as a member of Co. C, Ninth Missouri cavalry, and rose from
the ranks as a private to the position of first corporal. He was finally
honorably discharged on account of physical disability. He was in
some 16 engagements of more or less importance, including the fight
with Poindexter on Grand river, in Chariton county.

LOUIS L. KIRK

(Editor and Proprietor of the Wide-Awake , Attorney at Law, Real Estate Agent,

Notary Public and Conveyancer, Wellsville).

Mr. Kirk, one of the energetic and progressive citizens of Wells¬
ville, was originally from Pennsylvania, born in Mercer county, De¬
cember 3, 1848. His parents, however, Caleb and Julia (Jacobs)
Kirk, were natives of Ohio, and had removed to Pennsylvania only a
short time before Louis’ birth. His father followed merchandising in
Ohio, but after removing to Pennsylvania engaged in farming and
sheep-raising. In 1865 the family removed to Iowa, where his father
remarried and moved to Missouri, settling on a farm in Audrain county,
where they resided about nine years, young Louis having in the
meantime located in Kansas. The father, who was in comfortable
circumstances, then retired from farming and from all active labor,
and came with his family to Wellsville, where he resided until his
death in February, 1882. Prior to leaving his native State young
Kirk had spent most of his time at school, and when he came West, in
1862, he at once entered Birmingham College, in Iowa, where he
spent two years in study. He continued in Iowa until he entered the
State University of Kansas, which he attended for five years. He
then engaged in teaching school and taught with success in Kansas for
about four years. In 1878 young Kirk went to Texas and became
principal of Shiloh Academy, in Lamar county, a position he filled
with entire satisfaction to the patrons of the school for two sessions.
He now decided to prepare himself for journalism, a profession for
which he has always had a preference, and he accordingly went to
Paris, Tex., where he learned the practical work of typography as
well as the details of newspaper management, and contributed articles
editorial and local. He subsequently worked at Dallas, Tex. In
1876 Mr. Kirk returned to Kansas and became principal of the High
School at Garnett, where he remained for about a year. In the
spring of the following year he came to Wellsville, to where his father
had removed in the meantime, and was solicited by the people to de¬
liver the Fourth of July address on the occasion of the celebration of
the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. His address was
pronounced by all who heard it one of more than ordinary ability and

930

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

grace and eloquence. Prior to this Mr. Kirk had entered upon the
study of law with a view of devoting himself to the legal profession.
In due time he entered the law department of the State University at
Columbia, where he took a regular course and graduated with dis¬
tinction in 1878. He then returned to Wellsville and engaged ac¬
tively in the practice of law. In a short time his old taste for jour¬
nalism reasserted itself and he bought the Bazoo newspaper office at
this place. After running this successfully for a short time the office
was accidently burned out and afterward, with H. F. Childers, he
established the Wide-Awake in 1880. This has proved a successful
newspaper venture. Its motto is, “ Hew to the line, let the chips fall
where they may and it is therefore an independent paper. It has
the good will of the better people of both parties and receives cordial
and hearty support from the general public. Mr. Kirk is also en¬
gaged in the real estate business, and, in connection, is a notary
public and does a good conveyancing business. He is likewise secre¬
tary of the Triple Alliance Insurance Company, at Wellsville, and is
interested in the telephone lines between this place, Middletown, Mont¬
gomery City and Danville. He is also secretary of the Wellsville
Library Association. Mr. Kirk is a live, energetic man, and his
numerous duties keep him fully occupied, indeed, but few men could
attend to all these varied matters as he does.

DAVID LEHNEN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Lehnen, one of the large land-owners and well-to-do citizens of
this county, is a native of Canada, but is of Swiss parentage, the fam¬
ily having emigrated from Switzerland to the Dominion of Canada a
few years before his birth. His mother, however, who was a Miss
Elizabeth Kannar before her marriage, was born in Prussia. Godfrey
Lehnen, his father, is of an ancient family in Switzerland, and although
now quite advanced in years, is a man of strong, vigorous intelligence
and marked ener^vand activity. David Lehnen was born near Toronto,
in Canada, March 15, 1851, and was reared on his father’s farm. He
is the eldest in a family of nine sons and four daughters, all but one
of whom, a son, are now living. Four of the brothers and two of the
sisters are residents of this county. The others are still in Canada.
David Lehnen, after completing his studies at school and attaining
his majority, began life for himself in the milling business, in Canada,
which he followed for over two vears. He then sold out and came to

Missouri, and in 1877 ensued in the hardware business in Wellsville.
A year later he disposed of his hardware business and engaged in
farming and the stock business, continuing to reside, however, in
Wellsville, until last spring. Meanwhile he had bought large bodies
of land in the county, and he now owns and controls, together, over
2,000 acres of fine land, most of which is improved. His homestead
farm contains 700 acres. There are four orood dwelling houses on the
place and three good barns, with other improvements to correspond,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

931

This year he had about 600 acres of grain and about 150 acres of
meadow. He also has charge of a farm belonging to his father of
500 acres and has another place leased of 800 acres. He is a man
whose energy and enterprise are equal to any undertaking, and whose
business judgment and good management have invariably made him
successful in all his ventures. He is extensivelv engaged in the stock
industry. April 9, 1872, Mr. Lehnen was married to Miss Louisa
Seiler, a daughter of George Seiler, of Canada. Mr. and Mrs.- L.
have four children: Edwin E., William H., Leander and an infant
daughter. He and wife are members of the Swedenborgian Church.

JOHM M. McCLURE

(Editor and Proprietor of the Wellsville Democrat) .

No biographical conspectus of Montgomery county which purports
to reflect the various phases of life exhibited in the lives of the rep¬
resentative citizens of this county would be complete which did not
include at least a brief outline of the life of the subject of the pres¬
ent sketch. At the age of 12 years he started out for himself solely
on his own resources, without a dollar and with only a limited primary
knowledge of books. He learned the printer’s trade and educated
himself. In a little while, such were the personal worth, business
qualifications and keen, clear intelligence which he exhibited, that he
was placed in charge of the paper by the company that ran it, al¬
though he was still harcllv more than a boy. Before he was 17
years of age he leased the paper, and has since conducted it with
increasing success and reputation. Young McClure has made the
Democrat one of the prosperous, valuable, well-conducted newspapers
of the county, and has placed it in a position of marked influence in pub¬
lic affairs in a remarkably short space of time. Young McClure is
now less than 18 years of age and is without question the youngest
newspaper editor and proprietor in Missouri. His record and pros¬
pects are such as to justify the community in feeling a pardonable
pride in his career and outlook. He was born at Middletown, Mo.,
December 19, 1866, and was a son of Granville L. McClure, Esq., the
well known attorney of that place, but now deceased. His mother
was a Miss Rachel Manning, a daughter of Asa Manning, formerly
of Kentucky. His hither was a Kentuckian and sympathized with the
South during the war, and on that account was persecuted to some
extent by the militia. John M. was 9 years of age at the time of his
father’s death, and at the age of 12 was compelled to put out into the
world for himself. He went to work in a printing office at Middle-
town, where he worked for about five months, and then went to work
on a farm. Afterwards, however, he returned to the printing office
and wofked at Middletown for about six months. He then came to
Wellsville where he worked in the Democrat office for some eight
months. At the expiration of this time, the manager of the paper
having resigned, he was placed in charge of it by the company and he
published the paper three months for the company. In February, 1884,

932

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

he leased the paper and has ever since continued to run it, having
made it a complete success. The only thing that can be said
against young McClure, even if he were a candidate for office, is
that he is a member of a base ball club. It must be confessed that he
is even secretary of the club.

WILLIAM MARTEN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsvillc).

Mr. Marten has been a resident of Montgomery county for over 25
years, and was a man originallv from England, though he had resided
previous to coming to Montgomery county in Warren county and in
St. Louis. During his entire residence in this county he has been
actively engaged in farming, and has had good success. His home¬
stead contains 360 acres, which is well improved, and besides which
he has a tract of valuable timber laud. Mr. Marten was born at
Cornwall, England, February 28, 1821, and was a son of John and
Elizabeth (French) Marten, both of old families in that part of En¬
gland. Mr. Marten was reared at Cornwall, and on the 25th of De-
cember, 1852, he was married in his native county, in England, to
Miss Caroline Wroth. The following vear after his marriage, Mr.
Marten, believing that there were better opportunities on this side the
Atlantic for young men of energy and industry to establish them¬
selves comfortably in life, embarked with his young wife for the New
World. After landing at New York he came directly to St. Louis,
from which, after a short residence, he removed to Warren county.
From there two years later he came to Montgomery county where he
has ever since resided and been engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs.
Marten have five children: Annie, who is now the wife of W. O.
Williams; Mary, now the wife of David Nation, of St. Clair county;
John T., William and Charles. One, besides, is deceased, Katie,
who died in the fall of 1860.

ANDREW MEYERS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

In 1853 the parents of Mr. Meyers, Andrew, Sr. and Annie (Ko-
bolka) Meyers, with their family, including Andrew, Jr. and wife,
who was a Miss Frances Sweiger before her marriage, a daughter of
Thomas and Annie (Moresh) Sweiger, immigrated to America from
Bohemia, in North-western Austria, and located for a time in Pitts¬
burg, Pa., where both father and son worked at the carpenter’s trade,
which they had previously followed in their native country. Andrew,
Jr., was born at the city of'Estri, Bohemia, June 26, 1833, and up to
the age of thirteen his time from early boyhood was spent at school.
He then began at the carpenter’s trade under his father and worked
at it until he reached militarv age, when he had to enter the armv.
In order that young Meyers might accompany his folks to this country
his father had to pay $500 in cash to commute his son’s term of ser-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

933

vice in the army. Young Meyers had married only a week or two
before embarking for America, and it naturally seemed a Providential
deliverance to him to be able to escape to a country where he would
be free to labor for himself and family without hinderance. Mr. M.
worked at Pittsburg for some twelve years and then at St. Louis for
about nine years. Meanwhile he had bought land in Montgomery
county, and he now went to work improving a farm here. To-day
he is one of the substantial farmers of his township, has a good farm
of 225 acres well improved, some valuable timbered lands, and is
comfortably situated. Mr. and Mrs. Meyers have ten children : Andrew
(married); Bertha, wife of Philip Wolfe; Frances, wife of Joseph
Portercheck ; Louis, Annie, August, Eddie, Cecelia, Peter and
Amelia. Two others are deceased. All the family are members of
the Catholic Church.

JACOB MILLER

(Dealer in Lumber, Shingles, Laths, Doors, Window Sash, Etc., Wellsville).

Mr. Miller, a native of Switzerland where he was reared and edu¬
cated, has been a resident of Wellsville for nearly twenty years, and
for the last 15 years has been successfully engaged in his present line
of business. He carries more than an ordinarily large stock in his
line, and does a heavy business, resulting no doubt from the numerous
improvements constantly going on. His trade amounts to from about
$30,000 to $35,000 a year and his lumber yard is the leading one
throughout a large region of country surrounding Wellsville. Mr.
Miller was born in the Canton of Argan-Becirk-Aarau, February 6,
1829. His parents were each of old Swiss families and his mother,
Elizabeth, died when he was about 10 years of age. His father, Jacob
Miller, subsequently married again and in 1854 the family came to
America, Jacob, Jr., coming with them and all locating at St. Louis.
All the others are now deceased except a half-sister, Mrs. John Funk,
of St. Louis county. Jacob learned the shoe-maker’s trade in Swit¬
zerland, but after coming to St. Louis clerked in a store until 1858.
He and W. H. Kutts then started a grocery store in St. Louis which
Mr. M. continued until he came to Wellsville in 1865. Here he ran
a general store four years and then bought out two lumber yards
which he consolidated and has since been in the lumber business.
March 10, 1861, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Caroline, a daugh¬
ter of Karl Hertz, formerly of Prussia, but now deceased. Mr. and
Mrs. M. have reared four children : William H.,Hugo, Oscar and Emily.
The two older boys are graduates of Jones, Commercial College. Mr.
M. is a prominent Mason.

AMOS F. MORSE

(Farmer, Post-office, Martinsburg).

Among the neat, progressive and well-to-do farmers of the north¬
western part of the county is the subject of the present sketch. Mr.

934

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Morse came to Montgomery comity in 1867, where he has ever since
resided. His excellent farm, situated about one and three-fourths
miles north-east of Martinsburg, has on it a commodious two-story
frame house, pleasantly situated. He has a line grove of 1,000 forest
trees raised from the seed which he planted. Mr. Morse was born in
Rutland county, Yt., November 7, 1838. He was reared in his native
county and received a good common and high school education. In
1861 his parents, Harris and Electa (Roberts) Morse, both also
natives of Vermont, removed to Wisconsin, and located in Rock
county, where the father engaged in farming. Six years afterwards,
however, they removed to Montgomery county, Mo., and settled on
the place where AmosF. now resides. Here the mother died in 1869,
and the father in 1873. Amos F. attended Commercial College at
Oswego, N. Y., and in the fall of 1860 went to Wisconsin. Subse¬
quently, however, he went back to Vermont, but in 1862 returned to
Wisconsin, and was engaged in farming there in partnership with his
father until 1867. They also made a specialty of raising sheep while
there. They then came to Missouri and improved the farm where
Mr. M. now resides. He and his cousin, J. F. Morse, bought over
900 acres of land, which has since been divided between them.
September 3, 1869, Mr. Morse was married in St. Louis to Miss Mary
E., a daughter of Truman Mears, of Vermont. They have reared
one child, Lucretia E., now aged about 13 years. Mr. and Mrs. M.
are members of the Congregational Church, and he is clerk of the
school board, and was school director for seven years. He is also a
member of the United Workmen order.

WORCESTER H. MORSE

(Farmer ancl Fine Stock-raiser, Post-office, Martinsburg).

Mr. Morse is an older brother to Amos F. Morse, whose sketch
precedes this, and like the former is one of the progressive farmers
of the township. He is breeding and raising fine thoroughbred short¬
horn cattle, and thus far has had excellent success in this line of
industry. His farm contains 240 acres, with 40 acres of timbered
land in addition tributary to it. He also has another tract of 480
acres of farming land under his control adjoining his place, which
belongs to his cousin, J . F. Morse. He was born in Rutland county,
Vt., February 2, 1836. The family is of Scotch-English descent and
Mr. M. is distantly related to Prof. Morse, of telegraph fame. Before
reaching his majority Worcester H. learnqd the machinist’s trade,
which he followed until he was 23 years of age. He then, in the
spring of 1859, came West to the vicinity of Beloit, Wis., where he
engaged in farming and fine sheep-raising, which he followed for about
six years. In the summer of 1862 he enlisted in Co. I, Twenty-
second Wisconsin infantry, in which he served until the close of the
war, rising from the ranks by meritorious conduct as a soldier and
gallantry to the position of first lieutenant of his company. He was in
the battles of Spring Hill, Tenn., Brentwood Station, Resaca, the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

935

siege of Atlanta, Averysboro’, Deep Bottom, near Goldsboro’, N. C.,
and many others. On Sherman’s march to the sea he commanded a
scouting party in front of the Twentieth Army corps during the en¬
tire campaign, and had more or less skirmishing almost daily. At
Brentwood Station he was taken prisoner and confined in Libby
prison for about a month, or until he was exchanged. After the war
he returned to Wisconsin, and July 18, 1865, was married to Miss
Drusilla, a daughter of John Bannister, of Beloit, Wis., but formerly
of Vienna, N. Y. After his marriage Mr. M. removed to Iowa and
was engaged in farming and sheep raising near Manchester for two
years, after which he came to Montgomery county. In 1871 he was
appointed by the State to examine and report on the location and
value of the Agricultural College lands of Missouri, and during that
and the two following years traveled quite extensively in the south
and south-eastern parts of the State in the performance of this duty.
In 1877 he introduced barbed wire into the general wholesale trade in
this State, and traveled, representing a large factory in that interest,
for a part of each of three years. He has ever since handled more
or less barbed wire. Mr. and Mrs. Morse have five children: Joseph
B., Annie, John H., Henry S. and Worcester S. Mr. and Mrs. M.
are members of the Congregational Church, and he is a member of
the Grand Army of the Republic.

MILTON H. MYERS

(Painter, Wellsville) .

Mr. Myers is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Alleghany City,
November 7, 1841, and a son of Samuel H. and Maria C. (Kauffman)
Myers, both of old Pennsylvania families. In 1848 the family re¬
moved to Ashland county, Ohio, from there to Richland county, and
thence to Montgomery county, Mo. The father, a painter by trade,
died while on a visit to Ohio, in 1882. Milton H., who received a
good common-school education and was brought up to the painter’s
trade, enlisted in the Eighty-fourth Ohio infantry, in June, 1862, and
served three months. He then enlisted in the One Hundred and
Tenth Ohio, and served until the close of the war, being promoted in
the meantime from the ranks to the position of first lieutenant. He
was in a number of the hardest fought battles of the war, and was
wounded at Cold Harbor and at the fall of Richmond. After the war
he clerked in a drug store at Shelby, Ohio, and then came to Missouri.
Here he located at Wellsville and went to work at the painter’s trade.
He afterwards bought a mill and was engaged in the manufacture of
lumber, until 1876. In 1872 he was appointed justice of the peace,
and was then elected to that office. In 1878 he resumed his trade,
and works during the busy season three men. He is also engaged in
paper hanging and carries a large stock of wall paper and paints, oils,
etc., for sale. Politically, Mr. Myers is a Prohibitionist, and is zeal¬
ously on the side of the home against the saloon. He even refuses to
paint a saloon, or have anvthing to do with it, except to vote and

936

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

work for its extermination on every and all proper occasions. March
6, 1873, he was married to Miss Mary E., a daughter of James Cut¬
ler (deceased), formerly of Richland county, Ohio. They have three
children : Anna, Eugene and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members
of the M. E. Church, and he is a member of the G. A. R.

JAMES T. NELSON

(Of Nelson & Shores, Dealers in Hardware, Farm Implements, Buggies, Wagons, Etc.,

Etc., Montgomery City).

Mr. Nelson has had what may almost be said to be a life-time
experience in mercantile business, and one of substantial success.
This he has achieved solely by his own energy, enterprise and per¬
severance. He has been engaged in business atWellsville since 1876,
and partly alone and the remainder of the time in association with a
good, active, energetic partner, one of the leading* houses of Wells-
ville and throughout the surrounding country has been built up. In
the hardware line the house of Nelson & Shores would not suffer by
comparison with the leading houses in places of twice or three times the
population of Wellsville. They own their own building, a large, com¬
modious business house, and have an annual trade aggregating over
$50,000. Besides a full assortment of first-class shelf and heavy
hardware, they carry full lines of the latest and best makes of agri¬
cultural implements and farm machinery, and also a good stock of
wagons and buggies of established reputations. Mr. Neison was
born in Rappahannock county, Va., May 17, 1831. His parents
removed to Lincoln county, Mo., when he was 5 years of age,
where he was reared to manhood. His father, now widely and
well known as “Uncle Ira T. Nelson,” is still living, at the
advanced age of 87 years, and a resident of that county. He
is still quite vigorous and active, and takes a lively interest in local
and s;eneral affairs. He has been an active working Democrat all his
life, and has been a member of the Baptist Church for over 40 years.
His first wife, the mother of James T., was a Miss Virginia Foley
before her marriage. He lost both his first and second wives, by
each of whom he reared a family of children ; but he has no children
by his last wife. Uncle Ira is a first cousin to Jud£>'e Nelson, the dis-
tinguished jurist of New York State. James T. Nelson, the subject
of this sketch, commenced his career in mercantile life as clerk in a
store in New Hope, in Lincoln count}7, when he was 20 years of age.
What education he had, he acquired mainly by study at home of
nights. After clerking for three years, he became a partner in
business with his employer. Five years afterwards he located at
Waverly, in Lafayette county, where he sold goods for two years.
He then became traveling salesman for a large wholesale grocery
house in St. Louis, in which line he continued without interruption
for some 16 years. But at last, tiring of the road, in 1876 he
engaged in business at Carthage, remaining, however, only a short
time. He then came to Wellsville and established a hardware store

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

937

here, which he conducted successfully alone until Mr. Shores became
his partner in 1882. Mr. Nelson has been married twice. To his
first wife, nee Miss Allie Watters, of Lincoln county, he was married
in 1855. She survived, however, less than two years ; and in 1858
he was married to Miss Kate Watters, a sister of his first wife, daugh¬
ters of Landy Watters, of Lincoln county, but now deceased. There
is but one child, Elizabeth, who is by his last wife, and now a young
lady. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church, and he has been

a member of the Masonic order for over 30 years.

WILLIAM NEWLEE

(Farmer, Brick-mason and Brick-maker, Post-office, Montgomery City).

Mr. Newlee, who has for nearly half a century been a resident of
this county, and is now long past the allotted age of three score and
ten, one of the old and respected citizens of the county, and yet re¬
markably well preserved for a man of his age, is bv nativit}' a worthy son
of the Old Dominion, born in Montgomery countv, Va., January 10,
1813. He was the third in a family of eleven children of William
and Mary (Glenn ) Newlee, his father a tailor by trade, originally from
Maryland, but his mother born and reared in Virginia. The family
subsequently removed to Tennessee, where the father died in 1864.
The mother had preceded him to the grave in 1851. William New¬
lee in his ephebiage learned the brick-mason’s and brick-maker’s
trade, and he has followed these occupations more or less continuously
ever since. He now has a large brickyard at Montgomery City and
also one at his homestead, and he has made the principal percentage
of all the brick that have been used in and around Montgomery City.
He also has a good farm of nearly 200 acres, and is engaged generally
in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Newlee came to Missouri in 1837,
and for two years was engaged in the brick trade in Callaway county.
He then came to Montgomery county, where he has resided ever since.
He was justice of the peace of Upper Loutre township for over twenty
years continuously, from 1845 to 1866. During this time he was ab¬
sent from the county but three months, this interim being spent on
a trip to Pike’s Peak during the year 1858. In 1834 Mr. Newlee was
married to Miss Amanda Wilson, a daughter of Samuel K. and Cath¬
erine (Peterman) Wilson, formerly of Virginia. This union has been
blessed with seventeen children, eight of whom are living, namely:
Ellen J., Virginia C., James O., John R., Redman W., Sarah N.,
Arah L. and Melvina. The deceased were: Rachel S., Robert L.,
Samuel P., Mary E., William P., Charley F., and three others died
in infancy. The fourth, fifth and sixth of those mentioned as de¬
ceased lived above 16 vears of age. All of the sons living were
brought up to the brick business and are engaged in that at the pres¬
ent time. Three of the boys were in the Union army during the war,
or rather in the State militia. William P., however, was in the reg¬
ular United States service.

938

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ALPHEUS PAYNE

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Payne was born in Scott county, Va., September 15, 1830, and
was the fifth in a family of nine children of David and Margaret
(Thompson) Payne, his father a locksmith by trade and from Dublin,
Ireland, but his mother a daughter of Michael Thompson, of Virginia.
He was reared to farm work and attended the schools of Rodgersville,
Tenn., and Danville, Ivy., to which points his father removed. In
1844 the family came to Missouri, but returned to Kentucky the fol¬
lowing year, locating near Lebanon, where the father died in 1877.
The mother died in Missouri in 1844. Alpheus Payne, besides work¬
ing on the farm, also learned the milling business when a youth, in¬
deed, the latter formed his principal occupation. In 1846 he went to
Mexico as post-rider, and the following year enlisted in Walker’s bat¬
talion, where he served for two years. He then came to Missouri, lo¬
cating in Ralls county, where the family had resided in 1844, and the
same year he wTas married in that county to Miss Wysida Chipwood, a
daughter of ex- Judge Chipwood, of that county. He then engaged
in farming in Ralls county, and in 1854 removed to Audrain county,

where he farmed for three years. In 1857 he vTent to Southern

Mexico to engage in stock trading, but came back the following year.
In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service, and re¬
mained out for four years, or until the close of the war, participating
in all the battles and campaigns of his command. He then went to
Mexico with Gen. Shelby, but returned and bought a flouring mill in
Ralls county, where he followed milling until 1880. Mr. Payne then
went to Texas and took charge of a large stock ranch. Two years
later he returned to Ralls county, and in 1883 came to Montgomery
county. Meanwhile his first wife had died, leaving him four children :
Ella M., Rosana, Eva G. and Mollie J. Two others died at tender
ages. In 1882 he was married to Mrs. Harriet Archie, a widow lady
whose maiden name was Amsell. Two yegxs after his marriage, or
the past year, Mr. Payne settled on the farm where he now resides.
This place contains 160 acres of land, all fenced and otherwise im¬
proved. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the Primitive Baptist
Church. Mr. P. is also a member of the A. F. and A. M. He and
wife have one child, Alpheus Theodore.

HORATIO G. PENN

(Dealer in Groceries, Queen’s-ware, Glassware, Etc., Wellsville;.

Mr. Penn is the son of John W. Penn, of St. Charles county, but
formerly of Virginia, and a descendant of Sir William Penn, the
founder of Pennsylvania. Horatio G. was born in St. Charles county,
June 14, 1841. His mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth S. Major,
and when he was 11 years of age the family removed to Lincoln
county. After living there six years they moved back to St. Charles

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

939

county. His father was a blacksmith and wagon-maker by trade and
also a carpenter, and, indeed, was a natural mechanic, skillful with
any kind of tools. He made a wagon, doing both the wood and iron
work, that made a successful trip to and from California, and also a
trip to Pike’s Peak. Horatio G. grew up in St. Charles county. He
had a fair common-school education and learned the tobacco business
in a tobacco factory. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, of Col.
Burbridge’s cavalry regiment, of Harris’ division, Southern service, in
which he served for 12 months, during which time he participated in
the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, and numerous skirmishes. At
Pea Ridge he was taken prisoner, but was paroled in a few days. He
afterwards clerked in a store at Middletown for two years, and then
followed farming for two years. September 25, 1865, he was married
to Miss Sarah F. Crouch, a daughter of Thomas Crouch, an early
settler of Ralls county. Two years after his marriage, having followed
farming in Audrain county in the meantime, he removed to Lincoln
county and established a blacksmith shop at Olney, which he carried
on for a short time. He then accepted a position as clerk in a store
at Middletown, and in 1877 went West, spending a year in California,
engaged in mining, milling, etc. In the spring of 1879 he located in
Wellsville and followed clerking in a store here for five years. In the
spring of 1884 he began his present business at this place. He has
an excellent and well selected stock of goods in his line, and has al¬
ready built up a good trade. Mr. and Mrs. Penn have four children :
Lulu M., Maud M., Leta and Charles W. Mrs. P. is a member of
the Christian Church and he is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Mr.
Penn, besides his grocery business, is also handling the Plano Har¬
vester and Twine Binder, the best machine of the kind now in the
market.

EDWARD W. PURVIS

CRetired Farmer* Wellsville).

Scotland is the country of Mr. Purvis’ nativity and where he was
reared. He was born near Glasgow, in September, 1827, and was a
son of William and Sarah Purvis, both parents being of the same sur¬
name and distantly related, and of an ancient family in their native
country. Mr. Purvis’ father was a farmer, and Edward W. remained
on the farm until he was 15 years of age, when he entered a calico
print works as an employe and continued in that industry for about
11 years, or until 1853, when he immigrated to America. Meanwhile,
in 1847, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Coddle, who accompanied
him to America, but died two years afterwards of cholera in Illinois.
Mr. Purvis, on coming to America, located at Freeport, Ill., where he
worked two years at the carpenter’s trade, and after his wife’s death
went to Wisconsin, locating near Galesville. After working at another
point a short time, he removed to Decorah, Winneshiek county, la.
and was there 14 years, working at the carpenter’s trade and doing a
general contracting and building business. For about two years while
there, however, he was engaged in gardening, but not with success.

940

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

In the contracting and building business, however, he accumulated
some means. In April, 1857, Mr. Purvis was married to Miss Eliza¬
beth, a daughter of John Corn, formerly of Pennsylvania. Mr. Pur¬
vis was reared in Ohio and moved in 1853 to Freeport, Stephenson
county, Ill. In 1870, Mr. Purvis came to Missouri and bought land
in the immediate vicinity of Wellsville, where he improved a farm
and resided for some 15 years. In 1880 he sold his farm and retired
from agricultural life. He thereupon bought property in Wellsville
and removed to town. He has from time to time bought other prop¬
erty at this place and now owns several valuable residence properties
and a number of choice town lots. Mr. Purvis and wife are members
of the M. E. Church at Wellsville, and he has been a member of the
Odd Fellows order for 20 years.

LEVI AND JAMES C. RAWSON

(Of Rawson & Son, Proprietors of the Wellsville Woolen Mills).

The Rawson family settled originally in this country in Vermont, of
which State the father of the senior subject of this sketch, Calvin
Rawson, was a native. He afterwards removed to Cayuga county, N.
Y., where he lived for a number of vears. From there he removed
to Ohio with his family, in which State he made his permanent home.
Levi Rawson was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., December 28, 1828,
and was about six years of age when his parents removed to Ohio.
He grew up in the latter State, and in early manhood was married
there to Miss Marv Ann Sabin. Having been reared a farmer, he con-
tinued to follow that occupation during his subsequent residence in
Ohio. His first wife died there, and he then removed farther West,
finally locating in Stephenson county, Ill. There he was subsequently
married to Mrs. Amelia H. Sabin, relict of Nathan Sabin, and a
daughter of M. T. Hutchinson. In the fall of 1856, Mr. Rawson,
leaving Stephenson county, came to Missouri, and for a short time
stopped near Bowling Green, in Pike county. The following winter,
however, he bought a farm six miles north-east of Wellsville, where
he resumed farming and continued it for some eight years. He then
traded his farm for the brick flouring mill at Wellsville, and therefore
moved his family to this place and took charge of the mill. He con¬
tinued to run the mill for nearly four years, but then sold it in order
to turn his whole attention to his woolen milling business, in which he
had also engaged a short time before. He has been successfully en¬
gaged in this business ever since. Meanwhile, his son, James C.
Rawson, had grown up and is now, as be has been for some years
past, his father’s partner in business. James C. was born of his
father’s second marriage, in Stephenson county, Ill., January 2, 1851.
He was reared to the age of 15 in his native county. He received a
good public school education as he grew up, and was brought up to
good habits and to strict industry. The result is that he has come to
be a young business man of energy and enterprise and of excellent
business qualifications. The firm of Rawson & Son have had a sue-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

941

cessful career in their woolen milling business. They added to their
factory from time to time until they had one of the best carding and
spinning establishments in this part of the country. They have sold
out recently all of their woolen machinery and are replacing the same
with flour mill machinery. They also have a saw mill department, in
which they do a large business, especially in the winter and early
spring. On the 15th of January, 1873, Mr. Rawson, Jr., was married
in this county to Miss Annie Bay, a daughter of Maj. J. C. Bay, de¬
ceased, late a prominent citizen of this county, formerly from Ohio.
Mrs. Rawson was educated at the common district school. They have
three children: Charles L., Bessie L. and Harry F. Mr. R. and
wife are members of the Congregational Church, and he is a member
of the A. O. U. W. He has filled several local political offices.

JOHN H. REED

(Retired Merchant, Wellsville).

Mr. Reed, now retired from business, is one of the oldest business
men in length of residence and continuous business, if not the oldest
one, in Wellsville, and is one of success. He came here in 1859 and
has been here ever since, for a period of 25 years. He was born in
Maryland, August 1, 1832, and on his father’s side came of an old
family in Maryland. His grandfather Reed was in the War of 1812,
from that State ; he was in the naval service of the United States,
and was run down at sea, having his ship sunk, which was loaded
with flour, by a British man-of-war. In 1851 Mr. Reed’s parents,
Thomas and Elizabeth (Taylor) Reed, removed to Missouri, and he,
then 19 years of age, came with them. They first located at Hanni¬
bal, but shortly afterwards at Middletown, in Montgomery county,
where the father was successfully engaged in farming until his death,
which occurred in 1863. John H. Reed was partly brought up to
mercantile business, and continued with his father until he was 22
years of age, or until 1854. He then went overland to California in
the company of Henry McCune, and spent about two years princi¬
pally in the mines, and with fair success. Returning in 1857, via
the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans, he remained two years at
Middletown engaged in manual labor. From Middletown Mr. Reed
came to Wellsville, and has been here ever since. For the first three
years he clerked in a store, and then bought out a farm and engaged
in business on his own account. For years he was engaged in general
merchandising, and also later along in buying and shipping grain.
About two years ago he bought a half interest in the Wellsville flour¬
ing mill, and was an active partner in that until a short time since.
He also bought a half interest in a grain elevator and shipped large
quantities of grain. But he has retired from this also. December
24, 1862, Mr. Reed was married at Wellsville to Miss Agnes Holliday,
a daughter of Beverly Holliday, an early settler of Montgomery
county, originally from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have four
children living: Charles W., Wilmer H., Calvin D. and Gladys.

942

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Mrs. R. is a member of the M. E. Church South, and Mr. Reed is a
member of the Christian Church. He is also a prominent Mason and
Oddfellow.

CHRISTIAN F. SCHWENDKER

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Schwendker is a native of Germany, born in Prussia, April 12,
1835. His parents were Henry Schwendker and Elizabeth, nee
Schwendker. He was reared in Prussia, and up to the age of 14 his
time was principally spent at school. He was then apprenticed to the
tailor’s trade and served for three years. Subsequently he worked as
a journeyman tailor until he was 20 years of age, when, having saved
up a little means, he decided to come to America. He landed at
Quebec in 1855, and worked at his trade in Port Elgin, Bruce county,
Can., for 10 years. He then engaged in farming in that county, which
he followed there until 1868, when he removed to Missouri, and bought
a part of the land where he now resides, on which he located and went
to work improving a farm. He has made a fine farm here, one of the
best improved in the township. He has an excellent orchard, con¬
taining over 200 bearing apple trees and a choice variety of other
large and small fruits. December 9, 1862, Mr. Schwendker was
married to Miss Katharine Schilholtz, a daughter of Heinrich Schil-
holtz, of Perth county, Can. Mr. and Mrs. Schwendker have nine
children : Louis, Mary, Arthur, Clara, Elizabeth, Anne, Jacob, Emma
and Henry. They have lost one in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. S. are
members of the Swedenborgian Church, and he is a member of the A.
O. U. W. at Wellsville.

ROMEO J. SHANER

(Dealer in Furniture and Cabinet-maker, Wellsville).

In 1877 Mr. Shaner, who was then a young man in his twenty-
third year, came to Missouri and located at Wellsville. He began
breaking on the Wabash Railway, and continued in the service of the
Wabash for about four years. He was soon promoted to the conductor-
ship of a freight train running between Glenwood and Ottumwa, which
he held until he quit the road. He then engaged in contracting and
building, which he had previously learned, and worked at it success¬
fully until 1884, when he established his present furniture store and
cabinet shop at this place. He had also previously learned the cabi¬
net-maker’s trade. Mr. Shaner carries a good stock of goods and
has an excellent trade. His business is on a prosperous basis, and he has
every prospect of a successful business career. Mr. Shaner was born
at Shaner Station, near Monongahela City, Alleghany county, Pa.,
October 5, 1854. He was reared in his native county, and received a
good education. He was sent to Watertown College, Ohio, where he
took a thorough course and graduated in 1875. Before coming to
Missouri, as has been stated, he learned the carpenter’s and cabinet-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

943

maker’s trades, and he had also learnt engineering, having worked at
a stationary engine for a short time. In 1878 Mr. Shaner, or Romeo,
as he is known among the young folks, met Miss Fannie A. Perry,
and on the 17th of December, 1878, they were happily united in
marriage, and their union has proved one of singular felicity. They
have an interesting little son, Fred H., born December 27, 1882.
Mrs. S. is a member of the M. E. Church South. Mr. S. is a mem-
of the Triple Alliance.

WILLIAM H. SHACKELFORD

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Wellsville).

Mr. Shackelford has one of the leading stores in the general mer-
chandiseline in Wellsville. His stock includes large and select lines of
dry goods, clothing, groceries, boots, shoes, etc., and he has two rooms
adjoining filled with goods, and is doing a good business. Mr.
Shackelford is a native of Montgomery county and a representative of
one of the old and highly respected families of the county. His father
was Hon. Willis G. Shackelford, a well known lawyer of the county,
now deceased, and formerly a representative in the State Legislature,
and for years judge of the probate court. He was from Kentucky,
and died at Wellsville in 1858. He was twice married and left two
families of children. His first wife left three children at her death —
the subject of this sketch, Robert, an attorney at this place, and Mary,
now married. William H. was born in this county February 22,
1848, and as he grew up received a good common school and academic
education. In 1868 he engaged in merchandising at Wellsville in
association with a partner, and has continued in business at this place
ever since. For the last four years he has carried on business alone.
He has been satisfactorily successful and has built up a large trade.
Mr. Shackelford is quite popular as a business man, and as a citizen is
public-spirited in all enterprises calculated to promote the general in¬
terests of Wellsville and the community. In the fall of 1870 he was
married to Miss Adelia, a daughter of William and Sarah M’Cav, of
this county. Mr. and Mrs. S. have four children — a son and three
daughters. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he is
a member of the Masonic order.

McCUNE SHANNON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Welisville).

Every one who knows anything about Pike county knows that the
Shannons, Biggses and McCunes are among the oldest and best families
of that county. Mr. Shannon, the subject of this sketch, is by descent
and kindred a representative of those families, and of several other
well known and prominent families in Pike county. His grandfather,
Wm. Shannon, settled in that county with his family from Kentucky
in the pioneer days of the county, and when Mr. Shannon’s father,
John E. Shannon, was yet in infancy. He grew up there and was

944

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

married to Miss Margaret B. Biggs, of another old and highly respected
family, and of this union McCune Shannon was born January 10,
1856. His father is one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of
Pike county, and young Shannon was brought up to these occupations.
He received a good common and high-school education, and on the
8th of February, 1877, was married to Miss Maggie B., a daughter of
William Reading, of Curryville, an early settler of Pike county. In
a few weeks after his marriage Mr. Shannon located on the land where
he now resides in Montgomery county, about two and a half miles
north of Wellsville. He has a place of 360 acres and has it well im¬
proved. He is engaged in stock-raising, and is making a specialty of
breeding the Norman stock of. horses, and has a fine representative of
that breed on his place. He also feeds cattle for the wholesale
markets and is engaged in raising sheep as a special industry, which
he has found quite profitable. Mr. S. is a member of the Baptist
Church. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church.

ASA E. SHIPHERD

(Physician and Surgeon and Farmer and Stock-raiser, Wellsville).

Dr. Shipherd, a man of excellent academic education before he be¬
gan the study of medicine, graduated with distinction at the Cleveland,
O., Medical College in the class of 1845, and for the last 29 years has
been more or less actively engaged in the practice of his profession.
He is now principally interested in farming, and has a handsome
place of 640 acres about a mile from Wellsville where he resides and
superintends his farm. By nativity Dr. Shipherd is a Ohioan, born
in Cuyahoga county, May 21, 1821, and he was reared in that county.
His father, Henry Shipherd, a soldier in the War of 1812, was from
Vermont, but his mother, who was a Miss Cynthia Jones before her
marriage, was from Connecticut. She died when the Doctor was in
infancy, and he was reared by his uncle, Dr. David S. Shipherd, a
prominent physician of Cuyahoga county. He attended the common
schools until he was 18 years of age, and then took a course of three
years in the Kirtland Academy. At the age of 20 he began teaching
and continued it for some four years, also reading medicine at the
same time under his uncle. In 1842-43 he took a course in the
Willoughby Medical College, of Ohio, and completed his medical edu¬
cation at the Cleveland Medical College. Dr. Shipherd then removed
to 'Lake county, Ill., and afterwards located at Oswego, Kendall
county, where he practiced for about six years, his health completely
breaking down at the end of this time. Subsequently locating at
Freeport, Ill., he continued until 1864. In June of that year Dr.
Shipherd was appointed regimental surgeon of the One Hundred and
I orty-second Illinois volunteers, which position he held until after
the war. Returning to Freeport, he remained there until 1867, when
he came to Wellsville and engaged in the practice at that place. He
bought valuable tracts of land some years ago with a view of retiring,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

945

but still does some neighborhood practice. His farm is well improved.
In May, 1845, Dr. Shipherd was married to Miss Eliza Brown, then
a popular and accomplished school teacher in the public schools of
Paynesville, O. She is a lady of line intelligence and culture, and
although now advancing in years is highly entertaining and instruct¬
ive in conversation. Dr. and Mrs. Shipherd have reared three chil¬
dren and two others died in childhood. In 1861 Dr. Shipherd took
a supplementary course in the Rush Medical College of Chicago, and
also another partial course in 1865. The Doctor’s father died fn
Christian county, Ill., in 1883, having removed to that State in 1852,
and after an eight years’ residence in Stephenson county located in
Christian countv, where he died. He married twice and reared a
second family of children.

JAMES R. SHOCKLEE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Shocklee is well known to be one of the substantial and suc¬
cessful farmers and stock-raisers, as well as one of the worthy and
highly respected citizens of this township. His homestead contains
380 acres of fine land, all well improved, besides 40 acres of tributary
timber, about two and a half miles east of Wellsville. He is exten¬
sively and successfully engaged in raising grain and stock. Mr.
Shocklee is a native of Kentucky, born in Marion county, January 5,
1839. His father was James M. Shocklee, also a native of the Blue
Grass State ; and his mother was a Miss Nancy A. Lee, a daughter of
Samuel Lee, formerly of Virginia, and distantly related to Gen. R.
E. Lee. Mr. Shocklee’s parents came to Missouri in 1850, and after
three years’ residence in St. Charles county made their permanent
home in Lincoln county. James R., who was 14 years of age when
the family settled in Lincoln county, grew up there, but in 1861, at
the outbreak of the war, enlisted in the Confederate army. After the
fight at Fulton, in which he participated, he was taken prisoner and
required to take the oath of loyalty, after which he returned home
and took no further part in the war. He then soon bought a tract of
raw land in Montgomery county and began the improvement of a
farm — the place where he now resides. He first bought only 80
acres, but by industry and good management has added to his posses¬
sions until he now has nearly a section of fine land. January 27,
1861, Mr. Shocklee was married to Miss Mary A., a daughter of S.
W. Worland, an early settler of Montgomery county. She died,
however, April 5, 1879. Six of the family of children born of this
union are living: James W., Francis Lee, Charles B., Edward S.,
Joseph D. and Nancy E. February 9, 1880, Mr. Shocklee was mar
ried to Mi ss Margaret A., a daughter of William Jarbo, formerly of
Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. S. have two children : Mary A. and Will¬
iam A. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

946

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CHARLES SPITZHIRN

(Dealer in Pure Drugs, School Books, Stationery, Fine Cigars, Confectionery, Etc.,

Wellsville, Mo.').

In 1867, when Mr. Spitzhirn was yet in early boyhood, only about
eight years of age, his father, John Spitzhirn, emigrated from Baden,
in Germany, his native country, to the United States and located at
Chillieothe, O. While there his (John’s) wife and family, consisting
of a daughter and son (Charles), also came over, and upon leaving
Chillieothe they settled at Waverly, O., where the father was en¬
gaged in mercantile business until his death in 1879. Charles was
born on the Rhine, April 7, 1858, but was reared at Waverly, O. He
received a good common school education, and after attaining his
majority came to St. Louis, where he remained for a short time. He
then came to Wellsville in 1880, and clerked in a drug store for a few
months. After this he entered a drug store to learn pharmacy and
the drug business generally, and spent four years in the store. At
the expiration of this time, having economized his means, he bought
an established drug house at this place and began business on his own
account, which he has ever since continued. He has a neat store and
a first-class stock of good, pure drugs, and is doing an excellent
business. He has a high reputation among physicians in this branch
of the drug business, and his store is justly very popular with the
public generally. August 1, 1883, Mr. Spitzhirn was married to Miss
Mollie, a daughter of James Paxton (deceased), late of this county.
Mrs. S. is a member of the Baptist Church.

ENOCH M. STEERE,

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Like not a few of the worthy and substantial citizens of Montgom¬
ery county, the subject of the present sketch is a New Englander by
nativity and bringing up. He was born at Providence, R. I., August
28, 1825, and was a son of Anthony and Deborah (Wade) Steere,
both of old Rhode Island families. Mr. Steere’s graudfather, Oliver
Wade, was a fife-major in the American army during the War of
1812. Enoch M. Steere was reared at Providence, R. I., and received
a good common-school education. When about nineteen vears of age
he received an injury in the left leg which resulted in making him a
cripple for life. In 1845 he began to learn the machinist’s trade at
Burrillville, R. I., at which he worked for two years. He then learned
the sash, door and blind business in a factory at Burrillville, at which
he worked some five years. In 1854 he went to Tioga county, Penn¬
sylvania, where he carried on a factory in the above line until 1861.
Selling out in 1861, however, he was occupied with miscellaneous
business for nearly two years, when, in 1863, he enlisted in the Thir¬
ty-fifth Pennsylvania infantry, as a member of Co. G. This enlist¬
ment, however, was only for a short time, to resist tha rebel raid in

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 947

$ . 2^1
the State at that time. After this he was honorably discharged, and
he then bought a farm in Steuben county, N. Y., where he was en¬
gaged in farming for about three years. In 1868 he sold out in New
York and came to Missouri, buying the land where he now resides,
the following year. Mr. Steere has been engaged in farming ever
since coming to Montgomery county, sixteen years ago, and has been
satisfactorily successful. He has nearly 500 acres of fine land, 200
acres of which are in his homestead, and the balance in other farms..
On the 16th of May, 1849, Mr. Steere was married to Miss Abigail
Clark, a daughter of Eleazer Clark, formerly of Pennsylvania, and
an old soldier in the War of 1812. Also her grandfather Clark was a
Revolutionary soldier. This wife survived, however, only four years
after her marriage, leaving two children at her death — Charles, a
prominent lawyer of Boston, Mass., and Allen, a successful farmer of
Humboldt county, la. To his present wife Mr. Steere was married
March 14, 1858. She was a Miss Emily J. Burlingame, a daughter
of William Burlingame (deceased), of Rhode Island. Three chil¬
dren are the fruits of this union: William A., educated at the State
University of Missouri, where he took a three years’ course, and he
is now assisting to carry on the farm ; Abbie T., a young lady gradu¬
ate of Stephen College, Columbia; and Emma D., who has taken a
course of two and a half years at Stephen College, but has not yet
graduated. Mrs. S. and her three children are members of the Bap¬
tist Church, and Mr. S. is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. He
is now serving his tenth year as school director of his district, and has
at different times served on the grand and petit juries in Rhode Island,
Pennsylvania, New York and Missouri.

CAPT. HENRY R. STETSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Among the very many patriotic young men of the North who
bravely offered themselves as volunteers for the defense of the old
flag when the war broke out, was the subject of the present sketch,
who was then a young man early in his twenties. He came of a
sturdy old New England family on his father’s side — the Stetsons, of
Vermont; and on his mother’s side he was from the Ketchums, of
New York. He was born in Franklin county, New York, January 21,
1838, a son of Clement Stetson and wife, nee Susan Ketchum ; and
when fifteen years of age his parents removed to Winnebago county,
Wis. He had already taken a good course in the excellent
schools of Franklin county, N. Y., and after the removal of the
family to Wisconsin, he entered Milton College of Rock county, in
the latter State, where he continued a student for three years. After
graduating, he engaged in teaching, which he continued with increas¬
ing success and reputation until after the outbreak of the war. Then
he promptly enlisted in Co. E, Twenty-second Wisconsin infantry, and
served until peace was restored. He entered the army as a private, and by
meritorious conduct as a soldier, rose by successive promotions to the

948

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

command of his company, which he held at the time his command was
honorably mustered out of the service at the close of the war. He parti¬
cipated in the grand review at Washington City after the declaration
of peace in 1865. Capt. Stetson was with Sherman on the famous
march to the sea and in all the battles fought during that long and
perilous campaign. At Resaca he was severely wounded, and at
Brentwood the whole regiment of which he was a member, including
himself, was captured. An exchange was effected, however, about
thirty days afterwards, and he resumed his place in the army. After
the war he returned to Wisconsin and engaged in merchandising at
Milton. In 1869 Capt. Stetson removed to Missouri and engaged in
farming and teaching school in St. Charles county. Two years later
he removed to Warren county. In 1874 he came to Montgomery
county and bought a tract of sixty acres of land, a part of the place
where he now resides, and where he engaged in farming. Now he
has a good homestead containing 220 acres and the balance of almost
a quarter section is in a separate tract. On the 15th of July, 1862,
Capt. Stetson was married in Wisconsin to Miss Emma C. Robbins,
a daughter of Anthony Robbins formerly of New York. Mrs. Stet¬
son was a popular school teacher both before and after her marriage.
They have lost three children — two in infancy, and one, a daughter,
Miss Beulah, aged seventeen years, who died December 13, 1883.

WILLIAMJ STEWART

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Wm. Stewart was born in Ireland, February 8, 1830, but is of
English decent, and was a son of John Stewart and wife, nee Mary A.
McCalbey. When he was 17 years of age the family immigrated to
the United States and located at Warrensburg, N. Y., where the father
died soon afterwards. William completed his adolescence at War¬
rensburg, and in 1857 went to the vicinity of Grand Rapids, Mich.,
where he followed farming for about two years. While there, Nov¬
ember 7, 1857, he was married to Miss Francis A., a daughter of
Alex. Harper, also formerly of Ireland, but of English descent. In the
fall of 1859, Mr. S. removed to St. Louis countv and engaged in farm-
ing. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted under Admiral Porter in the
gunboat service, in which he continued until the close of the war.
He was in nearly ail the important engagements on the lower Missis¬
sippi and its navigable tributaries, including the siege of Vicksburg,
the battles of Corinth, Arkansas Post, Ft. Donelson, Ft. Henry,
Island No. 10, Alexander and others. He was taken sick at Arkansas
Post and disabled three weeks, and, indeed, has never fully recovered
from this disability. His wife was employed in the quartermaster’s
department, at St. Louis while he was absent in the naval service.
After the war he was on the police force of St. Louis for about two
years and then for two years was a street car conductor. In 1869 he
removed to Aurora, Ill., and bought property and worked in the C.,
B. & Q. railway shops, where he continued for about six years. He

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

949

then removed to Montgomery county and settled where he now re¬
sides. He had bought his land here in 1861, a tract of 175 acres,
where he has improved his farm. Mr. S. has a good place and is an
energetic farmer. He and wife have one child : Florence, aged nine
years. They are members of the Congregational Church, and he is a
member of the Masonic order at Wellsville.

JACOB L. SWOPE

(Fanner and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Swope is of an old Pennsylvania German family, the founder of
the family in this country having settled in the Keystone State from
the old Fatherland prior to the American Revolution. As early as
1801 Mr. Swope’s grandfather removed from Pennsylvania with his
family and settled in Fairfield county, Ohio, where Thomas Swope,
the father of the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood. About
the time of attaining his majority Thomas Swope was married to Miss
Rebecca L. Le Fevre, also formerly of Pennsylvania, and of the same
family of which Hon. Benjamin Le Fevre, member of Congress from
Ohio, is a representative. Thomas Swope commenced life for him¬
self a poor man, indeed, but succeeded in becoming a wealthy farmer.
He was a large landholder in Ohio, and owned valuable real
estate in other States. He entered land in Montgomery county in an
early day, which included the tract on which Jacob L. now resides.
He died at his homestead in Ohio, August 13, 1884, at the advanced
age of 85. He and his good wife left a family of 10 children, five
sons and the same number of daughters. Jacob L. Swope was born
on the family homestead in Ohio, July 1, 1831, and grew to manhood
in his native county. In 1852, at the age of 22, he came further
West to Illinois on a prospecting tour, but shortly returned home to
Ohio. In 1854 he came to Missouri and bought the land of his father
which the latter had previously entered at an early day. He has
nearly 700 acres of fine land, all in one body and improved, which is
his homestead, and besides this he has another place a few miles dis¬
tant. During the war Mr. Swope served in the Union army the first
year until the close of that long and unhappy struggle. He was first
under Gen. Henderson and then under Gen. Guitar, and participated
in all the engagements in which his commands took part. After the
war he returned home and resumed farming, which he has since fol¬
lowed with good success. April 4, 1858, he was married to Miss
Lucinda Sturgeon, a daughter of William A. and Margaret (Wolfley)
Sturgeon, formerly of Marion county, Ohio. Mrs. S. is a member of
the Missionary Baptist Church.

WILLIAM R. WAKELY

(Retired Farmer and Business Man, Wellsville).

Mr. Wakely has had an active career in industrial and business affairs,
extending together over a period of nearly fifty years, and one that

950

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

has been rewarded with satisfactory and ample success. He was
born in Washington county, N. Y., August 9, 1817. The Wakely
family came originally from Massachusetts, and Mr. Wakely’s grand¬
parents removed to New York while his father, Robert Wakely, was
yet in his childhood. His father was reared in the latter State, and
served as a volunteer from New York in the War of 1812. Mr.
Wakely’s mother was of an old family in the Empire State. His
parents owned a farm in Washington county and were in comfortable
circumstances. William R. was given a good common-school educa¬
tion, and at the age of 22 engaged in mercantile business at Kirksville,
N. Y. About 10 years later he sold out and entered largely into the
canal transportation business, bought nearly 20 canal boats, and for
four years was heavily engaged in this line of business. In 1853 Mr.
Wakely resumed merchandising, and continued it with success at
Kirksville until his removal to Missouri in 1858. Here he bought
land about three miles north of Wellsville and improved a farm, where
he engaged in farming, and later along in dealing in and shipping
stock. He continued on his farm for some 10 years, when he sold it
and removed to Wellsville. Here he formed a partnership withBenj.
Sharp in the grain business and built an elevator, doing for several
years a large grain business. He and O. H. Wise, now deceased, also
established a drug store, which they carried on for about three years.
Mr. W. retired from the grain business in 1874. In 1876 he removed
to California, locating at San Jose, where he remained for about six
years operating in real estate and loaning money. But in 1882 he
returned to Wellsville with the view of making it his permanent home.
Here he has a handsome residence property, and is living in retire¬
ment from business pursuits. Mr. Wakely was married at Syracuse,
N. Y., to Miss Halvania M. Peck some 30 odd years ago. She is a
daughter of Myron B. Peck, of Syracuse, and was reared and educated
in that city. Mr. and Mrs. W. have reared two children, but one of
whom is now living — Mary, a young lady still at home with her
parents. The other, Tone, died at the age of 17, in 1871. Mr. W.
is a prominent member of the Masonic order.

MARSHALL WASHINGTON

(Dealer in and Shipper of Live-stock, Post-office, Wellsville).

For years Mr. Washington has been known aud recognized as one
of the leading stock traders throughout the north-western part of
Montgomery county, and the neighboring parts of Callaway and
Audrain counties, and there is probably no better judge of stock than
he in the country. He does a large business, and his standing as a
' buyer is most excellent as his principle is to succeed in business by
legitimate trade only. Mr. Washington comes of a family that stands
second to none in this country, or in history. He represents a branch
of the same family from which Gen. Washington, “The Father of
His Country,” sprang. Mr. W.’s grandfather, Edward Washington,
was a first cousin to Gen. Washington, the last two being the sons of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

951

brothers. The Washington family, even before the Revolution, as
every one knows, was one of the best families of Virginia — people of
high character, superior culture and large wealth. So Mr. Washing¬
ton’s grandfather was a man of large intelligence and abundant
means; and from him Mr. W.’s father, Edward S. Washington, in¬
herited considerable property. The latter, after his marriage in Vir¬
ginia, Miss Annie E. Elsea having become his wife, removed to
Kentucky, where he bought a farm and resided, extensively engaged
in farming, until 1849. He owned about 50 slaves and other large
property interests. From Kentucky he removed to Missouri and set¬
tled in Callaway county. There he bought large tracts of land and
improved an extensive farm. His place contained about 1,000 acres,
which was devoted mainly to the stock business. His wife died in
1864, and some years after that he discontinued housekeeping, and
for some time past has made his home with his son, A. O. Wash¬
ington, of Callaway county. Marshall Washington was born while
his parents were residents of Kentucky, in Fayette county, May 10,
1839. He was principally reared, however, in Callaway county, Mo.,
and was educated at Central College, in Fayette, Mo. In 1859 he
went to Pike’s Peak, but returned in about eight months on account
of ill-health. In 1861 he enlisted in the Southern service under Col.
Riggins, in Harris’s brigade, and afterwards took part in the battle of
Lexington, going thence South with his command. Later along he
returned home on furlough, but was soon taken prisoner. His health
failing again, he was released on a $10,000 bond. Some time
after Mr. Washington engaged in the stock business, and has ever
since followed it. He removed to Wellsville in 1879, but had pre¬
viously bought stock in this vicinity and shipped from here for a
number of years. In the fall of 1873 Mr. W. was married to Miss
Jennie Olfutt, a daughter of ’Squire Eli Offutt, an early settler of
Callaway county, from Virginia. She, however, was an invalid at
the time of her marriage and survived only a year afterwards. Sep¬
tember 10, 1879, Mr. Washington was married to his present wife,
formerly Miss Lizzie Arnold, a daughter of William Arnold, of Wells¬
ville. Mrs. W. is an accomplished lady, and quite pleasant and en¬
gaging in conversation. She was educated at the Danville High
School, at Kansas City, and at the Convent in St. Charles. Mr. and
Mrs. W. have one child, Marshall, Jr. An infant daughter, Jennie,
is deceased. Mrs. W. is a member of the M. E. Church South, and
Mr. Washington belongs to the A. O. U. W.

CHASTAIN W. WHITE

(Of Blattner & White, Dealers in and Shippers of Grain and Stock, Wellsville).

Mr. White, who is one of the prominent young business men of
the north-western part of the county, a member of one of the leading
grain and stock firms on the line of theWabash in this section of the State,
is a Virginian, or was until he came to Missouri in 1871. He was born
in King George county, June 24, 1854, and was a son of John W.

952

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

White, of that county, who was an officer in the Confederate army
during the war, and was twice wounded, once being shot through the
body, at Gettysburg. He is still a resident of King George county.
Chastain W. was reared to the age of 17 in that county, and received
a good common and high-scliool education. In 1871 he came to Mis-
souri, and resided in St. Charles county, on a farm, principally, for
three years, or until he was 20 years of age. He then crossed over
in Warren county, where he lived for six years, during three years of
which he was farming and the rest of the time merchandising. By
this time he had made a good start, and in 1880 he sold out in War¬
ren county and came to Wellsville, forming his present partnership
with Mr. Blattner. They built a business house and engaged in mer¬
chandising, and followed it with success for four years. Meanwhile
they had also engaged in the grain and stock business, and last spring
they disposed of their store in order to give their whole time and at¬
tention to grain and stock. In 1880 they bought an elevator at this
place, and have since been shipping grain in large quantities. This
is Mr. Blattner* s special branch of business. Messrs. Blattner &
White handle about $300,000 worth of grain and stock annually,
$160,000 of the former and $140,000 of ^the latter. November 22,
1883, Mr. White was married to Miss Addie Cottle, a daughter of Ora
Cottle, Esq., a retired farmer residing in Wellsville.

ANDREW WICKLEIN

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Wicklein is a native of Germany, born August 6, 1828. When
he was 10 years of age, in 1838, his parents, Henry and Margaret
(Longhein) Wicklein, immigrated to America and settled in Randolph
county, Ill., where Andrew grew to manhood. October 15, 1861, he
was married to Miss Caroline Stein, also formerly of Germany. After
his marriage Mr. Wicklein settled on a farm in Randolph county, Ill.,
where he was engaged in farming until 1882, when he sold his place
in that county and removed to Montgomery county, Mo., buying his
present place, situated about a mile from Wellsville. Here he has
continued to reside. His farm contains 200 acres, and he has 40
acres of good timber tributary to his place. He also has a neat farm
of 80 acres two miles north of Wellsville. Mr. and Mrs. W. have
five children, namely: Emily, who is now the wife of Charles Lohr-
ing; Caroline, now the wife of Charle Huth ; Louise, now the wife of
Charles Stock ; and Henry and Hermann. Mr. and Mrs. W. are
members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Wicklein is a man of untiring
industry, frugal habits and sterling character, and has made all he
possesses by his own exertions and personal worth.

CAPT. WILLIAM A. WOODS

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Capt. Woods, a substantial farmer of this township and well known
among the Democrats of Montgomery county as one of their most ac-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

953

tive and valued party workers, was a young man when the California
gold excitement broke out about the close of 1848, and was very
naturally drawn into the current of emigration westward to the Pacific
coast. He and a large number of others in Lincoln county, this
State, organized a company to cross the plains and engage in min¬
ing in California, he being made captain of the company, whence
comes his proenomen , as given above. He was absent in California
about a year and returned by \Yay of JSiew Orleans and Panama.
November 12, 1857, he was married to Miss Taresa Sanford, a
daughter of Calisthenes E. Sanford, of Lincoln county, but for¬
merly of Kentucky. The same year of his marriage he came to
Montgomery county and bought the land where he now resides, on
which he improved his present farm. He has a good place of over
160 acres, and is comfortably situated. Capt. Woods takes an active
interest in local politics and is almost invariably a delegate to differ¬
ent conventions held in his township and county. For himself he
has never sought for any office of prominence, but has held various
local positions, such as road overseer, school director, etc. The
Captain and Mrs. Woods have nine children: Alexander, Mary H.,
wife of Charles Bassard ; Bettie, Sanford C., Sallie, John, George,
Samuel and Mattie. The Captain and his wife and two daughters are
members of the Christian Church and he has been a member of the
Masonic order for nearly 35 years. He was born in Augusta
county, Ya., November 25, 1825, and Avas a son of Alexander and
Hannah (Thompson) Woods, his father originally from Ireland, but
his mother from Scotland. In 1829 they removed to Kentucky and
settled in Fayette county, where both parents lived until their
death. William A. Woods came to Missouri in 1840, being then
a youth only 15 years of age. He came out with some friends
and located in Lincoln county, where he lived, barring the time
he went to California, until his removal to Montgomery county in
1857.

WARREN COUNTY, MO.

HISTORY

WARREN COUNTY, MISSOURI.

CHAPTER I.

The duties of the writer who compiles historical facts and whose work,
in its completeness, must be subjected to the varying criticisms of
people living in his own age, and who are conversant with and inter¬
ested in the facts which he presents, are indeed of a difficult nature.
Three great attributes are imperatively demanded of him who under¬
takes such a task. He must be truthful in his statements, accurate as
to data and as terse as intelligent and lucid description or explanation
will permit. A vivid imagination can not be relied upon, or even per¬
mitted to assist in literary work of this character, neither can a pro¬
pensity for fine descriptive writing be indulged. In this review of the
events that make up the history of Warren county, no efforts will be
made to clothe the narrative in the beautiful and enchanting language
of an Irving, or the ponderous and elegant paragraphs of a McCaul-
ley. The publishers assume, that, when they have given to their
readers the result of their researches, and placed before them the chief
events that constitute the past history of the county, they have per¬
formed the full measure of their duty.

The lapse of time, the advance of civilization, the wonderful scien¬
tific discoveries, that within the past 40 years have added so much to
the comfort and pleasure of the world, have had the effect to make
life so roseate with the hue of an easy-going and tranquil existence,

(955)

956

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

that the privations, hardships and dangers of the pioneer settlers are
overlooked, undervalued and forgotten.

Eighty-three years have elapsed since the first intrepid and adven¬
turous settlers discovered the boundless advantages in soil and climate,
and the geographical beauties of the country, now so richly blessed
with all that creates peace, plenty and prosperity. At that time this
region was the home of the predatory savage, and life to the settler
was a constant struggle to protect his property, maintain a home,
and rear the children, who became the bone and sinew of a happy
and contented community, and whose descendants to-day enjoy the
rewards which have followed these sacrifices.

The whole of North Missouri was, prior to the year 1818, two
years before the organization of the State Government, embraced
within the counties of St. Charles and Howard, but new counties
were rapidly organized. In 1818 Montgomery county was set off
from the county of St. Charles, and it embraced previous to the year
1833, all the territory now constituting Warren county. In January,
1833, the Legislature, with due formality, declared a portion of Mont¬
gomery county fully designated by metes and bounds, “to be a sep¬
arate and distinct county, to be known and called Warren county, in
honor of Gen. Joseph Warren, who fell at the battle of Bunker Hill.”
Jacob Groom, of Montgomery county ; Felix Scott, of St. Charles
county, and Jessie McDaniel, of Franklin county, were appointed
commissioners for the purpose of selecting a seat of justice for the
new county.

The first white settlement on what is now the soil of Warren county
was made by French trappers and traders at the old Charrette vil¬
lage, which settlement is said to have been made about the time M.
Liguest settled St. Louis, in 1763.

The exact location of this early settlement is now a matter of con¬
jecture, although the mouth of Charrette creek is generally admitted
to have been the place selected by the adventurous Frenchmen for
their home. Their rude log cabins were erected immediately on the
banks of the Missouri river, whose ever-changing and treacherous
current long since washed awa}^ all trace of the locality. At this
time the hills and valleys of Warren county were an unbroken waste
of wild wooded timber, and the Frenchmen established sugar camps
along the Charrette and Teuque creeks, and in after years relicts of
their annual visits were often found by settlers.

These pioneers were originally sent to this country in the employ
of the American Fur Company, but all personal reference as to who

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

957

they were has been lost. It is claimed, however, by several old resi¬
dents of the county, that a famous trapper called Indian Phillips, who
was well known as late as 1810, was one of the settlers at Charrette.
Phillips lived until after the War of 1812, and up to the time of his
death used to make occasional visits to the homes of the early American
settlers. A man named Choteroau, (Chouteau?), and another called
Lozio, were also known as members of this colony of trappers. These
three men each secured Spanish grants for large tracts of land, now lo¬
cated partly in St. Charles and Warren counties, and disposing of their
interests about the year 1812, left the country. Flanders Callaway, the
son-in-law of Col. Daniel Boone, was the purchaser, and on one of
these tracts, located about a mile and a half west of Marthasville, Mr.
Callaway died. Generations have passed since the village was en¬
gulfed in the waters of the Missouri, the records of its organization, the
names of its inhabitants and the stories of their trials and privations
have become mere legends, yet there can be no question that to these
hardy Frenchmen belong the honor of having first discovered and
located what has since become a populous and thrifty portion of the
State. In no section of Missouri can be found a greater number of
beautiful and romantic localities than are to be seen in the valleys of
the Femme Osage and Charrette creeks. Nature has certainly been
lavish in giving to the rocky gorges and towering hills the wildest
aspect of romance. In the days of the early French settlers these
creeks and their tributaries were the favorite hunting: ground of the
colony, and their appropriate names were given to the localities
by these early residents who ranged through the forests in quest of
game and furs. It was this wild and seclusive country that attracted
the attention of Daniel Boone, and it was in the valley of one of these
creeks that he quietly and peacefully breathed his last.

It was not until about the year 1795 that stories of the marvelous

attention in the Eastern States. The wonderful stories told bv Lewis

and Clark, who made a flat-boat journey down the river in 1804, were
looked upon as the glowing creations of a vivid imagination, but the
early French settlers, in their trips to the then frontier post of St.
Louis, not only corroborated these reports, but were so enthusiastic
in their praise of the country as a veritable paradise for the hunter,
that adventurous backwoodsmen from Kentucky and Virginia began the
immigration that a few }^ears after resulted in bringing into what is
now Warren county a colony of men, who, despite the dangers and
hardships which are a natural consequence of frontier existence, have

958

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

left the indelible impress of their rugged and independent characters
upon the present generation.

In 1795 the renowned Kentucky hunter and backwoodsman, Col.
Daniel Boone, accompanied by his son-in-law, Flanders Callaway,
came into the country and established a settlement called Callaway
Post, at a point near the present town of Marthasville. This was the
first American colony to reach the wilds of what is now Warren
county. The fame of Col. Boone, his knowledge of Indian charac¬
ter and his fearless and daring manner of repulsing the warlike ene¬
mies of the white settlers, at once attracted further immigration, and
additional families began to seek homes among the hills that skirted

O O

the Missouri, where Boone and his companions had already entrenched
themselves.

In 1803 Anthony Wyatt made his first horseback trip from Ken¬
tucky. He located the present Wyatt homestead, near Marthasville,
and in order to secure it was compelled to return from Kentucky
every season for five successive years, until in 1808, he moved to his
new home. He returned to Kentucky again, however, was married
in 1816, and brought his wife and family effects to his new home on
pack horses.

On the first day of January, 1808, Thomas Kennedy, who had
served throughout the Revolutionary War as a soldier in the Seventh
Virginia regiment, crossed the Mississippi river where Alton, III., is
located, and pushed forward to the wilds of Warren county, to which
locality he had been attracted by the wonderful tales of settlers who
had gone as far west as St. Louis, and returned to the eastern part of
the country. Maj. Kennedy escaped from his regiment soon after the
battle of Briar Hill, the regiment, through the base treachery of its
commander, having been surrendered to the British. He was a rigid,
resolute man, possessing all the traits of character that constitute the
genuine frontiersman, and in addition to these qualifications, he was
also generously endowed with practical good sense. His varied expe¬
riences at once made him a valuable acquisition to the small group of
adventurous settlers, and in consequence he immediately took a lead¬
ing and active part in all their plans for the safety and welfare of the
people.

In the spring of 1811 the Indians had become quite hostile. Rumors
of contemplated raids by the dusky sons of the forest impelled the
settlers to provide adequate defense in case of attack, and in that year
a fort and stockade was erected on the Kenned v clearing. This fort
remained standing for four years, or until after the War of 1812, when

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

959

it was torn down. It stood exactly where Judge Royal J. Kennedy’s
present residence is located, on the State road, about one and a half
miles south-east of Wright City. At this time there were living in
the immediate vicinity of Kennedy’s stockade, the following persons,
all of whom had come into that section previous to 1810, and who
also assisted in erecting the fort : Samuel Gibson, a South Carolinian ;
Daniel McCoy and David Boyd, Kentuckians, and Anthony Keller, a
Pennsylvania Dutchman.

During the year 1810, quite a number of additional settlers came
into the country. On Indian Camp creek, Nathan Cleaver erected his
pioneer cabin on the farm since owned by William T. Carter ; and
James Dickson settled on the same stream, on the Robert Pendleton
place.

In 1811 Lawrence Sitton settled on the place afterwards known as
the Nimrod Darrell farm. Hugh Liles and Joshua James settled on
Peruque creek, above Kennedy’s Post, and J®hn Shrum made his
house on Indian creek, at the place since known as the home of Sam¬
uel Williams.

At the beginning of the year 1812 the number of white settlers had
grown quite extensively. There were many new families scattered
about the several posts, among whom may be mentioned Benjamin
Cooperand family, who, however, had previously settled in 1807, on
Hancock’s Bottom, and who subsequently removed to the vicinity of
South Island.

Henry and David Bryan located on Teuque creek, near Marthasville.
The Bryans were men of character, and reared large families, several
descendants of whom are now living in the county. William T.
Lamme, whose wife was a daughter of Col. Flanders Callaway and a
grand-daughter of Daniel Boone, settled on the same creek, lower
down the stream, and had descendants who lived for many years in
that vicinity. William and Benjamin Hancock settled in the neigh¬
borhood of Marthasville, in what is now known as Hancock’s Bottom.
William Logan settled on Teuque creek, just above the Bryan settle¬
ment, where he continued to reside for many years, and reared a large
family. He afterwards removed to Teuque Prairie, where his widow
yet resides. His brothers, Hugh, Alexander and Henry Logan,
settled a year or two later west of the present site of Marthasville.
Jonathan Bryan settled near Femme Osage, in St. Charles county.
Absalom Hayes, John Wyatt, William Johnson, Jonathan Davis,
William Thurman, and several others settled in the south-eastern por¬
tion of the countv, about the close of the War of 1812.

960

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

About this date the settlers began to think of organization. The
posts were gradually filling up with enterprising people, who soon
foresaw the necessity of such action. This matter was discussed for
three or four years, the result being that in 1818 the town of Pinck¬
ney, on the Missouri river, became the county seat of Montgomery
county. Primitive and unpretentious public buildings were erected,
and the ambitious little village started fairly upon what indicated a
career of great promise. At the end of six years, however, the
population had so rapidly increased that a more central location was
demanded, and the seat of justice was removed to Lewiston, in
1824.

Previous to this time, however, the intrepid emigrants had pene¬
trated still further into the wilderness, and a settlement had been
made at Loutre Island as early as the "year 1818. Col. Ben Cooper,
who wsls afterward conspicuous in the settlement and organization
of Howard county, resided at this point. He moved away in 1820.
The family of Irvine Pittman and two families by the name of Talbot
remained at Loutre Island and formed the nucleus of what afterward
became a flourishing colony. Quite a number of the descendants of
the families are yet residing in Montgomery county.

The first church society ever organized in this region was effected by
the Baptists. Meetings were held in the house of Flanders Callaway,
the society being known as Friendship Church.

During the stormy and eventful period of the War of 1812, although
far removed from the active scene of operations, the sparsely settled
country along the Missouri river did not escape the ravages of war.
The posts were constantly harassed by marauding bands of Indians,
and serious losses resulted from their raids upon the live stock and
other property of the settlers. Among those who had made their
homes on theCharrette and in that vicinity, including the Boone family
and the scattering homesteads near Marthasville, were men who
thoroughly understood the methods of Indian warfare. Being brave,
watchful and always ready to meet and repulse the enemy when at¬
tacked, the Indians learned to respect and fear the gallant band led by
Col. Boone, whose reputation had preceded him from the wilds of
Kentucky.

Following the close of hostilities, the settlers for a period of about
three years enjoyed comparative immunity from their former enemies,
and while ever watchful, a feeling of fancied securitv began to assert

V _ . AS V _ '

itself. From this dream of a peaceful and quiet existence they
were rudely awakened in May, 1818, when there occurred an event

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

961

that brought death and sorrow to the colonists, and opened afresh
the animosities that had for a time remained dormant.

Some time previous to the opening of 1818 three brothers by
the name of Ramsey had settled in the vicinity of Callaway’s Fort.

Robert Ramsey built his cabin on the outskirts of the settlement,
and, as he supposed, within easy call should he require the assistance
of his neighbors in time of danger. On a bright morning in May,
while the family were attending to their customary home duties,
they were surprised by a party of Indians, who at once opened a
murderous fire upon the defenseless family. In attempting to gain
the friendly shelter of the cabin home, three of the children were
killed and scalped, Mrs. Ramsey was mortally wounded, and Ram¬
sey himself received one or more serious wounds at the hands of
the attacking party. There remained the boys of the family who
made their way to the house of their uncle, William Ramsey, who
lived on the premises, afterwards the home of ex-Sheriff Howard,
where they made known the horrible details of the attack. The heavy
firing had heen heard by the settlers, who became alarmed, and at
once joined in an organized pursuit of the Indians. Volunteers came
from the neighboring forts at Callaway’s, Kennedy’s and Loutre Lick,
and several desperate engagements were had between the settlers and
the destroyers of the Ramsey family. In one of the skirmishes Capt.
James Callaway, of Callaway’s Fort, in honor of whom Callaway county
was named, was, with several of his companions, captured by the red¬
skins, and the entire party were afterwards horribly tortured and put
to death near the fort on Loutre Lick. [See former account.]

This disastrous and distressing incident occurred two years pre¬
vious to the adoption of a State government, which event took place
in 1820. Immigration had been very rapid. The curling smoke
arising from the primitive chimneys of the settlers’ cabins could be
seen upon all sides, and many of these pioneer residences are yet to
be readily found in the vicinity of all the posts on the Missouri river
and the various clear and beautiful creeks that empty into that turbid
stream.

The history of any country is incomplete without reference to the
established or main highways, over which the transportation of the
country is carried on. The famed Southern turnpikes, the popular
road from which travelers never turn without regret, had its counter-
part in what became known as the Boone’s Lick road, a portion of
which is the main street of Warrenton. Over this highway, which
was the main artery of travel, came the lumbering and veritable

962

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

“slow coach,” with its old-fashioned mail pouch, to allay the ex¬
pectancy of the waiting pioneers. Those were the days when to be
proprietor of a roadside inn was to be honored indeed. The old-
fashioned fire-place, heaped up with crackling and cheery logs — the
bar, behind which was dispensed a quality of beverages long since out
of date — the genial face of the landlord, and the unpretentious yet
wholesome surroundings of the tavern, made up a grand ensemble, the
like of which is rapidly disappearing before the onward and resistless
march of steam transportation.

In these early days within the borders of Warren county, Capt.
Roger Taylor kept tavern on the Boone’s Lick and was renowned as a
genial, social landlord. His house was in 1816 the home of Thomas
Oden. A trip over the Boone’s Lick road in those days meant long
drives, slow time, many discomforts, but a hearty welcome when the
autocrat of the countrv inn stood in his door, and with beaming
countenance invited the belated traveler to enter and partake of the
venison steak and wild turkey roasts, that could then be secured in
great plenty.

PHYSICAL AND GEOLOGICAL FEATURES.

Included in the area of Warren county are 396 square miles. In
the early times, before the settlers began to clear away the timber,
seven-tenths of the county consisted of heavily wooded land, but the
space now clear and under cultivation comprises about one-half the
total area.

In the southern section of the county, bordering on the Missouri
river, are thousands of acres of rich bottom land, and here1 are located
the best paying and most valuable farms, although in the valleys
of the various creeks that flow through the county there are also
many small but productive farms. The northern part of the county
contains more open land than any other section, which fact is the re¬
sult of the settler’s ax.

Walnut, white oak and other valuable timber abounds, although
Eastern buyers have for years been purchasing all that was marketa¬
ble.

The principal streams are the Charrette which flows in a southerly
direction, emptying into the Missouri river near Marthasville. The
“ Dry fork ” of Charrette creek has its source in Elkhorn township.
There are also Camp Branch and Indian Camp creek, both in the
northern part of the county ; Peruque creek, Smith’s, Teuque and Lost
creeks are streams that generally supply abundance of water.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

963

From a lecture delivered by Prof. John H. Frick, of the Central
Wesleyan College at Warrenton, we extract the following regarding
the physical and geological character of the territory comprising the
county. Keferring to the Trenton lime stone found on Lost creek in
Pinckney township, the Professor said :

Perhaps the most interesting of these beds is the saccharoidal
sandstone.

Its total thickness in the county is estimated to be about 130 feet ;
on Teuque creek it is 127 feet thick. Wherever it is well developed
it affords charming scenery, rising in perpendicular cliffs, with here
and there a green cedar, and covered with mosses, lichens and ferns
which hang down from above in rich green festoons. Some places
on Charrette the cedars are so numerous and the scenery so picturesque
as to remind one of mountain scenery. Many of the landscapes on
these creeks, with their scalloped hills and bluffs, covered with the
tints of a rich autumn foliage, deserve to be put upon canvas by the
skillful hands of some of our landscape painters. But to return to
the sandstone. At the top it is usually white, with thin streaks of
green, fine grained and quite soft. Lower down we find it brown,
sometimes interstratified with white and brown, sometimes tinted with
pink. When examined with a lens, we find that it consists of fine
grains of quartz, loosely cemented together, resembling a mass of
roundish, smooth, shining little pearls. That containing iron is vari¬
ously colored, and more firmly cemented together.

In some places it has a seam of black which probably contains
black oxide of manganese. Springs are often found at its base, and
on Lost creek, under an overhanging ledge saltpetre is found.
Caves are also found in the lower part. Not far from Hopewell, on
Dry fork of Charrette, there is quite a large one.

Two miles north of Marthasville there is a somewhat peculiar cave,
called the “Devil’s Boot.” Its entrance from the top of the ground
is about twenty-five feet across, nearly circular, and about thirty feet
deep. This is the leg of the boot. Considerable debris has accumu¬
lated in the “ heel,” where myself and class two weeks ago found flow¬
ers and ferns growing in rich luxuriance. A large chamber extends to-
wards the northeast for about 150 feet, about eight feet high in the middle
at the entrance, or at what we might call the instep, and increasing
in width and height to the further end where it is about twenty-five
feet high and sixtv feet wide.

C / %/

On Lost creek, in a sort of side canon, called the “ Devil’s Den
Hollow,” we find a sort of columnar structure, near the top. These
columns are from one to four feet long, perpendicular to the strata,
and are from four inches to more than a foot in thickness. To what
cause these columns owe their origin we are as yet unable to say,
but shall try to ascertain by future investigations.

The true coal measures in this county are of quite limited extent.
There is a small area in the neighborhood of Pendleton. A six inch
vein of coal was found by digging a well forty-five feet deep. The

964

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

water reached was so strongly impregnated with sulphur that it was
unfit for use. There are several other small areas containing coal in
this county. One in the neighborhood of Lipstadt, another five or
six miles north-east of Warrenton, on Big creek, called the “ Hines
Bank,” and in the northern part of the county Mr. F. H. Drunert
has a coal mine. At the Hines Bank the coal is said to be about 23
feet thick, six feet being left in the bottom on account of trouble in
draining, ten feet being worked out, and seven feet left overhead to
support the clay and gravel above, some of which has caved in. The
coal is very much disturbed, pitching at all angles and in all direct¬
ions. It is contained in a depression in the encrinital limestone, one
hundred feet wide along the Hickory branch, which runs into Big
creek. According to an analysis made by Mr. Chauvenet, this coal
contains 7.44 per cent of sulphur and iron, and 45.75 per cent of
fixed carbon, the remainder being ash, volatile matter and water.
This bank has been worked, I have been told, for a good many years,
and considerable quantities have been taken out for the supply of the
neighborhood. The last time I was there one man was mining and
the coal was drawn up an inclined track by a single mule.

Mr. Drunert’ s coal bank is a short distance west of his house on
Rocky branch. The coal is found under a bed of steatite or soap¬
stone, and has slate or jet-coal at the bottom. It, like the other de¬
posit, is in a depression of the encrinital limestone, and is, therefore,
of limited extent. Other small deposits occur near the heads of small
branches running into Big creek. In the Pendleton area on the head
of Lost creek, some valuable beds of clay are found. The clays are
drab, blue and purple, and one of the beds has been leased by Dix¬
on & Young, a St. Louis firm, for ten years. They are mining it and
shipping it to St. Louis to be used in the arts. It is said to make excellent
fire bricks and glass pots. The blue is said to be good pottery clay.
There is a similar bed on a ravine of Camp creek. It occupies a val¬
ley in the encrinital limestone about 100 feet wide. There is also
another bed of clay of purple and buff color, on the head of Smith’s
creek, which may yet prove to be valuabe in the economical arts.

There are several stone quarries along the Charrette valley,
and in other portions of the county adjacent to the Missouri river.
With the completion of a railway along the north bank of that
stream, these stone beds could be readily utilized and become very
valuable.

CHAPTEB II.

PIONEER LIFE AND EARLY COURTS.

First Session of the County ancl Circuit Courts — The Proceedings — Temporary Seat

of Justice — Tilman Cullom — The First Sheriff — A Cowhide Fight.

As in every new and untried country, the early settlers of Warren
county took no pains to preserve or record facts that might be of his¬
torical value. In locating their homes, clearing off the timber, pro¬
viding shelter for their families and stock, they had no time to
consider that perhaps in the future their trials and privations and the
incidents of their every-day life might become matters of intense
interest to their descendants. With few exceptions, these early com¬
ers were poor, and extremely anxious to lift themselves out of a
position that had for its chief recommendation (if so it can be
termed) the most laborious toil, without the fullest recompense.

Living away from the bustle and strife of commerce, free from the
encroachments of pride, vanity and envy, and bounds in ties of the
closest sympathy with the few neighbors they had, their life was,
despite the hardships incident thereto, a very happy one. Every man
was put upon his honor, and his relations with his scattering neigh¬
bors were simply a test of genuine manhood.

It is difficult to realize a more perfect illustration of real genuine
harmony of ideas, than is presented in the daily relations of a pioneer
settlement. Without law, save the law of fair and upright conduct,
shut out from the world’s distractions and inconsistencies, these peo¬
ple were practically an isolated colony, where no man’s hand was
raised against his neighbor, but where, on the other hand, every effort
was made to protect the interest and foster the friendship of each
other. To lend a helping hand when required, to be ever ready to
assist in time of sickness or danger, was the creed of the early pio¬
neers, and to this broad and charitable doctrine the closest adherence
was loyally given.

THE OLD LOG CABIN.

In these days the abode of the settler was indeed of a primitive
character. The first to arrive were obliged to erect flimsy and un¬
reliable structures, out of poles and bark, very similar in looks to the

(965)

966

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Indian bark huts that preceded them. As assistance came, however,
in the natural order of things, the “ men folks ” assembled and erected
the log cabins that before many years could be found scattered
through the country. The days of the kitchen range were then far
beyond the dreams of even the most sanguine housewife, who was
content to do her boiling and roasting over the open fire of an old-
fashioned broad chimney, which also warmed and lighted the dark
recesses of the cabin. The furniture of the cabin was crude and un-
weildy, generally the work of the people themselves.

Formality in visiting was looked up as a positive sign of unfriend¬
liness, and neighbors and strangers always found the latch string
hanging out to welcome them to the hospitable cordiality of a race
of men and women who have, unhappily, been forced to abdicate before
the latter-day infringements of fashionable life and the rules of es¬
tablished etiquette. In after years the saw mills made it possible to
erect more shapely and comfortable residences, but the old log house
yet possesses a singular charm for the people who passed their youth
beneath the friendly shelter of its protecting roof.

It may be said with truth that the pioneers “ lived on the fat of the
the land.” A meal in one of these aboriginal homes carried with it
an assurance of plenty to eat, and a guarantee that the torments of
dyspepsia would not follow the indulgence of a hearty appetite. The
bone and muscle of a generation of rugged and sinewy men and women
have had its foundation, and their descendants of to-day may con¬
gratulate themselves upon the primitive yet sensible ideas of their
forefathers.

In those days stated preaching was a rare thing, although the set¬
tlers were as a class religious and firm believers in the teachings of
the Bible. It was the custom to hold fast by the old traditional Bible
reading and family prayer, and the rustic surroundings had a natural
tendency to create feelings of love and veneration for the Creator of
all things.

To the mind of people raised in the atmosphere of elegant houses,
convenient surroundings, rapid transportation and all modern appliances
for the comfort, education and pleasure of mankind, there is nothing
particularly charming in the details of pioneer life, yet there now liv¬
ing many people, who have been obliged to keep pace with the march
of civilization, who do not hesitate to assert that the old days were
the best days, and that notwithstanding the modern notions of what
constitute comfort, they look with pleasure upon the time when the
log cabin satisfied them with its pleasant yet primitive homeliness

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

967

Tender memories of youthful days spent amidst the attractions that
nature affords, of courtships freed from the exactions of modern
society, of houses where love alone developed the beauties of pure
character, and where the Golden Rule was the foundation of all
equity as between man and man ; these and freedom from dissension
and jealously, are considerations not to be forgotten.

The primitive homes and customs of the people were in keeping
with the tools with which they labored to clear off the timber and
locate the many rich farms that now dot the surface of the county.
Steam threshing machines, combined reapers and mowers and cast
steel plows were beyond anticipation at this time.

The present generation of farmers have no conception of the
methods pursued by their forefathers, and if put to the test of using
the machinery of these early times, the attractions of farming would
be extremely few, and rarely courted.

Fashion knew no votaries among the unassuming people of that
day ; the simple tastes of scattered settlers requiring nothing but
plain, cheap and serviceable materials. These were the halycon days
of the old-fashioned jeans cloth, and to this day, in many localities,
home-made suits of this material are the rule. Then the spinning-
wheel was as necessary as bread ; every mother taught her daughter
to use it, and out of the product of the wheel whole families were
dressed in suits upon which no duties had been paid, and under which
happy hearts beat with the satisfaction that follow honest personal
exertion : and the knoweldge that to their own resources was due their

7 O

happiness, was as satisfactory as it was pleasant to these thrifty and
independent pioneers.

In January, 1833, by act of the State Legislature, as has been pre¬
viously stated, Warren county was formally set off from Montgomery
county, and the boundaries of the new county regularly surveyed and
established. This brought with it the necessity of permanent county
organization, which was immediately agitated. In the following May
the first session of the county court of Warren county was held, and
from the well-preserved records of the county is given the following
verbatim report of its proceedings : —

THE COUNTY COURT.

State of Missouri, County of Warren : At the Mav term of the
county court, in and for said county, A. D. 1833. Be it remembered
that on this 20th day of May, it being the third Monday of said
month, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty-three, personallv appears at the house of Mordecai Morgan —

968

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

the place appointed for holding the county court in and for said
county — Thomas N. Graves, Tilman Cullom and Morgan Bryan,
Esquires, justices of said court, and by their order Absalom Hays,
Esquire, sheriff of said county of Warren, opens court by making
public proclamation thereof at the door of said house.

It is ordered by the court that Tilman Cullom, Esquire, be ap¬
pointed president of this court.

It is ordered by the court that the appointment of Walter Dillon,
as deputy clerk, by Carty Wells, clerk of this court, be sanctioned
and confirmed; whereupon the said Walter Dillon appeared in open
court and took the oath required by law.

It is ordered by the court that the clerk of this court issue 12 mer¬
chants’ licenses and four peddlers’ licenses, and deliver the same to
the collector of this county.

Frederick Griswold applied for a license to keep a tavern at Pinck¬
ney in this county, which is granted, and it is ordered by the court
that the tax imposed on said license be $15.

Walter Dillon applied for a license to keep a tavern at Hickory
Grove in this county, which is granted, and it is ordered by the court
that the tax imposed on said license be $12.

James Pitzer is appointed county surveyor for the county of
Warren, and it is ordered by the court that the clerk certify said ap¬
pointment to the Governor.

It is ordered by the court that the county of Warren be divided
into townships with the following boundaries, to wit : All that terri-
tory within the following boundaries shall compose the township of
Charrette : Beginning at the Missouri river where the fifth principal
meridian crosses said river, thence running north with said meridian
to the corners of sections 12 and 13, in township 46, range 1 west,
thence due west to the township line dividing ranges 2 and 3,
thence south with said line to the Missouri river, thence down the
channel of said river to the beginning.

All that territory within the following boundaries shall compose
the township of Elkhorn : Beginning at the corner of Charrette
township at the meridian and running north to the Lincoln county
line, thence with said line to the line dividing ranges 2 and 3, thence
south to the corner of Charrette township and the line of said town¬
ship to the beginning.

All that territory within the following boundaries shall compose
the township of Pinckney : Beginning at the Missouri river on the
line dividing ranges 2 and 3, thence running north to the south-east
corner of township 47, range 3 west, thence west with the town¬
ship and range line, dividing sections 4 and 5, thence south to the
channel of the Missouri river, thence with said channel to the be¬
ginning.

And all that territory bounded as follows shall compose the town¬
ship of Camp Branch : Embracing all the territory west of the range
line dividing sections 2 and 3, and north of the range line divid¬
ing townships 46 and 47, in ranges 3 and 4.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

969

It is ordered by the court that the following places be designated
as the place for holding elections in the several townships of said
county, to-wit : In the township ofCharrette, elections to be held at
Marthasville. In the township of Elkhorn, elections shall be held at
the house of Grief Stewart. In the township of Camp Branch,
elections shall be held at the house of Nicholas C. Kablers. In
the township of Pinckney, elections shall be held at the house of
Til man Cullom.

It is ordered that the following named persons be appointed judges
of elections in the township of Charrette, to wit : John McGaw, Jared
Erwin and John S. Wyatt ; and it is further ordered that they be no¬
tified of their appointment.

It is ordered by the court that Newton Howell, John Preston and
William Langford be appointed, judges of elections in the township
of Elkhorn ; and it is further ordered that they be served with a copy
of this order.

It is ordered by the court that Capt. John Wyatt, John B. Carter
and Hugh A.. Skinner be appointed judges of elections in the town¬
ship of Pinckney ; and it is further ordered that they be served with
a copy of this order.

It is ordered by the court that Cornelius Howard, John Ferguson
and Philip Glover be appointed judges of elections in the township
of Camp Branch ; and it is further ordered that they be served with a
copy of this order.

It is ordered by the court that Lewis L. Wyatt be appointed con¬
stable of Charrette township.

It is ordered by the court that Lawrie Williams be appointed con¬
stable of Elkhorn township.

It is ordered by the court that Hugh McDaniel be appointed con¬
stable of Pinckney township.

Ordered that court adjourn “ till ” 9 o’clock to-morrow morning.

(Signed) Tilman Cullom.

On the second day, Tuesday, May 21, 1833, it was ordered that
the temporary seat of justice for the county be at the house of John
Wyatt, Sr., and that the regular sessions of the courts be held there
until otherwise provided by law.

Absalom Hays presented his bond and securities as county collector
of the county, which were duly approved.

The following were recommended to the Governor as suitable per¬
sons to fill the office of justice of the peace for the newly organized
townships : —

Charrette : Jared Erwin, James Hughes and Henry E. Welch.

Elkhorn : Edward Pleasant, Parker Dudley, Benoi McClure and
Stephen Ellis.

Camp Branch : Philip Glover, Nathaniel Pendleton and James W.
Taylor.

Pinckney : Bestan Callihan and Larkin G. Carter.

Abihee A. Williams was taxed $5 to operate a grocery store at the
house of Caleb Williams.

970

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

William Hancock, William Logan, Lawson Thurman, Moses Ed¬
wards, Samuel Morris, John Tice and John Butler were appointed
road supervisors.

During the third and last day of the session, the following sugges¬
tive orders were made and recorded on the minute book : —

It is ordered by the court that a patrol be appointed in Charrette
township, consisting of James Bland, captain; and N. Tomlinson,
Daniel B. Callaway and Delaney Burnet, privates, under the direc¬
tion and control of said captain, the said patrol to coutinue in office
one year, and to patrol not less than 24 hours in each month.

In Elkhorn township, a similar patrol was appointed, consisting
of Elisha Elliott, captain ; and Lewis Daniel and Henry B. Graves,
privates.

At this time the owners of slaves were somewhat harassed by
the actions of neighbors who were opposed to the traffic, and fearing
that assistance would be rendered runaway slaves in their efforts to
secure their freedom, these patrols were selected to keep a constant
lookout for escaping negroes, and to disperse all gatherings^!' the
colored people. It is said that the patrolmen were ordered to arrest
and prosecute any and all strangers found conversing with slaves.
The regularly selected officers were court officials, clothed with legal
power, and they did not hesitate to exercise their authority.

Among the early transactions of the court, to wit : At the special
term, held in August,. 1833, at the house of John Wyatt, is found
the following order : —

William James filed a paper setting forth an improper assess¬
ment of a negro slave belonging to him, the said James, valued at
$300, and upon full examination of the premises, and mature delib¬
eration therein being had, it is considered that the said James be
released from the payment of tax on said slave, and that he be cred¬
ited with the amount charged bv the said assessment.

* — m/

THE CIRCUIT COURT.

From the records of the county were taken the following verbatim
account of the proceedings of the first session of the circuit court of
Warren county :

State of Missouri, ) At the May term of the court in and

County of Warren, s for said countv.

J »/

Be it remembered that on this ninth day of May, it being the
first Thursday after the first Monday of said month, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred aud thirty-three, personally

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

971

«/

appears at the house of Mordecai Morgan, the place appointed for
holding the circuit court in and for said county of Warren, the Hon.
Priestly B. McBride, judge of the second judicial district in and for
said State, and the judge of the circuit court aforesaid, and by his
order Absalom Hays, sheriff of said county of Warren, opens court
by making proclamation thereof' at the door of said house, and also
returns here into court the following panel to serve as grand jurors
at the present term of this court, to wit : Thomas Talbot, who is ap¬
pointed foreman, Grief Stewart, Samuel Dokerty, Benoni McClure,
Andrew J. Lang, Isaac Kent, Jr., William Cameron, James Miller,
Edward Plaisant, Turner Roundtree, Jonathan D. Gordon, Benjamin
Hutchinson, Woodson A. Burton, Thomas Chambers, George Clay,
James B. Graves, John B. Shaw and Jared Edwin, eighteen good and
lawful men of said county of Warren, who being so duly empaneled,
and here in court charged to inquire for said State of Missouri in and
for the body of the county of Warren, retire for that purpose.

The clerk presented to the court, for approval, the bond of Absalom
Hays, sheriff of said county, taken in vacation by the clerk, which
said bond the court refused to approve, because the said bond had not
been executed by the said Hays within thirty days after receiving his
commission as sheriff as aforesaid. And thereupon it appearing to
the satisfaction of the court, that there is no sheriff or coroner quali¬
fied to act, it is ordered by the court that Absalom Hays be appointed
“elizor” for said county, with full power to execute all processes
issued by this court, and to do and perform all other acts pertaining
to the office of sheriff required of him by said court.

The State I

v. > On recognizance to keep the peace with his wife.

Wm. Logan. )

On motion of the circuit attorney it is ordered by the court that
this case be stricken from the docket, and the papers remanded to the
justice of the peace for further proceedings.

The State

vs.

Wm. Logan.

On recognizance to appear at this court, and answer
to an indictment.

On motion of the circuit attorney, it is ordered by the court that
this can be stricken from the docket, and the papers remanded to the
justice of the peace for further proceedings.

Absalom Hays presented to the court an account against the county
of Warren, for six dollars and eighty-seven cents and a half, which is
allowed by the court. Ordered that the clerk certify the same to the
county court for payment.

The grand jury return into court, and, having no business before
them, are discharged from further duty at this term.

972

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

John Jones 4

vs. > Allegations of fraud.

Thomas Talbot. )

John Jones, bv his attorney, filed in open court an affidavit contain¬
ing allegations of fraud in the defendant, who has taken the benefit of
the act for the relief of the insolvent debtors, and prays for a sum¬
mons against said defendant. Ordered by the court that a summons
issue in conformity to the statute.

It is ordered by the court that the clerk procure the following books
for his office : One record deed book, one order book, both to be
bound ; two docket books, one fee book, one execution book, one
book for witnesses’ claims, and one minute book.

Ordered that court adjourn till court in course.

(Signed.) P. H. McBride.

The Tilman Cullom who was selected as president of the first
county court, was a brother of the Hon. Shelby M. Cullom, ex-
Governor of Illinois, and present United States Senator from that
State. He was a Kentuckian, in which State he married a Miss Mc-
Durmid, and shortly after moved to Missouri. Here he raised a large
family of children, and was recognized as one of the leading and
public-spirited men of the early days.

Absalom Hays, the first sheriff of the county, was, previous to its
organization, the second sheriff elected in Montgomery county. He
served as sheriff of Warren county for 12 years, his last term expir¬
ing in 1845. His wife was a Miss Annie Skinner, of Montgomery
county, by whom he had Jeremiah, Susan, John A., Jane and Mary
C. Mrs. Hays is yet living in Montgomery county, in the family of
her daughter, Jane. During the election which took place in the
spring of 1842, Mr. Hays was again a candidate for sheriff, and was
opposed by McKinney, who was some years his junior, and a man of
considerable wealth. During the somewhat heated campaign the
rival candidates met at a political meeting or barbecue at Lehmberg’s
store, on the present site of Holstein village, and becoming angered,
finally resorted to a personal encounter. Mr. Hays was a cripple and
hardly a match for his younger opponent. McKinney, to humiliate
the sheriff, used an old-fashioned cowhide whip, and it is said un¬
mercifully cut up the officer. A warrant was immediately issued for
McKinney’s arrest and he was formally tried, convicted and sentenced
to pay a fine of one hundred dollars. This he did, and feeling hu¬
miliated in turn, sold out his property, moved away and never re¬
turned to the county.

CHAPTER III.

Daniel Boone — His Early History in this County, Etc. — Death and Burial Place.

The history of Warren county is replete with reminiscences of the
great hunter and Indian fighter, Daniel Boone, and on account of
the interest in this county, we here insert what may at the first glance
seem a repetition of matter contained in another part of this work.
[Pages 95-100.] His reputation is national, and at this late day,
relic hunters and admirers of his prowess as a backwoodsman, delight
to be shown the house in which he died, the grave in which he was
first interred, and to listen to the thrilling details of his adventurous
career during the 21 years he resided near the murky waters of the
Missouri.

There are yet living several residents of Warren and St. Charles
counties, who distinctly remember the old hero, and who recall his
appearance as the frosts of age grew upon him ; and as he neared the
final resting place chosen by himself, in the lower part of Warren
county, they recall his later visits to the homes where he was an ever
welcome guest. To these persons the writer is indebted for many in¬
teresting and exciting personal details of the great hunter’s life in
Missouri.

In the fall of 1797, Boone, who loved nature in her wildest forms
and courted the seclusion and dangers of the frontier, became dis¬
satisfied with his Kentucky home, and began to long for a country
where, as he was wont to express it, “ He could have more elbow
room.” Settlers were rapidly locating all around him, and as each
new clearing was begun he saw his dream of exclusive and solitary
companionship disappear before the ax of the new comers. Game
began to grow scarce, he was obliged to go longer distances on his
roving excursions, and being unable to stem the tide of emigration
into his neighborhood, he at last determined during the winter of
1795 and 1796, to once more seek a home in a country where he
would not be surrounded by so many evidences of civilization. In the
spring he disposed of a portion of his effects, and, accompanied by
Flanders Callaway, who had previously married Boone’s daughter,
Jemima, the family packed what they thought necessary for their com-

(973)

974

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

fort during the journey, and set out upon a tedious horse-back ride for
the wilds of Missouri. The exact date of their arrival in what is now
Warren county is unknown, but some time during the spring of 1798,
the fort, known in history as Callaway’s post, was located near
Marthasville. Boone was then 64 years of age, and in the full vigor
of a well preserved and vigorous manhood. He now thought it pos¬
sible to live out the remainder of his life amidst the wild surround¬
ings so dear to his heart.

In this he was doomed to disappointment. For a period of about
three years he remained practically undisturbed by the presence of
what he was accustomed to term “ poachers,” his immediate family
relations being the only white persons in the country. About this
time his brother, known as “ Squire ” Boone, and his youngest son
Nathan, came from Kentucky, and joined the little colony at Calla¬
way post. Boone continued to devote the greater portion of his
time to his favorite pastime of hunting and trapping, and soon estab¬
lished himself in a lucrative business, forwarding furs to St. Louis,
then a trading post, and it is said that he made yearly trips to that
station.

In 1803, the early tide of immigration began, and once more
Boone found that he was to be disturbed in his seclusion. In con¬
sultation with his relatives, he expressed a desire to move again, and
once more seek a place so far from civilization as to preclude the en¬
croachments of pioneer settlers. From this idea he was dissuaded by
his friends, who argued that he was growing too old to take upon
himself such responsibility. Listening to this advice he first settled
down upon a piece of land, adjoining the present town of Marthas¬
ville, and there resided until his son Nathan built a cabin for him, in
the Femme Osage valley, at a point about five miles from Augusta,
St. Charles county. Here Mr. and Mrs. Boone lived for several years
when Nathen completed a large stone house in the same vicinity, in
which the old couple lived and died. This house is yet standing, and
is now known as the Johnson place.

Boone had experienced a serious loss previous to his removal from
Kentucky. The land upon which he had settled was taken from him
through some technical defect in the deed to the property. A horde
of unprincipled speculators had been attracted to Kentucky, and dis¬
covering that the settlers had not correctly recorded the location and
boundaries of their lands in many instances, these land-sharks took
advantage of the opportunity, perfected correct surveys, and event¬
ually secured possession. Immediately following his removal from

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

975

Kentucky he journeyed to the home of his son, Daniel M. Boone, who
had located in the Kanawha valley in Virginia, and while there se¬
cured an invitation from the Spanish Lieutenant-Governor, Zeron Tru¬
deau, to visit him at St. Louis.

Missouri, then a part of Louisiana, and under the control of the
Spanish Government, was called the Upper Louisiana. Boone ac¬
cepted the invitation, made his way to St. Louis, and was there ten¬
dered a large grant of land, on condition that he would settle in that
country. This he decided to do, and came to Warren county, in the
manner already stated.

On the 24th of January, 1798, Boone received from the Spanish
government a concession of 1,000 arpents of land, situated in Femme
Osage district. Shortly thereafter he agreed with the Spanish author¬
ities to bring into the country 100 families from Kentucky and Vir¬
ginia, for which he was to receive 10,000 arpents of land. The
agreement was fulfilled, but as Boone neglected to procure the signature
of the direct representative of the Spanish crown, resident at New
Orleans, his title was declared invalid when Upper Louisiana became
a part of the United States.

The same defect existed in the first grant of 1,000 arpents, and
realizing that he was in danger of again becoming the unwitting
victim of the wily speculator, he determined to appeal direct to Con¬
gress for protection.

The following is a bona fide copy of the petition which Boone ad¬
dressed Congress, and by which he was eventually made secure in the
possession of his property : —

The Senate and Representatives of the United States in Congress
assembled. The petition of Daniel Boone, at present an inhabitant of
the Territory of Louisiana, respectfully showeth : —

That your petitioner has spent a long life in exploring the wilds
of North America ; and has, by his own personal exertions, been
greatly instrumental in opening the road to civilization in the immense
territories now attached to the United States, and, in some instances,
matured into independent States.

An ardent thirst for discovery, united with a desire to benefit a
rising family, has impelled him to encounter the numerous hardships,
privations, difficulties and dangers to which he has invariably been
exposed. How far his desire for discovery has been extended, and
what consequences have resulted from his labors, are, at this time,
unnecessary to be stated.

But your petitioner has thus opened the way to thousands, to
countries possessed of every natural advantage, and although he may
have gratified his thirst for discovery, he has to lament that he has

976

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

not derived those personal advantages which his exertions would seem
to have merited. He has secured but a scanty portion of that im¬
measurable territory over which his discoveries have extended, and
his family have reason to regret that their interest had not been more
the great object of his discoveries.

Your petitioner has nothing to demand from the justice of his
country, but he respectfully suggests that it might be deemed an act
of grateful benevolence, if his country, amidst their bounties, would
so far gratify his last wish, as to grant him some reasonable portion
of land within the territory of Louisiana.

He is more induced to this, request, as the favorite pittance of soil
to which he considered he had acquired a title under the Spanish
government has been wrested from him by a construction of the
existing laws not in his contemplation, and beyond his foresight.
Your petitioner is not disposed to murmur or complain ; but con¬
scious of the value and extent of his services, he solicits some evi¬
dence of their liberality.

He approaches the august assemblage of his fellow-citizens with a
confidence inspired by that spirit which has led him so often to the
deep recesses of the wilds of America ; and he flatters himself that he,
with his familv, will be induced to acknowledge that the United States
know how to appreciate and encourage the efforts of her citizens, in
enterprises of magnitude, from which proportionate public good may
be derived. (Signed)

Daniel Boone.

This petition was received, a bill was drawn up and introduced
in the lower house, granting him the original 1,000 arpents which he
had received from the Spanish government, and the whole matter
was referred to a Senate committee, which after consideration, on
January 12, 1810, reported as follows : —

That at a period antecedent to the Revolutionary War, Daniel
Boone, the petitioner, possessing an ardent desire for the exploration
of the (then) western wilderness of the United States, after traversing
a length of mountainous and uninhabited country, discovered, and with a
few bold and fearless fellows, established, with a perilous hardihood, the
first settlement of civilized population in the (now) State of Kentucky.
That in maintaining the possession of that country, until the peace of
1783, he experienced all the vicissitudes of a war with enemies of
the most daring, insiduous and cruel, and which were aided by Cana¬
dians from the British provinces of Upper Canada, and that during
that contest he lost several children by the hands of savages.

That it appears to the committee, that although the petitioner was
not officially employed by the government of the United States, yet
that he was actually engaged against their enemies, through the
whole War of the Revolution.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

977

That in the exploring, settling and defending of that country, he
eminently contributed to the early march of the American Western
population, and which has redounded to the benefit of the United
States. That your petitioner is old, infirm, and though dependent on
agriculture, by adverse and unpropitious circumstances, possesses not
one acre of that immeasurable territory which he so well defended,
after having been the pioneer of its settlement. The petitioner disclaim¬
ing all idea of a demand upon the justice of his country, vet requests,
as a grateful benevolence, that Congress would grant him some reas¬
onable portion of land in the Territory of Louisiana. The com¬
mittee, upon the whole circumstance of the merit and situation, beg
leave to report the bill without amendment.

The entire and perfect justice of Boone’s request was admitted, yet
the Board of Land Commissioners reported adversely upon the
grant.

Boone was kept in suspense for three long years, when on Decem¬
ber 21, 1813, through the intercession of a few leading and represent¬
ative men, who contended that he should be rewarded for his noble
and self-sacrificing efforts, the bill passed, the grant was confirmed,
and he became the owner of his Femme Osage tract.

In 1802 settlers had located in such numbers throughout the Femme
Osage country, that the people perceived the necessity of local gov¬
ernment of some character, and by common consent, Col. Boone was
selected as commandant of the district. In this position he had dis¬
cretionary powers which amounted to an absolute dictatorship, had he
chosen to so apply them. On the contrary, he was just and charita¬
ble in all his decisions, punishing severely all offenders against the
law, and at the same time doing everything in his power to attract
immigration and increase the prosperity of the Territory.

Offenders were brought before him, their cases heard, and when
found guilty, it was the general practice to whip them on the bare
back, a mode of punishment now out of vogue, but one which is salu¬
tary in its effect. Long after the Territory of Upper Louisiana was
purchased by the United States, and the common laws of the country
became established there, citizens who had become engaged in litiga¬
tion, were accustomed to go to Boone for advice, and ignoring the
fact that such a tribunal as a court of law existed, they preferred to
submit their disputes to him as arbitrator, both sides having the ut¬
most confidence in his honesty, integrity and judgment.

On the 13th of March, 1813, Boone met with an irreparable loss in
the death of his wife. The old couple were very much attached to
each other. They had together braved the dangers of the backwoods :

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

had together seen the wilderness blossom like the rose; in each other’s

company they had witnessed and faced death upon many occasions,

and when Mrs. Boone breathed her last, the Colonel was indeed an

afflicted person. His wife was buried on what is now the farm of

Henrv Dickhaus, about a mile south-east of Marthasville.

After the death of his wife, the old hero made his home at the house
of his daughter, Mrs. Flanders Callaway, who resided on Teuque
creek, near where Mrs. Boone was buried. Following his removal
to this place, his life was passed in hunting and trapping, and he often
made long and dangerous journeys, going hundreds of miles away
from home, in quest of furs. When not absent on these trips he fre¬
quently went the rounds visiting his relatives and children, who had
settled about the vicinity of the Femme Osage creek.

During the summer of 1820 Col. Boone was stricken with a severe
attack of fever while at Mrs. Callaway’s, but owing to his rugged con¬
stitution, he readily recovered his average health. He shortly after¬
wards visited his son, Nathan, on the Femme Osage, and while there
was again taken sick. Everything possible was done for him, but to
no purpose, and after an illness of three days, he peacefully and quietly
passed away, breathing his last on September 26, 1820.

Col. Boone had directed that his body should be placed beside that
of his wife, in the family buring ground of the Bryans, on Teuque
creek, and here, on the second day after his death, his remains were
interred, in the presence of a vast concourse of people, who came from
long distances to pay their last sad tribute of respect to the man who,
throughout all his long and eventful life, had but one rule to govern all
his actions : Do untoothers as you would have others do unto you.”

The constitutional convention of Missouri was in session at St.
Louis when Boone’s death was announced. The convention, upon
motion of Hon. Benjamin Emmons, of St. Charles county, ad¬
journed for one day, and it was ordered that the members wear the
usual badge of mourning for thirty days out of respect to the mem¬
ory of the dead hero.

Daniel Boone’s life was one of heroic self-sacrifice, and amidst the
wild, dangerous and romantic surroundings of his career, there ap¬
pears constant evidences of his rugged and manly character. His
honesty of purpose was never questioned. He had a heart as tender
and loving as a woman’s, was ever ready to assist the afflicted, would
impoverish himself to be of assistance to those in need, was kind,
generous, fearless and just, and went to the presence of his Maker
regretted not only by his immediate family friends and neighbors, but

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

979

also by the people of the entire country, for whom he had done so much
during a long and eventful life. History has already recorded the
events of his life, and a thankful people will ever keep in remem¬
brance these achievements. Posterity owes to him a debt of grati¬
tude which time can not recompense. His discoveries, the simplicity
of his character, the fearless and undaunted manner in which he led
the pioneers of his time, will always be subjects of intense interest.
Col. Boone never made a confession of religion, his only precept be¬
ing an honest fulfillment of the golden rule, “ Do unto others as you
would have others do unto you.”

The grave in which Col. Boone was first interred is located in a
picturesque spot on Teuque creek, about a mile from the Missouri river,
glimpses of which are to be had from the graveyard of the Bryna
family, where the old backwoodsman was laid beside his beloved
wife. The grave has sunken in, the tombstones have been carried
away and at the present day the grounds are in a neglected condition,
although efforts are being made to build a suitable fence about the
spot and to erect a monument over the grave where was buried the
remains of a man great in his character, great in the accomplishments
of his life and whose achievements mark an era in American history.

Immediately after his death Mr. Harvey Griswold, who represented
Montgomery county in the State Legislature, introduced a bill before
that body, appropriating $500, for the purpose of erecting a monument
over the graves of Boone and his wife. The measure was defeated,
however, and the Legislature of Kentucky, hearing of this action,
immediately passed a bill appropriating $10,000 for that purpose, and
instructing the Governor to secure the remains for burial in that
State. A committee was appointed, headed by the Hon. John J.
Crittenden, and being instructed to proceed to Missouri, they arrived
at the grave on July 17, 1845, and formally requested that they be
allowed to exhume the remains. Mr. Griswold, who had taken great
interest in the disposal of the remains of the renowned backwoods¬
man, and Mr, Bryan, in whose family burial lot the bones had reposed
for so many years, at first objected to the removal, but after consider¬
able discussion, during which the Kentuckians agreed to speedily
complete the monument, so richly merited by the deceased pioneer,
permission was granted them to open the grave. The following
report of what occurred at the grave is taken verbatim from the St.
Louis Reporter of August 2, 1845 : —

On the 17th inst. the remains of Daniel Boone, the celebrated
Western pioneer, and those of his wife, were disinterred and removed

980

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

from Warren county, in this State, to be taken to Frankfort, Ky.,

where they are to be re-interred and a monument erected over them.
%/

Mr. Griswold, on whose land the graves were, objected for a time to
their being disturbed, but yielded on being assured that the living
relations of the deceased had given their consent. After the exhuma¬
tion, Mr. Crittenden, of Kentucky, made a neat and appropriate
address on the character of Boone, the hardy Western adventurer, to
which Joseph B. Wells, Esq., of Warren county, responded.

We regret that these remains were not suffered to lie where they
were originally buried — that the sacred relicts should be removed from
our State, to receive at the hands of others the honors Missourians
should have rendered. It is true the fame of Daniel Boone is identi¬
fied with the early history of Kentucky, but it is none the less dear to
Missourians, among whom he passed the closing years of his life.
They should have objected to the removal of his remains, and kept
them here, as precious relics of a by-gone age.

The history of Boone is connected with the history of Missouri, and
our State pride should have been sufficiently aroused to prevent others
from doing that honor to his memory, which it was our peculiar duty
to pay. He chose his burial place among us. It should never have

been disturbed ; but over his £rave a monument should have been

v-/

erected to show that we appreciated properly his manly virtues and
heroic exploits. But since our neglect to move in this matter, we
have no good ground to complain, that others have stepped forward
to perform the work for us.

The headstones originally placed at the graves of Boone and his
wife were quarried out of a rocky ledge on the Femme Osage creek,
about a mile and a half from the residence of Nathan Boone, where
the old couple lived and died. The name of the stone cutter can not
be obtained. They were roughly dressed, and taken to the home of
John S. Wyatt, a blacksmith, who in those days lived near Marthas-
ville. Mr. Wyatt cut the names and figures upon the stones, but
exactly where they were taken after the disinterment is a question.
It is claimed that Dr. Samuel Jones, a descendant of the pioneer, now
living in Henry county, took the stones, and now has them in his pos¬
session, and it is also said that one of the head stones is in the museum
of Fayette College, in this State.

When the remains finally arrived at Frankfort, Ky., an informal
interment was had, on September 13, 1845. What remained of the
bodies were placed in the graves, which were partially filled up, in
which condition they remained for over 25 years, and it was not until
about the year 1880 that the monument was erected over the final
resting place of the renowned frontiersman, although the appropria¬
tion for that purpose was made in 1845.

981

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY

Boone sleeps beneath the protecting shade of a beautiful grove in
the cemetery at Frankfort, and his memory is yet green in the minds
of persons now living. His career, splendid in its completeness,
shining with valorous deeds and full of the characteristics that com¬
prise the sum of general manhood, has been given a place in the list
of renowned Americans. Requiescat in pace.

CHAPTER IV.

BENCH AND BAR.

The Warren County Bar in the Past — Hon. Ezra Hunt — Judge Carty Wells — Col.

Frederick Morsey — Hon. L. J. Dryden — Hon. Chas. E. Peers — W. L. Morsey —

Peter P. Stewart.

From the ranks of the legal fraternity have come many distinguished
men of the world. This is especially true of America, where the pro¬
fession has included seven-tenths of the great men of the country.
The political history of the United States includes the names of many
renowned men, whose early training was for the law, and whose stand¬
ing in that profession first gave them prominence, and who attribute
their original entry into public life to the fact that they were disciples
of Blacks tone.

The study of Kent’s Commentaries, and the logical deductions laid
down in Greenleaf’s Rules of Evidence, have equipped many brilliant
minds for the consideration of the weighty questions of public policy
that mark the progress of American history. Men, born in obscurity,
without the benefit of collegiate educations, have risen to national
renown through their own unaided efforts in the legal profession and
a careful study of the old Latin aphorism, jus et norma loquendi , the
law and rule of speech.

Warren county has made a creditable showing in this respect, and
the names of the lawyers who have practiced at the bar include many
men of prominence. Space will not permit a reference to all the
noted individuals who have demonstrated their legal learning since the
courts were organized in the county, but mention will be made of
some of those who have left the impress of their ability, and to whom
residents of the county point with pride and admiration.

Among the prominent attorneys who signed the rolls in the earlier
days of the Warren county courts, were the Hon. Ezra Hunt, who was
the second judge of the circuit court, a man of profound learning and
highly respected ; Sinclair Kirtley, present judge of the probate
court of Ralls county; John Jamison, a leading attorney, and after¬
wards a member of Congress ; William Young, who is now living at
Troy ; William M. Campbell, renowned as a great jury lawyer ; Foster
P. Wright, ex-judge of the circuit court of Vernon county; John D
(982)

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

983

Coalter, who, at one time, entered a large quantity of public land in
Warren county ; Thomas W. Cunningham, who was formerly the law
partner of Judge Arnold Krekel, and who now resides in St. Charles ;
George W. Huston, afterwards registrar of lands for Missouri ; John
D. S. Drydeti, ex-judge of the State Supreme Court, and now residing
in St. Louis ; W. V. M. Bay, ex-judge State Supreme Court ; A. H.
Buckner, ex-judge of the circuit court and member of Congress ;
James O. Broadhead, a lawyer of national reputation, and who was at
one time prominently mentioned as the Democratic nominee for Vice-
President of the United States; John Scott, afterwards presiding
judge of the State Supreme Court ; N. P. Minor, present judge of the
probate court of Pike county; Arnold Krekel, one of the most prom¬
inent lawyers of the entire State, and for 20 years judge of the United
States district court for the Northern district of Missouri, and who
now resides in Kansas City ; Alfred W. Lamb, formerly president of
the Hannibal and St. Joe Railway ; Andrew King, who was a member
of Congress from the Seventh district; Aikman Welch, who was at
one time Attorney-General of the State ; D. O. Gale, ex-judge of the
circuit court ; Frederick Morsey, prominent both as a lawyer and a
soldier during the Civil War; A. Y. McKee, who was considered an
exceedingly fine lawyer, and who served as a member of both the
State constitutional conventions, and died in 1884 at Troy, Lincoln
county ; John D. Stevenson ; now health commissioner of the
city of St. Louis ; W. S. Lovelace, ex-judge of the State Supreme
Court, and L. J. Dryden, now a prominent practicing lawyer at
Warrenton.

HON. EZRA HUNT.

Ezra Hunt was the first judge of the circuit court of Warren county,
and held the office from 1836 to 1848. Judge Hunt was a native of
Massachussetts, and came to Missouri in 1819. He was not only a
man of classical education, but was a diligent student through life.
This fondness for literary pursuits, and his love for legal research,
caused him to accumulate a fine library, by the use of which he
became a sound lawyer, a ripe scholar, a jurist just, learned and
true. During the arguments of lawyers, when directed to jurors,
he often left the bench, and taking a seat among the old farmers,
engaged in pleasant conversation, not regarding this as an exhibition
of a want of dignity, necesssary to the administration of justice. It
demonstrated the natural kindness of his heart, and made him im¬
mensely popular with the people. He was exceptionally popular

984

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

with the profession, especially among the younger members of the
fraternity, to whom he was kind and courteous, endeavoring to relieve
them as much as possible of the embarrassment that generally attends
a young practitioner. He was a humorous man, loved a good joke,
and would laugh at a good story until his sides shook. On the 19th
day of September, 1860, while in conversation with a party of lady
friends, at the hotel in Troy, he suddenly dropped dead, and expired
in an instant. In the twinkling of an eye thus passed away a man
whose kindly disposition had endeared him to the entire community,
and whose scholarly attainments placed him among the great lawyers
and jurists of the State. A daughter of Judge Hunt is the wife of the
Hon. D. P. Dyer, ex-member of Congress from St. Louis.

JUDGE CARTY WELLS.

Judge Carty Wells succeeded Judge Hunt upon the bench in 1848.
Previous to his election to the circuit bench, he was clerk of both the
county and circuit courts, being the first man to occupy that position.
In 1842 Mr. Wells was elected to the Legislature from Warren county,
and was again a candidate in 1858, but withdrew from the race before
the election. There was a split in the Democratic party at that time,
and Wells and Womack were both candidates. Womack had received
the regular party nomination, and Judge Wells ran upou an inde¬
pendent ticket. The rival candidates conducted a joint canvass, but
during the excitement of the campaign Judge Wells’ health failed
and he was obliged to withdraw. Judge Wells was a fluent and
argumentative talker, but made no effort at oratory. He addressed
himself to the understanding of his hearers, and endeavored to secure
their confidence and good will. He was genial and pleasant, mixed
freely with the people, made friends readily, and never assumed an
air of superiority. His examination of witnesses was ingenious and
shrewd. Upon one occasion he was defending a man for stealing an
ax and undertook, without previous knowledge of what the witness
would swear, to show his client’s good character. He asked the wit-
ness the usual questions as to acquaintance, etc., and then if, from his
reputation, he believed he would steal an ax. The witness said he
would rather not testify, but Judge Wells insisted. “ Well,” said the
witness, “ if I must, I must. As to the general character, I think
the least said the better ; as to his stealing an ax, that is a leading
question.” “ Answer the question,” Said the court. “I can’t say
the old man would steal an ax, but I can swear that when he wants
an ax he is bound to have it.” The result of that kind of testimony

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

985

can well be imagined. After a long and useful career Judge Wells
died on his farm near Troy, Lincoln county, about 20 years ago,
leaving a respected memory and a host of warm, personal friends.

COL. FREDERICK MORSEY.

Frederick Morsey was born in the city of Hanover, Prussia, and

came to America in 1833. He settled in Warren countv in 1834.

•/

Mr. Morsey was a college graduate, and thoroughly versed in the pro¬
fession of civil engineering and an accomplished surveyor. Under
his supervision many of the lines in Franklin and Warren were
formerly established. Soon after his arrival in Warren county he
thoroughly mastered the English language, studied law, was admitted
to the bar of Warren county and established a lucrative practice.
Upon the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion Mr. Morsey re¬
mained true to the cause of the Union, enlisted in the Northern army
and served as lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth Missouri cavalry. At
the close of hostilities he returned home and again began the practice
of his profession, in company with his son, W. L. Morsey. Mr.
Morsey was one of the leading men of Warren county, foremost in
all public enterprises, a conscientious and upright gentleman, and
universally respected by all who knew him. He died mourned by
the community who had so long recognized his sterling worth.

LEONIDAS J. DRYDEN.

Among the prominent lawyers now in active practice in Warren
county, none are more widely known or more universally respected
than Leonidas J. Dryden, who was born in Montgomery county, De¬
cember 31, 1835. He was educated at St. Paul’s College, Palmyra,
Mo., read law in the office of his brother, John D. S. Dryden, and
was admitted to the bar at Warrenton in 1859. Mr. Dryden has
given particular attention to commercial law, in which specialty he
has few superiors. He was an honored and useful member of the
Constitutional Convention of 1875, where his abilities were generally
acknowledged. In 1877 he was elected to the State Legislature,
where he again demonstrated his capacity as a law-maker. Mr.
Dryden has an elegant home and a very interesting family, to whom
he is devotedly attached.

HON. CHARLES E. PEERS.

Charles Edward Peers was born at Troy, Lincoln county, Mo., May
2, 1844. His father, Edward J. Peers, was a native of Prince Will-

986

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

iam county, Va., and the son of a Revolutionary soldier. He married
Miss Cytha Stone Reynolds, of Bowling Green, Ky., the mother of
the subject of this sketch.

Charles E. Peers is literally a self-made man, who has attained an
enviable position through the exercise of indominitable pluck and
perseverance.

Without the benefit of an early education, yet determined as a boy
to attain for himself a position in society, he has arisen to a proud
place in his chosen profession, and is recognized as one of the lead¬
ing attorneys of the State. Being admitted to the bar he rapidly
came into prominence, and in 1868, when but 24 years of age, was
elected circuit attorney for the district comprising Pike, Lincoln,
Warren, St. Charles, Montgomery and Audrain counties, and held
that important office for a term of four years. In 1872 Mi. Peers
was elected to the State Legislature and served one term to the entire
satisfaction of his constituents. In 1876 he was a member of the
Democratic Presidential electoral ticket, and his canvass of the dis¬
trict was marked by the energy, eloquence and ability that has always
distinguished his efforts.

Mr. Peers is a genial polished gentleman ; kindly in his impulses,
he believes in the axiom that strict equity should be a cardinal rule of
existence, and being yet in the prime of life, undoubtedly has a brill¬
iant future before him.

AVILLIAM L. MORSE Y.

William L. Morsey, the second son of Frederick Morsey, was born
at Warrenton, November 21, 1850. Completing his studies, he read
law in the office of his father and was admitted to the bar in 1870. In
1874 Mr. Morsey was elected prosecuting attorney of Warren county,
and has been elected regularly to the same position at each succeed¬
ing election, performing the arduous duties of his office with signal
ability. During his term of office two of the most remarkable and
sensational murder trials in the history of the State have been prose¬
cuted by him in the interest of the people, and his successful conduct
of the cases referred to, has earned for him the thanks of all order-
loving citizens.

He is the law partner of the Hon. Charles E. Peers, and occupies
an enviable position in society, being a gentleman of polished man¬
ners, versed in the knowledge of the law, and possessing the respect
and confidence of all who know him. He is yet quite young and has
a long life of usefulness before him.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

987

PETER P. STEWART.

Peter P. Stewart was born in Pittsylvania county, Ya., February
20, 1826, and came to Missouri with his parents in 1830. Mr. Stewart
was admitted to the bar in 1849, and is now the oldest practicing law¬
yer in Warren county. He enjoys an enviable reputation, both as a
lawyer and a citizen, has a lucrative practice, and is well and favorably
known throughout the district in which he resides.

CHAPTER V.

WAR HISTORY.

In all the wars since the Revolution, whose glorious results estab¬
lished republican principles of government on this continent and
guaranteed to its participants and their descendants a heritage of free¬
dom, Warren county has always contributed her quota of fearless and
gallant men. Living among the rocky gorges, and upon the broad
prairies that comprise the little county, are many brave citizens, who,
when occasion required their services, have gone forth to battle for a
common interest.

These men have faced the leaden hail of warlike strife. “ Grim
visaged war” created no element of fear in them when once they had
determined to nobly contend for the right, as they perceived it. Im¬
pelled by a patriotic love of country and a deep-seated veneration for
her institutions, they have left their loved ones behind, severed the ties
of neighborly friendship and hastened to defend the flag of their
country.

Among the residents of Warren county who enlisted in the second
war with Great Britain were Anthony Wyatt, Morgan Brvan, James
Bryan, William Hancock, who was the first settler on what is known
as Hancock’s Bottom; John King, William T. Lamme (who was
first lieutenant in Nathan Boone’s company of rangers) ; Newton
Howell, a son of John Howell, the first settler on Howell’s Prairie,
in St. Charles county ; Thomas Bowen, afterwards a noted Baptist
clergyman ; James Kennedy, a son of Thomas Kennedy, the com¬
mandant of Kennedy’s fort and brother of Judge Royal J. Kennedy ;
John Kent, who was one of Capt. James Callaway’s famous company
of rangers, and who was present at the battle of LoutreLick ; William
McConnell, who was also with Capt. Callaway; Thomas Chambers, a
son of John Chambers, an Irishman, who settled in Missouri in 1798 ;
Alexander Chambers, his brother; Joseph, John, James and Guion
Gibson, Jr., all of whom were enlisted men in Capt. Callaway’s com-
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

989

pany ; Robert Lisle, son of Hugh Lisle, who came to Warren county
in 1809, and Robert Gray, a Tennesseean, who settled in the county
during the same year.

The grizzled veterans of the War of 1812 have all gone to their
final rest, but their exploits will live in history and their memories be
preserved by a people whose gratitude can not be measured by the
lapse of time.

THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

The next call to arms was upon the outbreak of the Indian insur¬
rection of 1832, headed by the famous chief, Black Hawk. The only
names obtainable of men who enlisted for this contest from Warren
county are Woodford F. Roundtree, Edward Roundtree and Turner
Miller. These men were cousins and lived about two miles east of
Warrenton. They all returned home after the close of hostilities,
and the Roundtrees afterwards became a well known family.

MEXICAN WAR.

In May, 1846, war was declared against the Republic of Mexico,
and following the call of the President for troops, Gov. Edwards, of
Missouri, issued a call for volunteers for the Army of the West. A
company was immediately raised in Warrenton, of which Thomas W.
Stewart was elected captain. Among those who enlisted in this com¬
pany were P. P. Stewart, J. H. Faulconer, Lewis Gibson, A. Z.
Kent, Joseph L. Fant and James A. Stewart.

The organization met and were regularly drilled for a time when it
was announced that the quota from Missouri had been filled, and that
their services would not be required. Joseph L. Fant, following the
disbandment of the company, enlisted in an adjoining county in Capt. ‘
Parson’s company of the First Missouri cavalry. James B. Oliver,
who lived in the vicinity of Wright City, and was one of the founders
of that town, also volunteered for the war. John Ballard was also a
volunteer, and John Owings enlisted in the First Missouri infantry,
but died on the plains before the regiment reached Santa Fe.

THE CIVIL WAR.

In April, 1861, the war cloud that burst upon the country, following
the commencement of hostilities at Fort Sumpter, brought with it
into Warren county the usual excitement that precedes times of strife
and contention. The call of President Lincoln for troops was the
signal for action, and this event in Warren county aroused the par-

990

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

tisans on both sides. The situation of the county was peculiar. Lo¬
cated near the line of demarkation between the free States of Illinois
and Kansas, and but a short distance from the base of operations of
the Union army, it became necessary to make a show of hands at
once. Missouri was a slave State, and there were a number of slave
owners in the county, and the time had at last arrived when nothing
but actual and cruel warfare could forever determine whether the sys¬
tem of African bondage should continue as a national institution.
Volunteers began to enlist on both sides ; neighbors who had lived
side by side for years, and whose friendly relations had never been
disturbed, suddenly found themselves placed in a position where, in
order to maintain their personal opinions, it became a matter of
declaration and prompt action on their part. The fact was unfortu¬
nate and extremely unpleasant, but none the less true, and then began
a state of public fear and anxiety that continued, with more or less
intensity, throughout the four long years during which the two armies
struggled for supremacy.

The town of Warrenton contained many Southern sympathizers ; in
fact, the majority of its citizens were firm believers in the doctrine of
State sovereignty, as enunciated by the Confederate leaders, and the
few Union men who dared to take a decided stand were threatened
with death at various times. Col. Frederick Morsey, who after¬
wards organized the Third Missouri cavalry, was served with a notice
to leave town, but, being a man of courage, he remained and quietly
carried on his plans. In order to procure recruits it was necessary to
have them come to his house after night to enlist. In this way the reg¬
iment was enrolled, and to these men belongs the credit of preserving
the lives and property of the people of Warren county.

The utmost precaution did not, however, prevent occasional raids
into the country, and the well disciplined and active militia were con¬
stantly kept on the move in order to checkmate the enemy.

BURNING OF RED HILL BRIDGE.

On a dark night in August, 1861, the citizens of Warrenton were
brought to a full realization of what real war signified. About midnight
a party of guerrillas rode through the town, proceeded immediately
to Red Hill bridge on the North Missouri Railroad, set fire to the
structure, waited until there was no longer any question as to the total
destruction of the bridge, and then dashed out of town in the dark¬
ness. The object of the raiders was to prevent the transportation of
troops to St. Louis, whither many Kansas and Missouri regiments

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

991

were being forwarded, but in this they were disappointed, as but a
temporary delay was occasioned, the bridge being speedily re¬
placed.

THE WRIGHT CITY RAID.

In September, 1863, an event occurred which, to this day, is the
subject of comment and discussion, as to who was responsible for
the burning of a portion of the village of Wright City.

The Union militia learning that a small band of the Confederates
were encamped in the timber, about two miles west of that place,
determined to attempt their capture under command of Capt. Joseph
L. Fant.

The militia surrounded the woods and began to close in upon the
guerrillas. Believing their capture inevitable, the Confederates made
a bold dash for liberty. They charged the Union line, kept up a rapid
firing, which was as hotly returned, but under cover of smoke and
excitement the party escaped, although one of them was severely
wounded, and afterwards killed.

In the skirmish William Berchlage, a member of the militia com¬
pany, and who lived near the Boone’s Lick road, about four miles from
the scene of the fight, was instantly killed. These Confederates it
was known had been provisioned by citizens of Wright City, reports
to that effect having been heard for some time prior to the attack in
the woods. This fact, and the killing of Berchlage, incensed the
militia, who determined to avenge the death of their comrade, and at
the same time attempt to prevent the extension of further aid and
comfort to the roaming bands of bushwhackers. News of the death
of Berchlage soon reached Wright City, and the people there feared
that the town would be attacked. Runners were sent over into Lin¬
coln county where Capt. John E. Ball was encamped with a company
of Union men, and he was requested to repair at once to the town to
protect its people. Capt. Ball, accompanied by Lieut. H. H. Schaper
and a portion of his command, immediately started overland, but ar¬
rived too late to prevent the destruction of a few buildings owned by
men who were well known sympathizers with the rebellion. The
militia rode to the village, repaired to the Baptist Church, which was
known as a rallying place for the Confederate element of that vicinity,
applied the torch, then fired the blacksmith shop of Clint Bryan, a
well known and active Confederate sympathizer. The next victim was
one Bill Kennedy, who kept a saloon, and was a notorious rebel.
This building was also fired, and the three structures burned to the
ground.

992

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

But for the timely arrival of Capt. Ball, who advised the maddened
militia quietly to withdraw, there is no doubt that Wright City would
have been entirely destroyed.

FIRING INTO A RAILROAD TRAIN.

Shortly after the battle of Carthage, which occurred on July 5,
1861, a train load of Union soldiers was dispatched from St. Louis,
to re-enforce the army commanded by Gen. Franz Sigel. News of
their approach reached Warren county in advance of the troops, and
the Confederate element of the county determined to attack the train.
In response to the request of several prominent Southern sympathizers,
who had sent runners into the county on every side, a great crowd of
their followers congregated along the North Missouri Railroad track,
and were distributed at convenient points, to await the arrival of
the Union soldiers. When the train reached a point just west
of Foristell, in St. Charles county, a murderous fire was opened
upon it, and this mode of attack continued for several miles. The
occupants of the train, at first taken by surprise, replied to the
straggling fire with volley after volley of musketry, and in the course
of the fight, it is said, severely wounded several of the yeomanry of
Warren county. Thomas Edwards, a son of a prominent Confederate,
was one of the attacking party, and while concealed behind a rail
fence was mortally wounded by a shot from the train. He was found
near a pond about three miles west of Wright City, and died within a
day or two after the attack. Great excitement followed this occur¬
rence. Rumors of retaliatory measures on the part of the militia were
rife, and the utmost consternation prevailed among those who had
been concerned in making the onslaught upon the train. Many men
left their homes, owing to a wholesome fear that thev would be called
upon by the indignant Union soldiers of the county militia, and made
their way to Price’s army. This open declaration of war, of course,
had the effect to arouse the Union men of the vicinity, who now
began to perfect organizations for their own protection. It became
necessary to arm and thoroughly equip troops for constant service,
and the enlistment of Union men began in earnest. These organized
companies were in a short time ready for field service, and their readi¬
ness served to repress the daring acts of the Confederates, which at
one time threatened to engulf the county in a bloody war.

Early in the spring of 1862, the army commanded by Brig. -Gen.
Pope, numbering about 10,000 men, marched through the town of
Warrenton, and went into camp at Truesdale. The sound of the bugle
and the fife and drum was inspiriting as well as encouraging to the

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

993

Union men of* the village, who vied with each other in extending
every kindness and courtesy to both officers and men, in which
patriotic duty they were assisted by the loyal ladies of Warrenton.

SKIRMISH AT DR. BRISCOE’S.

On March 20, 1862, was fought what is known as the skirmish
at Briscoe’s farm, about three miles north of Marthasville. A man
named James Henderson came into Warren county soliciting and drill¬
ing recruits for the Southern army. He was outspoken and fearless
in his labors to aid the cause of rebellion, and having previously
escaped from a squad of Union militia, it was determined to again
effect his capture. About 30 men of the Third Missouri cavalry
left Warrenton for the farm of Dr. Briscoe, where Henderson was
reported to be with several companions. The house was surrounded
and a surrender demanded. The demand was answered by a volley
of shots from the house, when a general fire was concentrated on
the building. The skirmish was of short duration, however, when
the militia captured the entire party. Henderson was badly wounded,
and being brought to Warrenton, was placed in the hospital, where
he died a few days after. In this fight private Conrad Drunert,
bugler of Capt. McFadden’s company, was seriously wounded.

In July, 1864, an entire army corps, commanded by Maj.-Gen.
A. J. Smith, with banners proudly floating in the breeze, came over
the hills from the west, and marching through Warrenton camped
about a mile east of town. There were fully 15,000 veterans in the
ranks, and the effects of hard service were plainly visible in their
appearance. Again the patriotic men and women of Warrenton did
everything possible to add to the comfort of the grizzled heroes of an
hundred battles, and although their stay was short the army had no
cause to complain of the treatment extended to them by citizens of
Warrenton.

In August, 1862, Capt. Joseph L. Fant, of Warrenton, organized a
company of volunteers for the Union army, which was afterwards known
as Co. K, Thirty-second Missouri infantry, and the roster of his
company contained the names of the following residents of Warren
county: David F. Carson, first sergeant ; Henry M. Arnell, second
corporal; Martin S. Copenhaven, third sergeant ; Archibald C. Mc¬
Kinnon, first corporal ; Charles F. Holbach, third corporal ; Charles
Wasserman, sixth corporal.

Privates. — Joseph R. Arnell, William Brown, Samuel C. Cope,
Arthur L. Cravens, John L. Dandridge, John Friebe, John D. Hum-

994

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

pliries, George Reunion, Hendrick A. Seipp, A. J. McWilliams,
James Mackintzer, Joseph Peterson, William Roberts, John A. M.
Ray, James Stacks, August Salva, John Snyder, Columbus Y. John¬
son, Robert W. Stewart, Joseph B. Arthur, William Bryant, George
Edmunds, Charles Oaks, Thomas P. P. Wilson.

In response to a call for volunteers issued during the winter of
1862, Capt. J. W. McFadden organized what was afterwards known
as Co. F., Third Missouri cavalry. The following Warren county
residents enlisted in this company.

Captain, James W. McFadden ; first lieutenant, Samuel W. Hop¬
kins ; second lieutenant, Frederick Huckride. Sergeants, John S.
Moody, Thomas J. Tidswell, Frederick Frodeman, Henry Wegner,
John Shaw, John B. Wehmeyer, Ernst Leineker, Isaiah Baldridge.
Corporals — George Shepard, Ernst Schoenbaum, Ernst Lefholtz,
August Shellhorn, Noah Smith, Henry Cordis, Charles Engermann,
Wrilliam Dee. Buglers — Frederick Brunert, William Reese. Pri¬
vates — Anton Baumer, John D. Brieker, Edwin Barr, Frederick
Backhaus, Samuel M. Barton, James Conway, Rodney Cameron, An¬
gus Cowan, Henry Dreyer, Frederick Dehart, Conrad Drunert, Ernest
Dothage, Henry Dickme}^er Frederick Farre, Herman Yeith, Henry
Veith, August Fisher, Benjamin Francis, Jos. Guggenmoos, Benjamin
Hoensbreak, August Hallman, Simon Hill, Charles Hanke, Wilford
Johnson, August Karenbrock, John Lee, James McGuire, Thomas
Moran, Malcom Martin, Herman Morhaus, William Nichols, Frede¬
rick Rogers, William Pritchett, Hiram Stacy, William Shepard,
Charles Speckmann, Frederick Stumeier, Louis Stoneberger, Frede¬
rick Schroeder, Joseph R. Speed, James L. Sterritt, Charles Timmer-
berg, Andrew Thompson, Joshua Thompson, Charles Wegner, John
Whalen, Frederick Wegner, Frank Wipfer, William Werman, Yogt
Henry, Ernest Upmeyer.

Lieut. Hopkins was taken prisoner at Cedar creek, as also were
Sergts. Wegner and Shaw, Corporals Shepard and Privates Drunert,
Dickmeyer, Fosse, Herman, Yeith, Fisher, Guggenmoos, Hollman,
Hill, Johnson, Karenbock, Lee, Morhaus, Schroeder and Yogt.

Lieut. Huckride resigned his commission in November, 1863, and re¬
turned home. Private Henry Dreyer was killed in the battle at Roche-
port, Mo. Private Conrad Drunert was wounded and taken prisoner
at Cedar creek, and afterward killed at Rocheport. Private Thomas
Moran was tried for shooting a comrade and sentenced to imprison¬
ment in the penitentiary at Alton, Ill., for three years. The follow¬
ing members of the regiment have died since the war : Herman Rein-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

995

iska, William Pothorst, Herman Nolte, Herman Backhaus, John
Mahoney, DeWitt Cameron, Henry Hoppy.

The regiment was organized for duty in Missouri, though it was sub¬
ject to call for active campaigning wherever required. The regiment
was engaged in pursuing bushwhackers and guerrillas during most of
its term of service, and it distinguished itself on many historical oc¬
casions. Among the engagements in which it took part were : At
Briscoe’s, March 20, 1862 ; Kirksville, Mo., August 6, 1862 ; Auxvasse
Church, October 15, 1862 ; Cedar Creek, April 20, 1863; Patterson,
Mo., April 21, 1863 ; Chalk Bluffs, Ark., April 30, 1863 ; Pocahontas
raid in August, 1863, during which the regiment captured Gen. Jeff
Thompson and his entire staff; Eveningshade, Ark., October, 1863;
Ripley, Mo., December 25, 1863; Spring Creek, Ark., March, 1864;
Walnut Grove Church, September, 1864; Wingoe’s Farm, September
10, 1864 ; Rocheport, Mo., September 23, 1864 ; Osage River, October
5, 1864 ; Tipton, October 10, 1864 ; Independence, October 22, 1864 ;
Cherokee Bay, May 1, 1864.

The field officers of the regiment were : Colonel, Edwin Smart ;
lieutenant-colonel, Frederick Morsey ; major, R. Z. Woodson; adju¬
tant, Henry C. Campbell.

Company F acquitted itself upon every occasion with the utmost
bravery. The men were recruited from the flower of the county,
and never failed to do their full measure of duty.

Among other soldiers of the Federal army who enlisted from
Warren county, in various Missouri regiments, were J. H. Koelling,
who was elected county clerk in 1881 ; Charles Yogt, who died in the
rebel prison at Andersonville ; Charles Neihaus, who was also an An-
dersonville victim ; Henry Meine, who was killed in the attack on
Spanish Fort, in Mobile Bay; John M. Koelling, who died in the
hospital at Montgomery, Ala. ; Henry Neihaus, Charles Knipmeyer,
William Veith, Frederick Albert, Ernst Fasse, Thomas Childs, James
McIntyre, Joseph P. Childs, Samuel Wright, George B. Turner, J.
W. Delventhal, Charles Ruge, William Ruge, Dr. Julius Ruge, Louis
Wild, who was an orderty on the staff of Gen. A. J. Smith ; Churchill
Strother, previous to the war a leading physician of Warrenton and
surgeon of the Thirty-first Missouri infantry.

COLORED RECRUITS.

Hiram Thurman, James Callaway, Milton Lemme, Price Sanders,
Virgie Stewart, Henry Pratt, Henry Kenner, William Travis, Samuel
Logan, Jacob Kountze, Porter Kountze.

996

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

The Confederate army received quite a number of recruits from
Warren county, and herewith will be found the names of all that
could be learned : —

P. P. Stewart, Simeon Kent, J. C. Kent, Thomas Hudson, W. A.

Coleman, - Pritchard, Robert Tanner, John Waller, Capt. George

Carter, Thomas B. Archer, Clay Taylor, Charles C. Custer, Lewis
Jones, H. C. Painter, Tyler Painter, Robert Pratt, Guyon Kennedy,
Nathaniel Kennedy, Todd Black, Reuben Devore, William Spires,

Boss Eldridge, John Bell, James Bell, - Bates, - Duckworth,

Wash Gibson, Wm. Lyons, Joseph Lyons.

During the entire war the German residents of Warren county were
conspicuous for their devotion to the cause of the Union. To a man
their sympathies were with the North, and they gallantly supported
their convictions by responding generously to the call for troops to
defend their adopted country.

The animosities resulting from the four years of strife have been
long since buried, and to-day a happier and more contented commun¬
ity than the people of Warren county would be difficult to find.
With the close of hostilities the soldiers of both armies returned to
the quiet pursuits of civil life, and manfully endeavored to build up
the material interests of the county, which had been seriously inter¬
fered with and injured by four years of warfare and its attendant
evils.

CHAPTER YI.

CRIMINAL RECORD.

The Foster Case — Killing of a Negro by Wra. Foster — Trial and Conviction of Fos¬
ter — Decision Reversed — Second Trial and Sentence of Death — Execution — The
Taylor Murder — Daniel Price, the Murderer — His Death on the Gallows — Mur¬
der of John Hartgen — Shooting of Col. Meyer — Murder of Mrs. Callihan.

That community is indeed fortunate whose records contain no refer¬
ence to dark and bloody deeds that startle and horrify the quiet and
law-abiding members of society. The instincts of the criminal are
apt to develop even in the most moral of communities. There can be
no preventative of crime before the act, except the law of the land,
and when the cupidity or jealousy of the human mind disregards the
law and men commit overt acts against the peace and well-being of
society, their particular localities, while unfortunate in being the
scene of such violations, must be forgotten, and while regretting the .
fact, its people must unite to punish crime, maintain the majesty of
the law and keep inviolate the axiom of “ a life for a life.”

Warren county has always been famous for speedy and exact
justice. While the county has not been free from crime, merited
punishment has been the rule for all who transgressed the law. In¬
cluded in this chapter will be found reference to the leading criminal
trials which have occupied the attention of the courts in the past, one
or two of which were murders sensational in their details, and mon¬
strous in their conception.

THE FOSTER CASE.

Sunday, August 29, 1875, was a day of intense excitement in the
town of Warrenton. On the morning of that day Mr. Peter Barnes,
the telegraph operator at the depot, while strolling along the track in
company with a friend, was horrified and startled at discovering the
dead body of a negro lying just inside the right of way of the St.
Louis, Kansas City and Northern Railway, about one mile east of the
town. The body was viewed by the proper officers, and the verdict
of the coroner's jury was that death had resulted from a gun-shot
wound in the back of the head at the hands of a person to them un-

(997)

998

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

known. No one recognized the body, and the shot which had proved »
so fatal had evidently been fired from the rear.

The officers began a systematic search for a clew, and were eventu¬
ally rewarded by the statement of James K. Avis, who stated that on
Saturday before the killing he was hauling wood to Warrenton, and,
when near the residence of Jesse McCann, he was accosted by a white
man, who inquired the way to Lost Creek. He gave him the proper
direction, and at the same time inquired the stranger’s name, who re¬
plied that his name was William Foster. The man pulled a watch
from his pocket, ascertained the time, and then asked Mr. Avis if he
did not want to buy a gun. He stated that he had carried it a long
way and it was getting heavy, so he left it a short distance back.

Mr. Avis, at the stranger’s request, told him he would keep the gun
for him, whereupon the stranger handed him a small quantity of shot,
a powder flask and a box of caps, and, returning down the road about
100 yards, pulled a short single-barreled gun, with a strap attached
to it, out from under the bottom rail of a worm-fence, where he had
hidden it. Mr. Avis gave the officers a minute description of the
man’s dress and appearance, and search for the mysterious individual
began at once. Constable George W. Dyer traced him to Lost
Creek, and thence to Loutre Island, where lie placed him under arrest.

Being locked up in jail, Foster, after a time, confessed to Sheriff
John A. Howard, and also to W. L. Morsey, prosecuting attorney
of the county, that he killed the negro.

The trial began at the November term of the circuit court of
Warren county. Monda}^, November 22, the case was called, the
jury sworn, and after an able defense, during which every possible
effort was made in his behalf, he was found guilty and sentenced by
Judge W. W. Edwards to be hanged on Friday, January 14, 1876.

Sheriff* Howard proceeded with his arrangements for the execution.
The district court affirmed the decision of the lower court and the
law-abiding citizens of the county were confident that the majesty of
the law would be established, when they were astounded by the
receipt of a dispatch granting a stay of execution. So fully was the
guilt of Foster established and so confident were the people that he
would suffer the penalty of his crime at the time appointed, that
crowds began to pour into Warrenton on the day selected for his
execution.

Prosecuting Attorney Morsey, who had so ably represented the
people on the trial of the case, immediately went before the Supreme
Court at St. Louis and at once applied for a writ of habeas corpus, with

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

999

a view of having the prisoner re-sentenced. He returned home and
within a few days received a telegram stating that the Supreme Court
had reversed the decision and remanded the case of Foster, which, of
course, necessitated a second hearing of the testimony. The second
trial of the case began on Tuesday, April 26, 1876, before Judge
Edwards and a jury. No attempt was made to introduce any new
evidence on behalf of the prisoner. He was ably defended by P. P.
Stewart, Joseph L. Fant and Trusten Dyer ; but the jury again found
him guilty of murder in the first degree, and he was sentenced by the
court to be hanged on Monday, June 19, 1876.

Foster was a native of Callaway county, and at the time of his
death was about 26 years of age. His conduct during both trials, his
actions while confined in the St. Charles county jail, whither he had
been taken for safe keeping ; his demeanor while upon the scaffold
and the various low instincts exhibited by him subsequent to his
arrest, stamped him as a degraded and dangerous character. At
Wright City, while the train on which he was being brought to
Warrenton stopped at the depot, several men and boys crowded up
to the car window to get a sight of the felon, when with an oath
he dashed his manacled hands through the window and came very
near mutilating the faces of those who were standing near.

Arriving at Warrenton on Saturday evening preceding the day ap¬
pointed for the execution, he was left to the solitude of his cell and
the gloomy forebodings of a conscience which during his confinement
had impressed all who had seen him with the idea that he was a man
whose death would be a boon to society. He was visited on Sun¬
day by a number of prayerful people, who sought to prepare him for
the awful experience of the following day. He continued to exhibit
the same spirit of desperate bravado that had characterized him
since his arrest, although he ate heartily and slept soundly during
the night.

At 10 minutes after 7 on Monday morning, June 19, Sheriff
Howard made his appearance at the cell door to escort the doomed
man to the place of execution, guarded by a body of armed men.

On the scaffold Sheriff Howard read the death warrant, amidst a
painful stillness, during which Foster surveyed the crowd steadily.

After a few remarks by Foster, in which he claimed the injustice of
his punishment, and after prayer by several of the clergymen pres¬
ent, Deputy Sheriff Cooke strapped the culprit’s legs together above
the knees and at the ankles, and at Foster’s request tied handker¬
chiefs over his eyes and mouth. At 7 :35 the fatal noose was ad-

1000

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

justed and the black cap drawn down over his face, shutting out the
light of heaven forever from his view. Sheriff Howard pushed the
lever and at exactly 7 : 37 William Foster had gone to the presence of
his Creator.

The identity of the murdered man never was established, although
every effort was made to ascertain who he was.

THE TAYLOR MURDER.

Foster suffered the penalty of his crime on Monday, July 19, 1876.
The community breathed easier, and there was a general hope that
Warren county had satisfactorily demonstrated that lawlessness and
crime could not be committed with impunity within its borders.

But on the very next day another deliberate and premeditated kill¬
ing occurred near Pinckney, in the south end of the county.

A white man named Samuel Taylor lived with his wife and several
children in a hut on the Pinckney bottoms, about two miles from the
Missouri river. In the vicinity lived a negro named Daniel Price.
For some time Taylor had suspected that Price was criminally inti¬
mate with his wife, and as the testimony afterward showed, had
spoken to several friends regarding the matter. On the day that
Foster was hung at Warrenton, Taylor and his wife had a quarrel.
Taylor took his fishing tackle and started for the Missouri river.
Shortly after his departure Price, who had heard of the quarrel, went
over, but returned in a few moments, remarking to a friend that Tay¬
lor and his wife had had a “fuss.” Price then loaded his gun and
started off in the direction of Taylor’s house for the purpose, as he
said, of securing a squirrel for supper.

Nothing more was seen or heard of Price until the next morning,
when he returned without any game, and explained his absence by
saying that he built a fire and laid down and slept until morning.
Shortly after Price’s return Mrs. Taylor, accompanied by one of
Price’s daughters, came to the house after some flour, and informed
an aged negro, “ Uncle Dick,” that her husband hadn’t come back the
night before. Dick remarked to Mrs. Taylor that he had staid by
himself all night without anything to eat. The woman then inquired
where Price was all night, and was told that he didn’t get back until
daylight. Soon after this Price went to a neighbor’s to go to work.

The news of the finding of Taylor’s body was taken to Warrenton,
and W. L. Morsey, the prosecuting attorney, accompanied by an
officer, immediately repaired to the neighborhood, and began an in¬
vestigation, which resulted in the arrest of Price as the murderer, and

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1001

Mrs. Taylor as accessory after the act. They were brought to War-
renton, and confined in the county jail. Price, through the assistance
of two negro girls, Lucy and Martha Gordey, who had passed a hatchet
and file to him, succeeded in breaking jail. He was accompanied in
his flight from justice by two white men named Kampman and Slattery,
who were awaiting trial for a burglary committed at Wright City. Sheriff
Howard instantly offered a reward of $150 for the apprehension of the
criminals, and called upon the Governor, who also offered a reward for
their recapture. The case was taken up by Mr. Joseph Myers, of
Wright City, who followed the fugitives, Price and Kampman, and
finally after a chase of two weeks, ran the negro down at Upper Alton,
Ill., where Mr. Myers, in company with William Wells, city marshal
of Alton, recaptured him. Slattery was arrested in St. Louis, but
Kampman succeeded in evading the officers. Price was brought back
to his old quarters in the Warrenton jail on the night of October 30.

On the trial, which began on Tuesday, November 21, 1876, a perfect
case was proved against him. The principal witness on behalf of the
people, was Maggie Price, a daughter of the prisoner, who stated
that, having done the terrible deed, Price went to the house where
Taylor had lived, and where Mrs. Taylor and herself were sleeping,
and she then saw Price thrust Taylor’s pocket book through the chink¬
ing of the house, and afterwards heard him tell Mrs. Taylor that he
had put Sam (Taylor) in a place where he would never get out — in a
place deeper than the house.

The woman was tried and sentenced to the State penitentiary for 25
years. On the journey to Jefferson City she made a full confession,
in which she admitted the truth of Maggie Price’s testimony, and also
related that Price told her that he and Taylor were standing upon the
river bank, and Taylor was looking at the headlight of a train across
the river on the Pacific railroad. As he stood in that position, Price
slipped up behind him, struck him with the gun, then stabbed him,
threw him into the river and watched him until he sunk, and before
throwing the body into the river he took Taylor’s pocket book off the
body, thinking there might be money in it. Visited in the cell, Price
denied any criminal intimacy with the woman, denied that he killed
Taylor, but said he would rather die than live.

He was sentenced to be hanged by Judge Edwards on January 18,
1877, and upon that day expiated his crime upon the same gibbet from
vvhich in mid air the body of Foster had dangled six months before.

In all that is inhumanly diabolical, degraded and brutal, this crime
has but few parallels in the criminal history of the country, and the

1002

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

speedy and exact justice meted out to the offenders reflected honor
upon all the officers of the law who took part in ridding the world of
the monsters.

The woman Taylor was pardoned out of the penitentiary during the
fall of 1883, by Lieut. -Gov. Campbell.

THE MURDER OF JOHN HARTGEN.

Warrenton was again startled on the afternoon of Saturday, Sep¬
tember 21, 1879, by a report that murder had been committed on her
main thoroughfare. Crowds ran to the saloon of Joseph Guggenmoose,
where upon the floor was stretched the dead body of John Hartgen, a
blacksmith. He had been shot by a pistol fired by one George Lee.

Lee was at once arrested by Sheriff Sam Cook and lodged in the
county jail. At the coroner’s inquest the following facts were de¬
veloped: —

The prisoner Lee owed the murdered man a small bill, and meeting
in the saloon Hartgen requested Lee to pay him. Some discussion
followed as to the correctness of the bill, which finally resulted in a
quarrel. After some further parley Lee walked away. Hartgen then
took a pistol out of his pocket and placed it under the counter, and
was standing at the counter conversing with a friend. At this moment
Lee returned to the open door of the saloon, and pointing a revolver
squarely at Hartgen, with a frightful oath upon his lips, fired. Hart-
gen clasped his hands over his heart and reeling away from the
counter fell to the floor a corpse.

The coroner’s jury found a verdict of murder. Lee was held with-
out bail to answer.

About dusk on Monday, September 23, the citizens of Warrenton
were again alarmed, and this time by reports that a mob was organ¬
izing to take Lee from the jail and hang him.

Throughout the evening men were noticed coming into the village

C o O O

from everv direction, and at an early hour the crowd, numbering about
60, organized, and with faces disguised by masks, proceeded to the
court house yard and surrounded the jail. Sheriff Sam. B. Cook,
against the advice of his friends, repaired to the court house, and was
at first refused admittance, but finally made his way to his office.
Securing his pistols, he returned to the court house steps, and, ad¬
dressing the crowd, advised them to disperse, promising that the
prisoner should speedily be brought to trial. After some hesitation,
his advice was taken, the would-be lynchers departed, and thus ended
what at one time foreboded lasting disgrace to Warren county.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1003

The counsel for the accused obtained a change of venue and Lee
was taken to the St. Charles county jail. (

The case against the prisoner was considered a strong one, but
when the trial began at the March term of the court, 1880, the wit¬
nesses who had sworn that Hartgen put away his revolver, came on
the stand and made oath that when the deceased was picked up
a pistol was found on the floor near where he fell.

The jury, in view of this fact, brought in a verdict of acquittal, and
Lee was discharged.

Great indignation followed the verdict, and Lee left the country
never to return.

THE SHOOTING OF COL. MEYER.

On Sunday, April 18, 1877, in an altercation which took place on
the main street of Warrenton, Col. Ferdinand Meyer was shot by
Nat. C. Dryden, a well known attorney of the town. Col. Meyer
was Collector of United States Internal Revenue, and resided at St.
Louis. He had come out to Warrenton in search of an alleged illicit
distillery, with a view of making an arrest if necessary, and was
accordingly armed. While walking along the street he was addressed,
as he conceived, in a scurrilous or insulting manner by Dryden, and
walking up to the attorney, demanded an explanation. Dryden denied
that he had insulted the irate Colonel. The latter then grasped Dry¬
den by the lapel of his coat, when Dryden knocked him down. As
Meyer arose from the ground he made an effort to get his revolver,
but was told by Dryden that if he pulled it he would shoot him.
Nothing daunted by this warning, Col. Meyer made another effort
to get his revolver, when Dryden fired at short range, the ball strik¬
ing his antagonist in the mouth, and plowing its way through his
head, came out at the base of the skull. He fell to the ground, and
when picked up, still had his hand in his hip pocket, as though
endeavoring to get his pistol, which was found upon his person. Dry¬
den delivered himself to the sheriff, was placed under bonds, and
formally indicted. He took a change of venue to St. Louis county,
where he was tried and acquitted on the ground of self-defense.
Col. Meyer eventually recovered from the effects of his wound, which
left him deformed for life.

MURDER OF MRS. CALLIHAN.

On Monday, September 22, 1851, Mrs. Callihan, wife of ’Squire
Callihan, of Pinckney township, was murdered at her residence by a

1004

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

slave called Isaac. Mrs. Callihan was quite old and infirm, and in her
struggles to prevent the wretch from carrying out a fiendish purpose,
made an outcry, when the brutal desperado choked her to death.
His arrest speedily followed. He was indicted, regularly tried, found
guilty of murder in the first degree, and sentenced, on September
24th, by Judge Carty Wells, to be hanged on November 14, 1851.
On that day he was hanged by Sheriff Jonathan D. Jordan, in the
presence of a great crowd, who came to witness the first legal hang¬
ing that had taken place in Warren county.

THE BEVINS SHOOTING.

One of the most peculiar cases on record was the shooting of Mr.
Bevins who lived in the vicinity of Smith creek, where it is intersected
by the Holstein road. Mr. Bevins was sick, and confined to his bed.
He owned several slaves, and one of the negroes conceived the idea of
shooting him while asleep. Bevins had used some harsh language to
the fellow, and he was thirsting for revenge. Proceeding to carry
out his design, he procured a shot gun, took a position outside the
window of the room where his master was lying, and deliberately shot
him. He was captured, but Bevins realizing that he must die, got
one of his neighbors named Kountze, to take the negro to New Or-
leans, where Kountze sold him for $1,000 and brought the money
home to the family of the murdered man. The negro was never in¬
dicted, and his victim was buried before the officers of the law knew
of the facts.

CHAPTER VII.

POLITICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

Introduction — Early Political Customs — Chronicles of the Campaign of 1866 — How
“ Joe ” Fount Collected his Mileage — Presidential Election of 1866 — Official Di¬
rectory — Ecclesiastical Introduction — The Old Log Church near Hopewell —
Pioneer Religious Customs — The Churches of the County.

In the early political history of Warren county, party lines were sub¬
stantially unknown. Personal fitness and character were the recom¬
mendations that commanded the suffrages of the people. Politics at
that time had not been recognized as a legitimate business — promis¬
ing to the shrewd party managers a division of the spoils, resulting
from party success — votes were cast for men of character irrespect¬
ive of party affiliation, and in consequence the body politic was not
burdened with the corrupt and demoralizing associations and ideas
that have been so prominent in the political history of the last 40
years. The art of “ how to get the other fellow’s man out, and yours
in,” had not been discovered and the science of political chicanery had
no followers among the patriotic citizens of the time.

Candidates enjoyed the most friendly relations with each other, and
traveled about in pairs from town to town, discussing opposite sides
of the questions at issue in the local campaign. The acrimony and
ill feeling that now predominates during these canvasses was unknown,
and it may be said with truth, these were the halycon days of politics.

The early history of Warren county has left no record of the many
campaigns that doubtless brought into prominence countless embryo
statesmen, but it is a fact that previous to the War of the Rebellion,
the county was classed as Democratic. At this time the population
was largely German, and the dominant party lost its hold upon the
county, as the Germans then afterward voted the Republican ticket,
and the county has remained consistent in that faith, and has always
given large Republican majorities.

One of the most exciting campaigns of the county was the election
of November 4, 1866, which was memorable not only for the great
interest exhibited by the contending parties, but also for the humor
developed during the canvass.

In the Warrenton Banner of September 13, 1866, there appeared

(1005)

1006

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

an article entitled “Chronicles,’ ’ written in the style of the scriptural
book of that title, in which were narrated in a humorous manner,
personal characteristics of the candidates on the Republican or “Radi¬
cal ” ticket, with prognostications of defeat for that party, given in a
way that attracted universal attention. These articles appeared weekly
until after the election. They were written by Peter P. Stewart of
Warrenton, whose efforts elicited a “chronicle” from Philip W.
Kohler in reply, which was at once accorded the merit of literary
ability, and occasioned great merriment throughout the county.

The contest in this canvass was entirely confined to a factional fight
in the Republican ranks, the principal interest being centered in the
offices of probate judge 1 and member of the Legislature. The can¬
didates were Henry Parker and J. H. Faulconer forjudge, and Joseph
L. Pant and C. A. Kuhl for the Legislature.

The vote for probate judge was as follows: Henry Parker, 579 ;
John H. Faulconer, 515 ; Parker’s majority, 64.

The charge was openly made that while Mr. Faulconer was a member
of the Legislature, he introduced, and succeeded in having passed, a bill
creating the office of probate judge, for the purpose of filling it him¬
self, and upon this charge he was defeated.

The vote for member of the Legislature was: Joseph L. Fant, 385 ;
C. A. Kuhl, 381 ; Fant’s majority, 4.

Mr. Kuhl immediately gave notice of contest, and in the testimony
before the justices of the peace who heard the case, succeeded in
proving to the satisfaction of the court, that Fant had received five
or six illegal votes, whereupon the certificate was issued to Kuhl.
Fant then carried the contest to Jefferson City, where the committee
on elections, after hearing the facts, sustained Kuhl, who retained his
seat.

A good story is told of Fant’s success in securing pay and mileage
for the time spent at Jefferson City in endeavoring to secure his seat.
After the decision of the committee in favor of Kuhl, Mr. Appleby,
member from Scotland county, moved that Mr. Fant be allowed the
regular pay and mileage, amounting to nearly $300. The proposition
carried. During a conversation between Dr. William Adams, mem¬
ber from Butler county, and Mr. Alsop, of Douglas, which occurred
immediately after adjournment, Mr. Alsop remarked that the idea of

1 The office of probate judge was created by special act of the Legislature in 1866,
following which Henry Parker was elected first judge of the court. He filled the
office until 1875, when he was superseded by D. P. Dyer, who served four years, re¬
linquishing the office in 1879, when Mr. Parker was again elected, and is still serving.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1007

paying contestants in that manner was all wrong, and that in his opin¬
ion, so long as the practice was maintained, the House would be bored
with expensive contests. He also declared his intention of moving on
the following day that the vote granting Fant the allowance be recon¬
sidered. Adams, who was a friend of Fant, at once went to him, and
suggested that he had better see Alsop in regard to the matter.
Fant replied, “Let him reconsider; it’s a matter of no conse¬
quence to me. I’ve got the money in my trousers pocket, and
he can move a reconsideration and be hanged.” The House after
making the donation to Fant had adjourned late in the afternoon,
but, nevertheless, Fant had secured a voucher, had it signed by
the Speaker, properly audited, and had drawn his money before
evening, and his rapid manner of transacting business, especially
when personally interested, brought out the remark from a well
known member of the House, that Joe Fant would never require
a guardian.

The highest vote cast at the election of 1868 was for the Presiden¬
tial candidates, which aggregated 1,212. Grant’s majority was 486.

For Governor. — McClurg, Republican, received 819 votes and
Phelps, Democrat, 383 votes ; McClurg’s majority, 434.

For Congress. — Dyer, Republican, received 827 votes and Switzler,
Democrat, 376 votes; Dyer’s majority, 451.

For Circuit Attorney . — Peers, Republican, received 585 votes and
Carkner, Democrat, 531 votes ; Peers’ majority, 54.

For the Legislature. — Muench, Republican, received 602 and
Dryden, Democrat, 577 votes; Muench’s majority, 25.

For Sheriff. — McFadden, Republican, received 719 votes and Gar¬
rett, Democrat, 481 votes ; McFadden’s majority, 238.

For Assessor. — Ruge, Republican, received 527, Hofer, Democrat,
128, and Thurman, Independent, 428 votes; Ruge’s majority, 99.

For County Surveyor. — Schmidt, Republican, received 626, Ritter,
Democrat, 529, and Pitzer, Independent, 20 votes; Schmidt’s ma¬
jority, 77.

For Coroner. — Middelkamp, Democrat, received 239 and Einebeck,
Republican, 550 votes ; Einebeck’s majority, 311.

For School Commissioner. — Roeil, Democrat, received 108, Bur¬
ger, Republican, 669, and Hinds, Independent, 123 votes; Burger’s
majority, 438.

For Public Administrator. — Pendleton, Democrat, received 287
and Howell, Republican, 733; Howell’s majority, 446.

1008

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.

Circuit Court Judges . — P. H. McBride, 1833 to 1836 ; Ezra Hunt,
1836 to 1848 ; Carty Wells, 1848 to 1857 ; A. H. Buckner, 1857 to
1862 ; Thomas J. C. Fagg, 1862 to 1866 ; Giles Porter, 1866 to
1871 ; W. W. Edwards, 1871 to 1884.

Circuit Court Clerk. — Gus. Reiche, 1868 to 1873; R. J. Gump,
1873 to 1874 ; Buckley Liveseg, 1874 to 1884.

County Clerks. — Carty Wells, 1833 to 1837 ; Jos. B. Wells, 1837
to 1841 ; Eli Carter, 1841 to 1847 ; Thomas J. Marshall, 1847 to
1865; A. P. Frowein, 1865 to 1867 ; George Block, 1867 to 1881 ;
John H. Koelling, 1881.

Sheriffs. — Absalom Hays, 1833 to 1839 ; Benoni McClure, 1840
to 1842; Anthony Wyatt, 1842 to 1844; Absalom Hays, 1844 to
1846 ; Jonathan D. Gordon, 1846 to 1852 ; William James, 1852 to
1856 ; Robert J. Huston, 1856 to 1858 ; Creed T. Archer (appointed),
1858 to 1864; Paul Schmidt, 1864 to 1866; J. W. McFadden, 1866
to 1870; Samuel W. Hopkins, 1870 to 1872; Buckley Liveseg, 1872
to 1874 ; John A. Howard, 1874 to 1878 ; S. B. Cook, 1878 to 1882 ;
E. F. Ordelheide, 1882.

Ti ' easurers . — William James and James Hughes, 1833 to 1836;
Joseph B. Wells, 1836 to 1838 ; Eli Carter, 1838 to 1840 ; William
Harper, 1840 to 1842 ; William Harper, 1842 to 1848 ; J. A. Pulliam,
1848 to 1861 ; John H. Faulconer (appointed), 1861 to 1864 ; Chris¬
tian Graf, 1864 to 1866 ; Greenup Jackman, 1866 to 1868 ; John H.
Faulconer, 1868 to 1870 ; Ernst Schowengerdt, 1870 to 1874 ; John
H. Faulconer, 1874 to 1876 ; JohnH. Middelkamp, 1876 to 1884 ; D.
Buckhorst, 1884.

County Court Judges — Tilman Cullom, Thomas N. Graves, Mor¬
gan Bryan, May 20, 1833 ; Tilman Cullom, Thomas N. Graves,
Jared Erwin, Nov. 9, 1834; Thomas N. Graves, Jared Erwin, Til¬
man Cullom, June 20, 1836 ; Thomas N. Graves, Jared Erwin,
James Talbot, Nov. 1, 1836; And. S. Wood, Wm. James, Thomas
N. Graves, May 15, 1838; James L. Simms, Wm. James, Thomas
N. Graves, May 20, 1840; William James, Tilman Cullom, William
Skinner, May 20, 1842; William James, Tilman Cullom, Robert L.
Allen, May, 1844 ; William James, Robert L. Allen, James L. Simms,
May, 1846 ; Joseph G. Waller, James L. Simms, Jared Erwin, May,
1848 ; James L. Simms, Jared Erwin, Royal J. Kennedy, May, 1850 ;
James L. Simms, Jas. Duckworth, Harvey Griswold, May, 1854; Jas.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1009

L. Simms, Jas. Duckworth, J. G. Waller, May, 1856 ; J. G. Waller,
James L. Simms, Royal J. Kennedy, May, 1858 ; Jas. L. Simms, J.
G. Waller, J. W. Me Fadden, May, 1860 ; James L. Simms, E. Min-
drop, J. W. McFadden, May, 1862 ; J. W. McFadden, E. Mindrop,
Jos. Pennington, May, 1864 ; Henry Parker, Herman Ulfers,
Jno. Stoneburger, May, 1866 ; Henry Parker, Robert Howell, Fred¬
erick Dickhaus, May, 1872 ; J. C. Casner, Robert Howell, H. Bier-
baum, May, 1874; J. C. Casner, Fred. Wegener, Henry Middelkamp,
May, 1878 ; J. C. Casner, Fred Wegener, C. T. Archer, May, 1880 :
Fred Wegener, Aug. Dickhaus, Aug. Hollman, May, 1882.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The history of the world is the history of religion. The progress
of civilization is inevitably accompanied by the restraining influences
of the church. The noble and self-sacrificing results of missionary
effort are always among the earliest indications of advancement in
pioneer countries, and the code of morals promulgated eighteen hun¬
dred years ago by Him whose teachings have purified the world, often
find their brightest and truest exemplification among the communities
who first locate in the isolated portions of the earth’s broad domains.

The Sermon on the Mount, which possessed the broad, catholic and
inspired sentiments of law, equity and justice, found among the hardy
pioneer settlers of Warren county, a universal veneration for its tenets
and an honest though rigid enforcement of its principles.

Church service was not looked upon in the light of a task, but ad¬
herence to the holy observance of the Sabbath, and perfect loyalty to
all the precepts of Christianity was the rule.

In the early daj^s, church services were held at the homes of the
settlers, the traveling circuit rider having no stated place in which to
extol the beauties of a Christian life.

Amidst rude surroundings, and in the unpretentious homes of the
settler, was preached the doctrine of faith, hope and charity, to aud¬
iences composed of men and women whose daily life was pufe and
sincere. The same doctrinal principles were here laid down as are
now expounded to the fashionable audiences that fill the costly metro¬
politan church edifices ; the same rules of religious conduct were here
presented, with much more hope of their observance than is found in
this century of free thought and scientific skepticisms.

Below will be found a brief mention of the various churches that
have been organized in the county.

About the year 1831, the people living in the vicinity of Hopewell
erected a large log church, which was not confined to any particular
denomination, but was used freely by all. The structure was also

1010

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

used as a school house, and in this building many of the men who
afterward were famous in the various walks of life, acquired the rudi¬
ments of education. The Hon. John D. S. Dryden, subsequently
one of the justices of the State Supreme Court, and ex-Sheriff John
A. Howard and Jos. L. Fant were among the boys who began their
scholastic careers in this old building.

M. E. Church South at Warrenton — Was constituted as an or¬
ganization in 1840, the original members being A. S. Wood, Eliza¬
beth Wood, Ann M. Tease, James McClenney, Isaac McCleary, Emily
McClennv, Elizabeth Buxton and Ann Smith, which number has since
been increased to 50, the membership at this date. They occupy a
frame church building, erected in 1859 at a total cost of $1,768.07.
Those who have had charge of the congregation as their under shep¬
herd are G. B. Bowman, Jesse Sutton, William Patton, W. Redman,
Joseph H. Pritchett, J. S. Allen, P. D. Vandeventer, L. A. Smith,
J. H. Ledbetter, Henry May, J. M. O’Brien, W. B. Beagle, R. P.
Jones, W. B. Johnson, J. T. McDonald, C. Babcock and C. W. Col¬
lett.

Missionary Baptist Church — At Warrenton, was organized in 1855.
The names of the original members were Albert Johnson and wife,
William Harper and wife, and others. A church was built in 1866
at a cost of $600, and the pastor was Joseph Nichols. The church
society existed for several years under the pastorate of Dr. Nichols,
when the building was sold to the school directors of Warrenton, and
has since been used as a public school.

Frieden Germeinde Church — Was organized in 1878, the names
of the original members being John G. Schranz and wife, Frederick
Fehmeyer and wife, Frederick Fehmeyer, Jr., and wife, Wm. Feh-
mever, August Heidtbrink and wife, James Drewer and wife, Fritz
Seiver and wife. The present frame church building cost $650, and
was dedicated by Frederick Stoeken and Paul Bokelmann. The pres¬
ent membership comprises ten families. The building was originally
constructed in 1864 by the Campbellite association, from whom the
Lutheran Society purchased it.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church — One-half mile south of
Dutzow, in Charrette township, was organized in 1837, its original
members being Bartholomew Roesner, Hr. Dickhaus, Henry Dick-
haus, Francis Krekel, Herman StruckhofF, Messrs. Heller, Roderick,
Schmeucker and others. Fifty families compose the present mem¬
bership. The rectors who have administered to the spiritual needs of
this church have been Revs. Father Buschotz, S. J. ; Father Eisvogel,

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1011

8. J. ; Father Peukert, Father Yan Nierleau, Father Seisl, Father
Wappelhoost, Father Seling, Father Faerber, Father Gockel, Father
Heckman and Father Bertens. The present brick church, their third
building, was built in 1874, costing in the neighborhood of $17,000.
Father Bertens attends to the superintending of the Sunday-school,
which has 50 scholars.

Harmony Church — Located three miles south-east of Pitts, in the
county, was organized in the fall of 1843. The original members
were George H. Wahlbrink, Dr. Brandt, E. Theermann, H. H. Kirkhof,
F. Waltsmath, Henry Bockhorst and E. H. Suhre, and their wives
and others, the two last named being the first trustees. There are 68
families members of this church. The ministers who have served this
congregation as pastors are Karl Strack and Henry S. Feix. The
Sunday-school has 75 scholars, the superintendent being Mr. Fricke.

Evangelical Church at Holstein. — The membership of this church,
organized as far back as 1848, now numbers 78 families. It was
formed through the efforts of Joseph Riegen, and the congregation
first worshiped in a log building, which was burned in 1855. The
same year a brick building was erected at a cost of $2,500, exclusive
of the labor performed by members. In 1884, on account of the in¬
sufficiency of room, this was torn down, and a new brick edifice now
adorns the site of the former one. The sum of $7,000 was expended
towards its construction, not including the help of members, which is
valued at about $3,000. The basement contains two rooms for school
purposes. One is used for the Sabbath-school, which numbers 115
members, superintended by Mr. J. H. Koenig. The original mem¬
bers of this church were G. Hackmann and wife, Henry Hackmann
and wife, Henry Schopedhorst and wife, William Huenefeld and wife,
Frank Heinkamp and wife, Christian Schneider and wife, William
Hasse and wife, and William Bierbaum and wife. The first pastor of
the congregation was Joseph Rieger, who filled the pulpit for 10 years.
He was followed by Gustav Reiche, two years ; Conrad Riess, six
years, J. F. Schierbaum, 11 years, and, lastly^, A. J. H. Bierbaum,
for five years.

German Evangelical Church — Located at Marthasville, in Char-
rette township, was organized in 1864, the original members being
Herman Branns, Fred. Budke, Herman Schulte, Henry Hilgedick,
Fr. Langemann, Eberhard Rogge, W. Ottermann, R. Hilbrandt, Ru¬
dolph Grunecker, H. Brune, H. Eilers, E. H. Suhre, E. Hovelmann
and G. H. Brinkmann. The number of the present membership is 40.
The pastors who have served as such are O. Neithammer, E. Berger,

1012

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

J. C. Feil, H. Schmidt and C. Bechtold. A church building — a
frame — was constructed in 1864, and cost $1,200. The Sabbath-
school numbers between 40 and 50 pupils, the superintendent being
H. Schwarze.

St. Paul's German Evangelical Church — Located four and a half
miles north of Warrenton, in Elkhorn township, was organized in
1865 by Rev. J. G. Stanger. The original members were William
Hollmaun, Henry Pope, Henry Razee, Henry Fischer, Henry Pieper,
Herman Vogt, Frederick Darnkuler, Jacob Leek, William Kareu-
brock, Kimrad Bubermeid, Henry Determan, William Voss, Henry
Rume, Frank Hollmann, William Linnert, Fred Albert, William
Albert, Caroline Leek and William Bushman. The present member-
bership is about 25. The first pastor of the church was Rev. J. G.
Stanger, succeeded bv Revs. Rapp, Borgnen, Langhoop, Strucker and
Bockelmann. The house of worship — a stone structure — erected in
1875, cost nearly $1,000. A parsonage of about the same value has
recently been completed, near the church. Mr. August Hollmann
superintends the Sabbath-school of 40 members, and he is also church
clerk. Preaching is held each Sunday.

German Evangelical Congregation of Lippstadt — Is on the south¬
west quarter of section 9, township 16, range 2 west (Elkhorn town¬
ship). The first church was a log structure, built about two miles
north of the present location, to which it was subsequently removed
for service as a school house. Then the brick edifice, a handsome
building, was put up at a cost of $4,500 in 1877. Connected with it
is a parsonage and eight acres of land with convenient out-buildings,
etc. There is also a cemetery laid out here. Some of the original
members are still living. The names of those who first ioined were
Henry Luttmann and wife, Christian Fahrmeier and wife, C. Schroeder
and wife, Ernest Winter and wife, Fred Meine and wife, Fred Starke-
bauin and wife, Simon Roewe and wife, Herman H. Unverzagt. and
wife, Christopher Ploeger and wife, Herman Sievert and wife, M.
Hackman and wife and many others. Now there are 30 families con¬
nected with the church. The following ministers have filled the pul¬
pit: John Will, C. F. Doehring, R. John, J. Stanger, E. Bourquin,
J. H. Langpopp and Fred Hempelmann, the latter now being also su¬
perintendent of the Sabbath-school of 35 members.

St. Johannes ’ Congregation of the Evangelical Church — Worship
in a frame building, erected for $2,000, in 1870. This is in the south¬
ern part of Pinckney township, near the river, where old Pinckney
was formerly located. Of the tract of seven acres of land connected

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1013

with the church, five acres have been washed away by the river, and
on the remaining two acres is a good parsonage. Twenty-four families
comprise this congregation. The organization occurred in 1870, the
original members then being Herman Suak and wife, C. Bueker and
wife, Henry Schlapper and wife, Christopher Jaeger and wife, L. Nie-
meyer and wife, T. Poertner and wife and others. Revs. C. Beck, C.
Seibold and C. Moritz have filled this pulpit at different periods.
The Sabbath-school has on its roll 30 members ; the superintendent
is Rev. Moritz.

Pendleton Methodist Episcopal Church — Was organized by Rev.
C. S. Cooper, in 1871, its constituent members being William F.
Chiles, Robert N. Chil es, Mrs. Ellen Watkins, Wilford Johnson, Mrs.
Mary Emma Johnson, Joseph P. Chiles, Mrs. Eliza Chiles, Mrs. Jane
Chiles, Henry Benney, Mrs. Jane Martin, Lewis H. Jackson, Alfred
Wingett, Allison Baldwin, Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis and Mrs. Mary Ben¬
ney. The number of the present membership is 35. The ministers
who have had charge of this church are Revs. C. S. Cooper, A. J.
Dill, E. B. Carter, R. R. Witton, J. H. Banyher, John Wilson, T. J.
Enyeart, Samuel Taylor, I. H. Bawdle, E. B. Lytle and E. W. Mc-
Millian. The present frame building was erected in 1872, at a cost of
$1,000. Services were held in the school-house previous to building
the church. There are 70 scholars in the Sabbath-school, the super¬
intendent being Thomas K. Chiles.

German Evangelical “ Friedens Germeinde ” — Located at Wright
City, was organized September 5, 1880. The original members were
Capt. E. F. Ordelheide and wife, William Kamp, Fr. Nieburg, Fr.
Liedke, Henry Blattner, Florence Ordelheide, Henry Schmidt and
others. The present membership is composed of 76 members. The
pastor is Henry S. Feix. The present frame church was erected in
the spring of 1881, at a cost of $4,600. There is a large and flour¬
ishing Sunday-school of 136 scholars connected with the church,
Henry Schmidt being its superintendent. This is one of the most
flourishing congregations in the county.

CHAPTBE VIII.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Cyclone of May, 1883 — Agricultural Societies — Warren County Press — Educa¬
tional — County Indebtedness — Census Statistics of 1880 — Banks and other Incor¬
porations — California Gold Excitement — Warren’s County Seat — First Deed —
Historial Facts, Anecdotes, etc. — Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad.

On the evening of Friday, May 18, 1833, portions of Warren county
were visited by a furious wind storm carrying destruction with it, and
leaving as a legacv recollections that will never fade. Between seven
and eight o’clock, the storm coming from the south-west struck a
point near Hopewell, and thence down the Charrette creek, where
fences were leveled with the ground, houses and barns unroofed, the
storm gathering strength as it traveled. Pursuing a north-easterly
direction it struck Hickory Grove township. As it came from wooded
Teuque it seemed to be eight or ten feet above the earth, and did its
work by topping over trees and buildings, but on the prairie it seemed
to come down to earth and carry everything before it, making many ec¬
centric turns. Crossing Hickory Grove Prairie to WoodhuH’s cream¬
ery, it left Warren and entered St. Charles county. The day had
been a warm one with a strong sultry breeze blowing from the south¬
west. Clouds began to gather and bank in the west and north-west
early in the afternoon ; later an orange yellow cloud passed north.

When the storm broke devastation and ruin soon followed in quick
succession. The homes of Mr. Prior, James Brooks, Mr. Roloff,
Thomas Mills, Airs. Maxwell and Milton J. Young, felt the effects of the
storm, as did also the old Oakdale school-house, H. G. Quincy’s and
M. S. Pringle’s. Next it took to the premises of Norman O. Pringle.
At William Spire’s the family were watching the cyclone, and were
just congratulating themselves that it had passed them, when it moved
around in a circle to the west, and everything within reach was taken
into its destructive power. Mr. and Mrs. Spires were badly injured by
flying timbers, and other inmates of the house received severe bruises.
Thence it passed on its way to the home of Mr. A. P. Parsons. The
center of the wind cloud seemed to pass directly over the premises,
and when it had passed not a vestige of house, building or fence was
(1014)

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1015

left to show that anybody had lived there. The whole place was ab¬
solutely swept clean. The house was not occupied at the time, the
family being absent on a visit. Then the cyclone bounded on to the
residence of Mr. George P. Strong, and in the twinkling of an eye
his beautiful home was literally demolished. Mr. and Mrs. Strong
and a negro boy were badly injured. The storm sped on its way to
St. Charles county, and there repeated the ruin that Warren county
had experienced.

The news of the horrible disaster spread rapidly, and crowds of
people repaired to the vicinity to witness the scene, which was a most
terrible one in the extreme. About the same hour that the storm
burst upon Hickory Grove township, another cyclone was creating
havoc and ruin in the western end of the country, although tht>
greater part of the damage by this storm was just across the Mont¬
gomery county line. The first evidence of the tornado was seen on
Loutre Island, above Hermann. From there its course was north¬
east, striking William Maxey’s house, John C. Whiteside’s dwelling,
also the residence of Mr. Henze, on Beard creek, all of which were
completely demolished. When the storm struck the residence of
Mr. Charles B. Eddings, about two and a half miles south-east of
Jonesburg, the full fury of its strength was demonstrated. It literally
destroyed the house, a one-story frame, leaving it a mass of ruins.
Mr. Eddings and his family were in the house at the time, together
with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Catherine Northcutt, who was killed.
The unfortunate lady, who was quite old, was carried 150 yards from
the house, and when found, was terribly mangled. Mr. Eddings and
his family, consisting of his wife and two children, were all more or
less injured, but none of them seriously.

This deplorable accident was the most serious result in Warren
county, but across the line in Montgomery, the scene after the storm
had passed was simply awful, beyond the power of language to fitly
describe. House after house had been scattered to the four winds of
heaven ; whole orchards were destroyed, stock was killed, etc.

The injured by this fearful visitation were cared for at once, and
then began the formation of organizations for the relief of the sufferers.
The necessary aid was forthcoming at once, the people who had
escaped generously contributing towards their less fortunate neigh¬
bors.

Mr. Strong had in his possession, before the storm, a title deed to
some property, which was found by a farmer in Green county, Ill.,
and returned to Mr. Strong.

1016

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Milton J. Young’s house was directly in the path of the storm.
His son had a teacher’s certificate in his trunk at home. When the
storm subsided a farmer residing in Macoupin county, Ill., returned it
to its owner.

AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

In 1859 citizens of Warrenton and many of the leading farmers of
the county united in an effort to organize a county agricultural society.
The necessity for such an association, it was claimed, existed in War¬
ren county to no less degree than in surrounding communities, and
the result was that a county fair was determined upon. The follow¬
ing well known residents of the county were selected to make the
initiatory move in establishing an annual exhibition: Peter Harmon,
Dr. Churchill, G. Strother, Joseph L. Fant, Peter P. Stewart, Chris¬
tian Graff, Grief Stewart, John L. Howell and Garrett Schnick. Mr.
Harmon was elected president and Dr. Strother, secretary. Suitable
grounds were selected west of Warrenton, and the necessary buildings
erected. The association held one fair, which was not very encour¬
aging to its promoters, and in the winter of 1860 the buildings were
destroyed by fire. No effort was made to rebuild, and the idea of a
yearly fair was abandoned until the spring of 1868, when another
effort was made to organize. Promises of hearty support were
tendered from all parts of the county, and the following
citizens became stockholders in an association having for its
object the establishment and continuance of an annual fair : C.
R. Abell, J. E. Yocum, W. W. Halsman, Henry Kampe, Charles
Prudhome, James Hammontree, H. T. Pendleton, Philip Kuhl, D.
Hietmann, Thomas Keys, Nicholas Keys, Natlev Paxton, James W.
Shelton, Casper Lohmann, Jerry Sullivan, Henry Bothe, L. D.
Welch, F. G. Meinershagen, Aug. H. Bothe, Gerhard Bockhorst,
John H. Bockhorst, Henry Bockhorst, B. Wisbrock, H. Schinck, H.
H. Kerkoff, August Hi nee, Henry Harbaum, Frederick Drunert, C.
B. Hennion, F. Mische, H. Middelkamp, John Schaberg, George

Kemper, S. W. Hopkins, Henry Parker, John Harper, Fritz Ritter,

** • _

D. P. Dyer, W. Delventhall, John H. Faulconer, William Schaden,
W. P. Riddle, James H. Riddle, William Thee, William Leak, A.
Hart, Ernst Schowengerdt, T. L. Garrett, Lemuel Thurman, C. E.
Peers, A. M. Hammontree, Marcus Bentz, C. T. Archer, Garrett
Schnick, John Gaffney, H. D. L. Bockhorst, Simon Morris, William
Middlekamp, Patrick Ryan, John Middelkamp, Frederick Morsey,
William H. Smith, William Horstmann, Michael Kelly, George Block,
G. Reiche, L. J. Dryden and F. Koch.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1017

The association was duly chartered under the name of the “ War¬
ren County Agricultural and Mechanical Association. ” Grounds
were selected on the Troy and Wright City road, about one mile
north-east of Warrenton, substantial buildings and fences were
erected and on October 14, 1868, the first annual exhibition
opened under very auspicious circumstances. The premiums were
liberal and promptly paid.

The association continued to prosper for the next three seasons,
but for some unaccountable reason, interest in the fair seemed to
diminish, gradually, until the managers were forced to discontinue
the annual meeting. The grounds were sold, as were also the build¬
ings ; and since 1871 the county has had no fair. The officers of the
association were J. E. Yocum, president; C. E. Peers, secretary.

THE PRESS.

In the diffusion of knowledge, as an educator of the people, the
Press is recognized as a powerful ally, and in conjunction with the
educational facilities offered in every intelligent community, its power
and influence is widely felt. In the dissemination of news and the
protection of the interests of the people, the newspaper occupies a
position of great responsibility. Its obligations, too, and influence

with its readers partake of the nature of personal intimacy, and when

used in the interest of good morals and pure government, this influ¬
ence can not be overestimated.

Twenty-four years after the organization of Warren county in 1857,
the first newspaper was established at Warrenton. It was called the
Warrenton Nonpareil , and was owned and edited by Robert E.
Pleasants and Charles Corwin. The partnership was soon dissolved,
however, Mr. Pleasants becoming the sole proprietor. The paper
was a 16x22 sheet, in which form it was published until in 1863,
when it was enlarged and improved in every feature. Col. John E.
Hutton, now Congressman from the Seventh district, was at this time
editor of the Nonpareil. The following year its publication was sus¬
pended, and in August, 1884, Mr. Charles E. Peers became the owner
of the franchise and property.

Mr. Peers immediately began the publication of the Warren county
Banner, a spicy, reliable and ably conducted sheet. In 1869 the title
was changed to the Warrenton Missouri Banner. Mr. Peers disposed
of the property to Chas. W. Rapp, who, however, had but a short
career as a journalist, when the paper reverted again to the ownership
of Mr. Peers. In the winter of 1872 the office was sold to Messrs.

1018

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Eummons & Morsey, who ran the paper but a few months, when Mr.
Morsey sold his interest to Mr. Eummons, who shortly thereafter
transferred one-half of his interest to E. B. Speed. Mr. Eummons
disposed of his remaining interest to George W. Morgan, and the
paper was successfully edited and managed by Messrs. Speed &
Morgan until Mr. Morgan retired, Mr. Thomas M. Morsey acquiring
a half interest. In 1882 Mr. Speed sold his interest to Samuel B.
Cook, who in company with Mr. Morsey conducted the paper until
the fall of 1884, when Mr. Cook retired, disposing of his interest
to Mr. Morsey and Mr. Frederick L. Blome. The Banner is ably
edited, its local columns containing a weekly resume of Warren
county occurrences, and a well selected synopsis of the week’s tele-^
graphic news, arranged with great taste and presented in a very at¬
tractive form. The proprietors also conduct a model job printing
department, doing work of a high order of merit.

In 1869 a stock company was organized at Warrenton, and under
its management the Chronicle was established. Mr. A. Ackerman
was the publisher, and soon acquired full ownership of the property.
After a precarious existence of two years the paper again passed into
the hands of a stock company, who rechristened the sheet, calling it
the Citizen, and publishing a German edition, both under the editorial
management of Mr. Frank T. Williams. In 1875 the property was
purchased by Maynard & Co., who suspended the publication of the
German edition. The Citizen discontinued publication in 1881.

In 1872 the Wright City Visitor was founded by Mr. Laudon Eum¬
mons, a gentleman of fine literary taste and scholarly attainments,
who conducted the paper for about one year, when he became one of
the proprietors of the Banner at Warrenton, at which time the ma¬
terial of the office and its subscription lists were consolidated with the
Banner.

The first German paper established was the Der Buerger , which
was published for a short time at Warrenton. From 1869 to 18 75 a
German edition of the Warrenton Citizen supplied the German readers
of the county, and after this edition was discontinued the Union was
published for about four years, finally giving place to the Volks freund,,
which made its first appearance in 1880 under the joint management
of T. A. Bochmer and George Bartholomaeus. The paper is still in
existence, and is an ably edited publication. Its circulation is about
1,000.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1019

EDUCATIONAL.

Residents of Warren refer with pardonable pride to the excellence
of its school system. The history of the county since 1833 is full of
evidences of liberality and good judgment on the part of both the tax
payers and public officials who have had control of its educational
facilities. Warren county is, upon the whole, populated by a very
intelligent class of people, who fully appreciate the necessity of good
schools, and throughout its history every possible facility has been
provided for the education of the young.

Taxes for this purpose, while extremely low, have been at all times
amply sufficient to guarantee the best of instruction, and the cheer¬
fulness with which the people indorse all the improvements suggested
by those who have in charge the public school affairs of the county
indicate a degree of appreciation rarely equaled.

The first superintendent of public schools was Rudolph Ritter, who
was elected in 1868. In 1870, by act of the Legislature, the office of
superintendent was abolished, and the position of school commissioner
was created. Mr. Ritter served one year under the new law, being
superseded by Byron Taylor, who filled the office until the fall election
of 1876, when the present incumbent, Hon. Virgie A. Hughes, took
charge of the department. Under his administration the schools have
materially improved, and are now in a very flourishing condition.
From his last report to the State Superintendent the following data
is taken, the figures given being for the year ending June 30, 1884 :
Number of white persons in county over 6 and under 20 years, male,
1,709; female, 1,495. Number colored, over 6 and under 20 years,
male, 131 ; female, 113. Number white persons attending school during
year, male, 1,056 ; female, 853. Number colored persons attending
school during year, male, 93 ; female, 82. Number teachers employed,
male, 40 ; female, 24. Average pay, male, $35.20 ; female, $29.08.
Number of schools in county, white, 55 ; colored, 7 — 62. Value of
school property, $11,701. Assessed valuation of property in the county,
$1,826,656. Average rate per $100, levied for school purposes, .45.
Amount of unexpended school funds at close of year, $1,637.53.

The school buildings are all frame structures, yet sufficiently large
and comfortable. Warren, although one of the smallest counties in
the State, is, from its geographical location, destined to be a commu¬
nity remarkable for its advanced ideas on the subject of education.
Situated near St. Louis, and convenient to all the great institutions of

1020

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

learning, populated by a thrifty and intelligent class of people, its
future in this regard is indeed a bright one. History has chronicled
its position as a seat of learning (reference to which will be found in
another chapter, in which are given the details relating to Warrenton’s
college facilities), and the broad views advanced by its leading citizens
upon this subject have elicited the hearty co-operation of all classes.

COUNTY INDEBTEDNESS.

Warren county is extremely fortunate in having no bonded indebt¬
edness. Her people have always enjoyed immunity from the slightest
public extravagance on the part of their servants, and in consequence,
beyond the yearly levy for actual public expenses, the people are
entirely free from assessment. The taxes in the county are, there¬
fore, very light, as compared with many localities in the State. The
only debt which the county has ever incurred since its organization
was made in 1862, when it became necessary to procure a fund to pay
the bounties due to the soldiers. For this purpose, and by the
authority of the county court, the sum of $8,029.50 was borrowed
from the county school fund. Upon this loan the county pays inter¬
est, which is divided proportionately among the various school
districts of the county. The bonds given for security upon this loan
are deposited with the county court, so that practically the county
has no debt. It was deemed safer to borrow this money, with the
security of the county, than to assume any risk in loaning the surplus
of the school fund to outside purties.

The assessment of 1882 was as follows : Number of acres assessed
in 1882, 250,110; valuation, $1,033,505; number of town lots, 820;
total valuation of real estate, $1,114,800; taxable wealth for 1882,
$2,141,865 ; amount collected from merchants and manufacturers,
$931.01 ; number of dram-shops in the county, 7; rate of dram-shop
license, county, $500; State, $50; total, $550; rate of wine and
beer license, county, $50; State, $25; total, $75; total tax assessed
against railroad and telegraph property for 1883, $3,247.53.

Warren county voted the sum of $50,000 to aid the construction
of the North Missouri Railway. The tax for this purpose was levied
direct upon the people, the agreement with the company being that
tax certificates to the amount of $100 would entitle the holders to a
stock certificate of the company. As these tax certificates accumu¬
lated in the hands of the citizens, many wealthy persons bought them
up, paying as high as 80 cents on the dollar for them. As time
passed by and the difficulties of the company rendered their stock

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1021

practically worthless, the shrewd financiers of Warren county found
to their chagrin that their purchases were ranked among those stocks
that pay no dividends to their holders. The farmers as a class, how¬
ever, were not the losers, and the debt was paid as rapidly as assess¬
ments could be collected, and has long since been obliterated among
the county’s obligations.

The United States census of 1880 shows the population of Warren
county to have been as follows : Elkhorn township, 2,531 ; Hickory
Grove township, 2,140; Charrette township, 3,170; Bridgeport town¬
ship, 1,236 ; Pinckney township, 1,094 ; Camp Branch township, 999 ;
total, 11,170.

In Elkhorn township the enumeration found the following persons,
who had reached the age of 80 years or over. Laura Adams, who
was 90 at that time ; Aunt Nancy Camp, who was 83 and is yet liv¬
ing. Edmund Garrett, or as he is familiarly called “ Old Uncle
Ned,” is the oldest colored person in the county, being yet alive at
89. Mrs. Mary A. Kent had at that time reached the age of 88. She
is yet alive, aged 92, and is undoubtedly the oldest living inhabitant
of Warren county. Thomas Wright, an old colored man, is booked
in the census returns at 80.

In Hickory Grove township were the following: Jessie Colman,
aged 80; Dicie Thurmond, colored, aged 85; J. L. Hubbard, aged
80 ; Nancy Logan, aged 85 ; Abraham Welsh, colored, aged 80.

Mr. Coleman is the father of W. T. Coleman, State Superintendent
of Public Instruction, and is now 84 years of age, yet as rugged as
many men at 50. Abraham Welsh is yet alive, and known through¬
out his vicinity as quite a famous colored preacher.

In Charrette the following returned their age at 80 years or over :
John Schilier, 83 ; Herman Dickhaus, 80 ; Henry Mische, 84 ; Fred¬
erick Muench, 81 ; Mary Wyatt, 82 ; Chas. Winkelmeyer, 81; Chas.
Wehlking, 83.

Frederick Muench attained considerable distinction during his long
life in Warren county. His son, the Hon. Adolphus Muench, is the
present Representative of Warren county in the State Legislature.
Pinckney township furnishes the name of Christian and Henrietta
Wilmsmeyer, aged respectively 80 years, both of whom have since
died ; while Camp Branch included the names of Abraham Fine, aged
83, and his wife aged 82. Mr. Fine died in 1883. Mrs. Dorcas
Yeater, probably one of the oldest inhabitants of the county, yet
lives in Camp Branch, at the advanced age of 86.

1022

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

BANKS.

The first bank organized in the county was the Warren County
Savings Bank at Warrenton. The institution was incorporated in
1872 with a capital stock of $60,000. Rudolph Ritter was president
and Henry Parker secretary. The affairs of the bank were wound up
in - , and Warrenton was without banking facilities until Novem¬

ber 1, 1883, when the “ Bank of Warren County” was organized,
with a capital stock of $10,000.

Samuel B. Cook was elected president and T. J. Fariss cashier,
with the following stockholders: S. B. Cook, William Kamp, L. J.
Dryden, George J. Berg, Henry Bohnmeyer, C. A. Peers, W. M.
Morsey, H. H. Schaper, John H. Koelling, John H. Middlekamp, F.
C. Drunert, T. J. Fariss and H. H. Kamp.

The Warren County Bank is noted as one of the sound financial
institutions of this part of the State, is carefully managed and doing
a lucrative business.

On November 3, 1874, the Wright City Savings Bank was incor¬
porated by the following named persons, who were the stockholders :
H. T. Pendleton, T. J. Fariss, E. F. Ordelheide, C. E. Bird, John
E. Ball, Marshall Bird, John B. Bird, S. P. Bird, Martha Pendleton,
Mrs. Nancy Taylor, J. H. Koelling, Werner & Miller, A. C. Hudson,
C. W. Pringle, Wm. Rossiter, T. L. May, Henry Blattner, F. Blatt-
ner, E. Schowengerdt, Landen Rummons, W. Middlekamp & Bro.,
W. Kamp, D. Heitmann, G. Buckhorst, H. Buckhorst, Thomas
Hughes and R. J. Kennedv. The bank carried on a general baking
business until the fall of 1877, when its affairs were wound up.

OTHER INCORPORATIONS.

On the 1st of January the residents of Holstein applied for and
were granted a charter for the “ Private Benevolent Association of Hol¬
stein.” The organization was organized “for the purpose of mutual
assistance among its members in case of loss or damage by fire.”
The first board of directors were H. A. Schoppenhorst, Henry Hack-
mann, Gerhard Hackman, Henry Oberhellman and William Strubbe.
The association is yet in existence, and has been very successful.

A similar association exists in the northern part, of the county, in¬
cluding in its membership farmers residing in Charrette, Hickory
Grove and Camp Branch townships.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1023

CALIFORNIA GOLD EXCITEMENT.

The news that Sutter had discovered gold in paying quantities in
California in 1848 reached Warren county during the summer of that
year and had the effect to create a genuine gold fever. Parties were
at once organized whose objective point was the Golden State and
whose dreams of sudden wealth inspired them to brave the dangers
and hardships of the journey. Before winter had set in a number of
Warren bounty residents had departed for the land of gold and addi¬
tional parties were making arrangements to follow in their wake.

Among those who sought their fortunes on the far Western coast
were William J. Teass, James A. Harnett, Edwin O. Rountree, P.
G. Rountree, James A. Stewart, Joseph L. Fant, James L. Howell,
P. S. Woodland, Joseph S. Allen, James Preston, Peter Archer,
Charles Archer, Edward A. Teass, Adam Z. Keat, Wilton J. Young,
Heath Woodland, Benjamin Howell, Henry Justus, Isaac Oaks, John
Jones, Dr. W. W. Farrow, William Finney, A. J. Hoake, W. A.
Dike, H. A. Skinner and William Long.

Several of the early California pioneers returned home and
now reside in the county, while a number died in the Western
country.

The first commission signed by the Governor of the State to any
Warren county official, was that of Carty Wells, first clerk of the
circuit court, whose authority was affirmed by Gov. Daniel Dunklin,
in the form of a regular commission, signed at Jefferson City on April
21, 1833.

The first indictment returned to the circuit court was against Geo.
W. Wenz, who was charged with stealing corn, valued at 12V2 cents.
William J. Yreeland was foreman of the first grand jury. Wenz was
tried and found guilty, and sentenced by the court on September 6,
1833, to receive one stripe on the bare back, and to stand in the pil¬
lory two minutes.

The first naturalization papers issued in the county were given to
John William Tappe, a native of Bruggen, kingdom of Hanover,
Germany, who filed his application to become a citizen at the Feb¬
ruary term of the county court, 1834.

The amount of taxes levied by the county during 1832, the first
year of its organization, was $422.28Vs.

The first license issued by Warren county was to Abiba A. Will¬
iams to keep a grocery at the house of Caleb Williams, at Warren
ton, for which he paid $5.

1024

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

The first ferry license was issued to Mrs. Nancy Hart to operate
a ferry opposite her house on the Missouri river.

The following is a description of the Warren county seal, adopted
by the circuit court, on September 6, 1883 : —

“ A bust of a man with two swords, the hilts downward, and the
points pointing diagonally upwards till they cross directly over the
center of the crown, surmounted with a scroll inscribed with the
words, ‘ Warren Circuit Court Seal ’ in Roman capitals. The word,
Missouri and 24 stars under the bust, within the inner scroll, the said
seal to be equal in circumference to a Spanish dollar.”

The following interesting document explains itself, and is a matter
of record in the circuit court: —

War Department — Revolutionary Claim:

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of
the 7th June, 1832, Michael Glass, of the State of Missouri, who was
a private of dragoons in the army of the Revolution, is entitled to
receive one hundred dollars and — cents per annum, during his
natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable
semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every
year.

Examined and countersigned.

J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty-fourth
day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.

(Signed) Lewis Cass,

[seal]. Secretary of War.

Attached to the document is an affidavit signed by Glass, in which
he states that he has for 17 years been a resident of Warren county.

A similar entry on the record shows that one Thomas N. Graves,
of Warren county, was a sergeant in the Revolutionary army.

THE FIRST DEED.

This indenture made and entered into this 25th day of January,
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty-three, between
Guyon Kennedy and Betsey P. Kennedy, his wife, of the county of
Lincoln, and State of Missouri, of the one part, and Sarah Kennedy,
of the county of Montgomery, and State aforesaid, of the other part,
witnesseth : That the said Guyon Kennedy and Betsey P. Kennedy,
his wife, for and in consideration of six hundred and forty dollars in
hand paid by the said Sarah, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed
and acknowledged, have bargained and sold unto the said Sarah Ken¬
nedy, a certain tract of land, situate, lying and being in the county

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1025

of Montgomery, and State aforesaid, being the south-west quarter of
section 13, range 2 west, and township 47, north, by estimation con¬
taining 160 acres, with all its appurtenances, to the said Sarah Ken¬
nedy and her heirs forever, to have and to hold, use and occupy, pos¬
sess, peaceably enjoy, all and singular, the said land and premises
hereby granted unto her, fee simple, and lastly the said Guyon Ken¬
nedy and Betsey P. Kennedy, his wife, doth by these presents, bind
ourselves and heirs forever hereafter to warrant and forever defend
the right and title of the before mentioned tract of land, and prem¬
ises to the said Sarah P. Kennedy and her heirs, against the claim of
all and every person or persons whatsoever.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and attached
our seals, the day and date above mentioned.

(Signed.) Guyon Kennedy.

Betsey P. Kennedy.

This instrument was acknowledged and filed for record on the 6th
day of August, 1833, and was entered by Carty Wells, the first re¬
corder of the county.

Three miles north of Holstein, on the farm of Ernst Liermann, is
located a cave to which curiosity seekers are always directed. The
cave was discovered by Jno. Wyatt, one of the earliest settlers of the
county, who while on a hunting expedition tracked a bear to the en¬
trance The cave is near the top of a very high hill. Its entrance is
about two and a half feet square. Inside are rooms from 30 to 40
feet in diameter, and in the early days, the cave used to be the hiding
place of bears, panthers and other wild beasts. There is one cham¬
ber in this cave that has never been explored. Daring adventurers
quail before the fact, that rocks thrown into this chamber, have never
been heard to strike bottom, and the impenetrable darkness of the room
is fearfully suggestive, and sufficient to deter the bravest of in¬
vestigators. In the same vicinity, peculiar sounds are heard in the
month of May, every year, emanating from a high bluff, located on
the farm of Rudolphus Kierker.

This phenomena has continued ever since the country was discov¬
ered, and no one as yet has attempted to explain it. The sounds are
usually accompanied by a swaying motion of the earth, similar to an
earthquake shock and at times people in the vicinity, have expressed
great alarm, on account of these curious occurrences. This immedi¬
ate vicinity is remarkable for the large number of petrifaction, that
are constantly being found

On the farm of John Northcutt, in the main Charrette creek, is a
pond, 60 by 30 feet in size, into which a plumb line has not yet been
found long enough to find the bottom.

O O

1026

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Throughout the country in the vicinity of the various creeks, are
many caves, that afford natural shelter for stock, and there are also
countless natural curiosities that attract attention from the traveler.

A novel method of receipting for taxes, was that adopted upon one
occasion by Absalom Hays, the first sheriff and collector of the county.
In many cases it was his custom to pay the taxes of people with whom
he was well acquainted, and collect the money when his friends came
into town. One Joe Dyer strode into the office one day, and inquired
what amount was assessed against him. Hays told him “two dollars
and a bit.” Dyer demurred to paying it, claiming the amount was
excessive. Hays informed him that he had payed the amount, the
debt thus becoming a personal matter between the parties. Dyer
showed no disposition to liquidate, and the sheriff made it a practice
to dun him every time he saw him. The two men met one day and
as the result of a heated discussion, the sheriff, who was a cripple and
walked with a cane, resented some remark of Dyer’s by striking him
over the head with his stick, Friends rushed in and quieted the
fracas, but the next day they again met, and Hays asked Dyer to pay
him. Dyer inquired the amount, and the sheriff told him “one dollar
and a bit.” Said Dyer: “How’s that? yesterday you said ‘two
dollars and a bit.’ ”

“ Well,” replied the sheriff, “yesterday I gave you a receipt for one
dollar, and if you will turn your head my way, I’ll soon give you one
in full.” He made a dash for Dyer, struck him over the head, say¬
ing: “ Now you don’t owe me a cent.” Hays was perfectly cool,
and afterwards positively declined to receive any money on the debt,
claiming that he had been fully paid in the manner related.

In the early days of Camp Branch township one Joues, renowned
for his hot temper and readiness to engage in personal encounter,
was elected justice of the peace. It had been the custom to crowd
the court room when cases were being heard, and the dignity of the
justice was apt to be forgotten upon these occasions, by raising demon¬
strations on the part of the spectators. Jones determined to suppress
these interruptions, and at first adopted a conciliatory tone, politely
requesting the crowd to keep quiet. Finding that nothing but heroic
treatment would suffice to maintain quiet and sustain the dignity which
he held should surround the office he was so proud to occupy, in the
midst of quite an important trial, he roared out in a stentorian voice,
“ Will you keep order in this court.” No attention was paid to his
request, the noise increasing as the trial progressed. Becoming en¬
raged beyond measure, he jumped from his seat, whipped off his coat,

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1027

yelling, “ By the eternal, I’ll see if this m ob will be still,” appar¬
ently ignoring the case on trial, he jumped into the crowd and began
kn ocking down every man within reach. There was a rush for the
do or, but the indignant justice just kept up the pounding process until
he had floored a dozen or more of the crowd and cleared the room.
The effect of the salutary treatment was to popularize the justice,
who was retained in office for years, and was never afterwards
troubled by unruly crowds during the session of the court.

WABASH, ST. LOUIS AND PACIFIC RAILWAY.

The line of this road extends through the three counties, the his¬
tory of which is given in the present volume. Mention of the road,
so far as St. Charles county is concerned, has been made elsewhere.
Through that county the road extends almost due west from the
eastern border of St. Charles, quitting the county at Foristel, where it
enters Warren county. Thence it runs nearly in the same general direc¬
tion, curving a little northward, however, from Warrenton westward,
and leaving Warren county a little north of west of Pendleton.
From Pendleton it passes on in to Montgomery county, and through
that county takes nearly a due north-west course, leaving Mont¬
gomery county about two miles and a half south of the north-west
corner.

The main line of the Wabash Railway, west of the Mississippi, ex¬
tends from St. Louis to Omaha. It also has an extension beyond
Omaha and a large number of tributary lines in this State, as well as
beyond Missouri.

The main line of its Eastern division, or that part east of the
Mississippi, extends from Toledo to St. Louis. That division has
even a larger number of tributarv lines than the Western division.

The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway is the outgrowth of two
original independent trunk lines — the old Toledo and Illinois and the
North Missouri. They were chartered April 25, 1853, and March 1,
1851, respectively, the first by the Legislature of Ohio and the latter
by the Legislature of Missouri. The building of each was slow, and
they were repeatedly made the recipients of State and municipal aid.
Their completion was eftetted only after long and hard struggles,
passing, in the meantime, through many vicissitudes of fortune and
mutations of names. Some philosopher, who flourished in mytholog¬
ical times, declared that where one has a hard struggle for existence
it is an evidence that his life gives offense to the gods and he ought to
die. If this were true and were applied to the Wabash, it would long

1028

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

since have passed in to the land of shadows, mysteries and the “Un¬
knowable,” as Emerson calls it. At its birth, if it had had the ken
to penetrate and read the future, it might well have said, in the lan-
£ua£e of Addison : —

“ Thro’ what new scenes and changes must I pass?

The wide, the unbounded prospect lies before me.”

The Wabash Company, as a corporation, is still in embarrassed
circumstances, and its affairs are conducted under a receivership. As
a road, however, it does good service, and is of great value to the
States and communities through which it passes. With its manage¬
ment there are a number of able railroad men and courteous, accom¬
modating gentlemen connected, and it is hoped that by their ability
and popular administration of the affairs of the road it will ultimately
be placed upon a paying, independent basis.

The St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern, successor to the old North
Missouri, and the Toledo, Wabash and Western, successor to the Toledo
and Illinois, and the Lake Erie, Wabash and St. Louis, were consolidated
into the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific in 1879. The consolidated
company represents a capital stock of about $40,000,000. Its bonded
indebtedness is over $75,000,000. Most of its stock is now owned
by English capitalists, much to the relief of American stockholders
and to the credit of their business acumen. English capitalists have
an abundance of money, plenty of leisure, and are content with small
dividends, and, being good-natured fellows, they are not disposed to
make a fuss, even if they get no dividends at all for a time. This
suits American stockholders exactly, so that the transfer of stock
was very easily and very willingly made, especially by the latter so far
as willingness was concerned. However, a considerable block of the
stock is still owned in this country.

The Wabash aggregates about 3,500 miles of roads, divided between
the eastern and western divisions nearly in the ratio of two to one, or
about 2,300 miles east of the Mississippi, and about 1,200 miles west
of the river. The road represents some 35 original lines of roads,
which have been brought into the consolidated system by purchase,
lease, or otherwise. •

CHAPTER IX.

HISTORY OF CHARRETTE TOWNSHIP.

Early History — First Settlement by the French. — Physical Features — Nashville —

Other Towns — Early Settlers. — Biographical.

The history of Charrette township is of peculiar interest to the
people of Warren county. It also possesses no small degree of inter¬
est to the people of the entire State. It was in this locality that the
early French adventurers first located, at the mouth of what is known
as the main Charrette. It was in this township that the fort known
as Callaway’s Post was built before the War of 1812. In the south¬
eastern part of the township the great Boone was originally buried,
and the first town of any consequence in Warren county was organ¬
ized within the limits of Charrette. The French located on Charrette
creek as early as 1763, reference to which will be found elsewhere in
this work, and following the arrivals of the Boones and Callaways,
that vicinity was the first to attract the early emigration from Ken¬
tucky and the States farther East. About the localities where these
early pioneers cast their fortunes cluster many exciting and memor¬
able recollections, which give to the vicinity a large share of histori¬
cal importance.

The township possesses many interesting natural features, attractive
in their rugged wildness. Along the various creeks that flow through
the district, are located what are known as valley farms ; small in
extent, but very prolific and rich in quality of soil comprising them.
Charrette creek has its source in Hickory Grove township, and flows
through the entire center of Charrette. It is a beautiful stream,
a great resort for hunters and curiosity seekers, who find along
its winding banks evidences of pre-historic times, and the early
period that developed the historical names and events of years long
gone by.

The village of Marthasville, which was the first town settled in
Warren county, is located about two miles from the Missouri on a
bluff from which can be readily seen from the hills on the opposite or
Franklin county side of the river. The population of Marthasville is
about 350, and it is a thriving trading point. In the olden time, the
town was the principal landing place for all the territory comprising

(1029)

1030

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Warren county, its shipping interests at that time aggregating an im¬
mense business.

The other towns are Holstein, Dutzow and Hopewell. Near the
latter place was first established the permanent seat of justice of
Warren county, at a place called New Boston, which is now unknown
among the villages of the county. The effort to make New Boston
the permanent county seat was hotly contested by people residing
in the northern central portion of the county, and the result of the
agitation was that the seat of justice was finally established at War-
renton in 1833. The population of Charrette township in 1880, ac¬
cording to the Government census, was 3,170, a very large porportion
of which are Germans.

Among the earlier settlers in the township, many of whom were, in
their day, persons of distinction and influence, were Jesse Cain some¬
what famous for his many eccentricities, who came to this county
in 1812, and was a member of Col. Nathan Boone’s company of ran¬
gers during the Indian War; Jesse Coton who located near the present
site of Marthasville in 1811. Dr. Andrew Fourt, a native of Maryland,
who came to the countv in 1810, after the Indian War, during which
he was with Capt. James Callaway’s company. The Doctor was chosen
one of the commissioners to locate the county seat of Montgomery
county. After the selection of Pinckney he removed to that place,
and died in that vicinity in 1852. Havoly Griswold a native of Con¬
necticut, who afterwards became a noted character in Montgomery
county, opened the second store in Marthasville, acquired a large
fortune, represented Montgomery county in the State Legislature,
and was the person who so strenuously opposed the exhumation of the
bod}^ of the renowned Boone in 1845. James Hughes, or “ Old
Jimmy,” as he was familiarly known, located near Hopewell at a
veiy early day. Absalom Hays came in 1816. He was the second
sheriff of Montgomery county, and when Warren county was organ¬
ized filled the same position there for 12 years. William Hancock
was a pioneer of both Kentucky and Missouri, and came to what is
now Warren county about 1798. He settled on what has since been
known as Hancock’s Bottom and his daughter Mrs. Hamilton is now
living on the old homestead. David Howard, a Kentuckian, came to
Warren county in 1819, and located in what is now Charrette town¬
ship. He was a prominent man in the community, a devout and con¬
scientious Christian, whose death was mourned by a host of warm per¬
sonal friends. His son John A. Howard, now lives in Warrenton,
and has been sheriff* of the county for two terms. Jared Erwin, settled

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1031

in Missouri, following the War of 1812, in which he was a soldier
from Kentucky. He occupied several public positions in Warren
county, having been county judge from 1834 to 1838, and again from
1850 to 1854. Benjamin James, located in what is (now) Warren
county in 1811, and was a soldier during the Indian War. His son
William was atone time judge of the county court, and afterwards
treasurer and sheriff of the county, and a very well known and highly
respected citizen. Dr. John Jones, located in Charrette in 181 7 ,
and afterwards became a renowned physician, and married Minerva
Callaway, daughter of Flanders Callaway and grand-daughter of Dan¬
iel Boone. They lived near Marthasville. He was cruelly murdered
on the 22d of January, 1842, while standing in his door yard by an
assassin who was concealed in the woods near the house. Great ex¬
citement followed this murder, diligent search for the murderer how¬
ever failed to bring him to justice, and his identity never was ascer¬
tained. Martin Kite, a Virginian, who built a mill on Charrette, came
in 1835, and became a prominent character. Thomas Leeper, Law¬
rence Long, and William Langford, a soldier of the War of 1812,
came about 1820. William J. Lamme settled in Warren county in
1803, soon after Boone’s arrival. He was first lieutenant of Nathan
Boone’s rangers, and was afterwards major of a regiment during the
Indian War. He married Francis Callaway, a grand-daughter of
Daniel Boone. Hugh Liles settled in Charrette in 1809, and was a
soldier in the War of the Revolution. John Northcutt came in 1820,
George Owings settled on the creek in 1816. John Wyatt who had
been a captain in the War of 1812, settled in the township in 1817 ;
His brother Anthony Wyatt located here in 1816, and another brother
Douglas, came the same year. The Wyatts became known as influen¬
tial men, and all left large families. Joseph G. Waller, who was at
one time judge of the county court, settled here in 1830.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

FRANK H. BARRINGHAUS

(Farmer, Post-office, Holstein).

Mr. Barringhaus was born near Osnabruck, in Germany, February
9, 1825, and was a son of Frederick and Marie (Meajer) Barring¬
haus, who lived until their deaths is their native country. Frank
H. was reared in the vicinity where he was born, and at the age

1032

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

of 21 came to America, landing at New Orleans and coming thence
up the river to St. Louis. He made his home in the latter city
for some 15 years; and in 1855 was married to Miss Johanne
Schuller, formerly of Germany. She died five years afterwards
leaving: him three children: Frances, now the wife of E. Heneke, of
Dutzow ; Mary, wife of William Himmelberg, of Warren county,
and Henry. In 1861 Mr. B. was married in St. Louis to Miss Eliza¬
beth Schreiber. The following year he removed to Warren county
and has since made this his home. He has been engaged in farming
continuously in this county since his removal here. His home place
contains about 100 acres, and he has 40 acres in another tract about a
mile from his homestead. He also owns property in Holstein. By his
second wife Mr. Barringhaus has three children : Joseph, Louisa aud
Louis. Mrs. Barringhaus’ parents were Wilhelm and Marie Schreiber,
formerly of Germany.

REV. FATHER JOHN BERTENS

(Parish Priest of the Catholic Church, Dutzow).

The name that heads this sketch is borne by a worthy priest whose
life has been devoted and is solemnly consecrated to the service of his
Maker, the church and his fellow-creatures. Father Bertens, so
far as we are able to judge, seems to be a man in every way worthy
of the high and sacred office he has been called to fill, and in his
parish, both among those of the church and Protestants, he bears
the name of a profoundly pious, earnest and Christian-hearted worker
in the cause of religion and of the church, and he is spoken of by all from
whom an expression has been heard, as being a priest of a high order
of ability and learning. He is a native of Holland, born at Uden-
hout, North Brabant, on the 14th of April, 1835. He was a son of
John and Anne Mary (Van Riel) Bertens, his father an industrious
and energetic farmer of that place. His early youth was spent on the
farm and attending the local parish school. Later along he entered
the St. Michael and Gestel College where he took a somewhat thor-
ouo'h course. Deciding: to devote himself to the service of the church
as a priest, he took a regular course of training with that object in
view, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1861, on May 25. Father
Bertens came to America in November, 1866, and first resided in Vine-
mount, Bollinger county, Mo., for eleven years. He came to Dut¬
zow, March 9, 1878, to assist the then rector of the church, Rev.
Father Heckmann, who, on account of sickness, was for the time not
able to attend to the spiritual wants of his parishioners. On the 1st
of October, of the same year, Rev. Heckmann resigned his rectorate,
when Father Bertens was appointed his successor by the most Rev.
Archbishop Kenrick of St. Louis. Father Bertens is greatly esteemed
by his parishioners for his many estimable qualities of head and heart
and his Christian graces, and he has the profound respect of the entire
community.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1033

HERMAN H. BIERBAUM

(Of Bierbaum’s Steam Grist and Saw-mill, Post-office, Femme Osage).

Mr. Bierbaum came to Warren county at the age of 21, in 1845,
and learned the milling business under C.H. Schaaf, afterwards his
father-in-law, and he has continued in the industry ever since, for a
period now of nearly 40 years. He is now the owner and proprietor of
the old Schaaf mill property, and continues the business on the same
site where his father-in-law built and started the first horse-mill of
the county, in 1841. Subsequently, in about five years, Mr. Schaaf
changed his mill to an ox-mill, which he ran for nearly 20 years.
This in turn was replaced by a steam-mill in 1854, the first one in the
county. Mr. Bierbaum bought the steam-mill of his father-in-law in
1860. The engine is now 30 years old, and one of the wooden cog wheels,
still running as glibly as when it was first hewn from its parent tree,
is over 40 years old. The mill-house is a substantial three-story
stone structure built of rough rock and a very picture of stability.
Mr. Bierbaum has a good place of 200 acres, well improved, in¬
cluding a substantial, comfortable residence and other buildings. He
was born in Munster Wester Cappeln, Germany, October 15, 1824,
and was a son of John F. and Katherine M. Bierbaum, who emigrated
to America in 1834 and settled in St. Charles county. The mother-
died there in 1864, and the father in 1880, at the age of 81. Herman
A., the subject of this sketch, grew up on his father’s farm in St.
Charles county, and came thence to Warren county in 1845, as stated
above. October 24, 1848, he was married to Miss Anne M. Schaaf,
a daughter of C.H. Schaaf, who came from Germany in 1834. After
Mr. Schaaf sold out to Mr. Bierbaum he established a mill at Augusta,
in St. Charles county, which he sold to his sons in 1873. He is now
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bierbaum have had 11 children, five of
whom are living: John H., married and a farmer in Jackson
county; Ludwig C., whose wife is deceased and he is now with his
father; Gustave H., married and a farmer of this county; William
F. and Carl G. Mr. Bierbaum’s mill has a capacity of 50 barrels of
meal and flour per day.

REV. ANDREW J. H. BIERBAUM

(Minister of the Evangelical Church, Post-office, Holstein).

Rev. Mr. Bierbaum is a native of St. Charles county, born on his
father’s farm in that county, October 31, 1852. His early youth was
spent on the farm, assisting at such work as he could do and attend¬
ing the neighborhood schools. However, while he was yet a youth
his parents removed to Warren county, where they made their perma¬
nent home. In 1868 young Bierbaum entered the Central Wesleyan
College, at Warrenton, where he took a two-years’ course. He then
matriculated at the Missouri Seminary, where he studied for four
years, and on the 5th of July, 1874, was regularly ordained a minis-

1034

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

ter of the Evangelical Church of North America. He shortly
received a call from Wisconsin and went to that State, where he was
engaged in the work of the ministry for five years. While there, oil
the 15th of October, 1874, he was married to Miss Ernestine Fiebig,
a daughter of August Fiebig, of Sheboygan county, that State. Mr.
Bierbaum returned to Warren county in 1879, and has since been
occupied with the duties of the ministry in that county. He is a man
of fine scholarly attainments, thoroughly versed in theology, an able
and eloquent preacher, and, above all, a profoundly earnest and
zealous Christian minister. Mr. and Mrs. Bierbaum have five chil¬
dren : Herman H., Daniel, Paul, Theodore and Emma. Mr. B. was
the sixth in the family of 10 children of H. H. and Wilhelmina
(Gosejacob) Bierbaum, both originally from Germany.

LOUIS BIESEMEYER

• (Farmer and Stock-raiser, and Proprietor of the Hotel Holstein).

Mr. Biersemeyer is a native of Prussia, born at Lippe-Detmold,
February 18, 1842, and was the third of the family of seven chil¬
dren, three of whom are living, of William and Charlotta Biesemeyer,
his father a carpenter by trade. The father died in 1874, and the
mother in 1853. Both were members of the Evangelical Church.
Louis learned the carpenter’s trade under his father, and in 1866
came to the United States, landing at Baltimore. He worked there
a year and then came to St. Louis, coming thence to Warrenton in a
short time. Here he worked for F. Oberleg at carpentering, and
afterwards for Fritz Seivert at carpentering and milling. For Mr.
Seivert he ran the mill at Lippestadt for two years, and in 1870 came
to Holstein, where he built a mill, which he run for three years. He
then took in a partner, William Rung, and in a short time traded his
interest for a mill and farm on Loutre Island, where he remained for
about two years. Upon returning to Holstein he engaged in the hotel
business at this place, and also in building and improving property.
He has a farm of 160 acres, and he is engaged in handling stock to
some extent. Mr. Biersemeyer is an energetic, industrious business
man and well deserves the substantial success he has achieved.
August 23, 1867, he was married to Miss Charlotta, a daughter of
Henry Riechers, formerly of Germany, but who came to Missouri in
1867. Mr. Biesemeyer and wife have five children : Wilhelmina,
Johanna, Louis, Matilde and Laura. Two are deceased, Henry and
Frederica. Mr. and Mrs. Biesemever are members of the Evangelical
Church.

WILLIAM H. BRINKMANN

(Farmer, Post-office, Marthasville) .

Prominent among the energetic and progressive young farmers of
the vicinity of Marthasville is the subject of the present sketch, a
young man of college education and for a time a popular school¬
teacher of the county. His father, George H. Brinkman rr, came over

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1035

in 1833 and located at Femme Osage, where he worked at the wagon
maker’s trade for a number of years. In 1860 he was married to
Miss Charlotte Sundermeyer, formerly of Germany, who came over
with her parents in 1832. In 1855 Mr. Brinkmann’s father bought
a tract of 150 acres of land on the Missouri river bottom, on which
he located and where he improved a farm. After 1866 he followed
farming exclusively until his death. He died on this place in 1876.
His widow survived him up to 1882. Of their family of six children
four are living, and all still residing on the old homestead, of whom
William H. is the eldest. The others are Emma, Lovena and Anna.
William H. Brinkmann was educated at the Central Wesleyan Col¬
lege of Warrenton, where he graduated in the class of ’81. He sub¬
sequently taught school in the county for two terms, after which he
located on the old homestead and engaged in farming. Here he has
since resided. The farm contains 250 acres of good bottom land and
is one of the choice farms of the township. Mr. Brinkmann is a
member of the Evangelical Church at Marthasville.

ANDERSON BURGESS

(Farmer, Post-office, Marthasville) .

This old and respected citizen of Warren county is a native of North
Carolina, born in Rowan county, April 24, 1808. His father, Thomas
Burgess, was from Virginia, but his mother, whose maiden name was
Pollv Hunter, was born and reared in North Carolina. Anderson

•j

Burgess, after he grew up in Rowan county, was married, across in
Tennessee, July 4, 1830, to Elizabeth Whittaker, a daughter of Will¬
iam Whittaker, formerly of North Carolina. The year after his mar¬
riage Mr. Burgess removed to Missouri, and located first in Frank-
lin county, but shortly afterwards on Smith’s creek, in what is now
Warren county. Barring one or two short absences he has been a
resident of Warren county ever since, for a period of over half a cen¬
tury, or since before the county was formed. He removed to his
present place in 1855, where he has a good homestead comfortably
improved. Mr. and Mrs. Burgess have had nine children : Wayman
L., deceased ; Malissa J., wife of John Fuort, a farmer of Arkansas ;
Polly A., wife of N. C. Tice; Clemensa, wife of P. Sullins ; Virlena,
wife of B. D. Bryan; Dudley H., Valentine, Sarah, wife of John
Wilkerson ; Adolphus A., deceased July 2, 1879. Mr. Burgess has
retired from active work himself and rents his farm out. He is com¬
fortably situated. His two sons are at home. Valentine is married
and is now justice of the peace of Charrette township. He had pre¬
viously held the offices of constable and deputy constable. He was
born November 10, 1843, and was married October 2, 1879, to Miss
Frankie L., a daughter of Francis and Annie Wyatt of this county.
’Squire Burgess makes a very capable and upright magistrate, and his
courts always command the respect and confidence of litigants no less
than of the community at large. He is a worthy member of the A.
F. and A. M.

1036

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

FREDERICK G. CLYCE

(Farmer, Post-office, Holstein).

Milford Clyce, the father of the subject of this sketch, was one of
the early settlers of Warren county. He came here in 1825 and entered
land and improved a farm. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and
followed that in connection with farming for a number of years, but in
1840 he dropped his trade, and afterwards until his death followed
farming exclusively. He died March 18, 1856. His wife, who was a
Mi ss Williams before her marriage, died in 1869. Frederick G.
Clyce was born at his father’s homestead in Pinckney township, War¬
ren county, 1835. He grew up on the farm and remained with his
father until he was 21 years of age, when, uniting himself in
marriage with Miss Elizabeth HowTard on the 6th of May, 1856,
he shortly afterwards secured a piece of land and improved a
farm of his own. He has continued the occupation of farming from
that time until the present, and by his industry and good management
has become comfortably situated. He has handled stock to some extent
from time to time, and has followed one or two other lines of industry,
but never to the extent of abandoning farming. For a time he was
in Colorado and Kansas, but shortly returned. Mr. Clyce’s first wife
died in 1864, and four years afterwards he was married to Miss
Minerva A. Clark, a daughter of W. S. Clark, of Kansas. Of the
eight children born of the second marriage five are living : Kate, Mary,
Minerva, Frederick and Maud. When a boy Mr. Clyce lived in the
town of Pinckney, then a flourishing village, and the first county seat
of Warren county, with court-house, jail, etc. ; but the site of the place
has long since been swept away by the changing current of the Mis¬
souri river.

HERMAN DICKHAUS

(Farmer, Post-office, Dutzow).

Mr. Dickhaus comes of an ancient German family, one whose lineage
traces back to the tribal days of Germany, when the people generally
lived in block houses. His family took its name from an unusually
large block house in which they lived in those days, the name
“ Dickhaus ” in German meaning blockhouse in English. Mr. Dick-
haus’ father was Herman Dickhaus, Sr., formerly of Hanover, Ger¬
many, but later of Warren county, Mo. The mother was a Miss
Elizabeth Kuehne, also of Hanover, Germany. They were married
in their native country, and Herman, Jr., the fourth in their family
of nine children, was born at Hanover, October 14, 1829. In 1835
they came to America and located in St. Charles county. In a short
time they removed to Warren county where the father became a suc¬
cessful farmer. When he landed at New Orleans, on coming to
America, his full stock of worldly wealth amounted to five German
thalers. But he was a man of industry, frugality and sturdy intelli-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1037

gence, and in this country he accumulated property with steady and
substantial strides. He became one of the well-to-do and highly re¬
spected citizens of Warren county. The old-fashioned German hos¬
pitality of his home was remarked by all who passed his way. None
enjoyed the society of their friends more than he, and none treated
them more generously and neighborly. He died at his comfortable
homestead in this county, surrounded by his family and a large circle
of friends, on the 8th of July, 1884. His loss was profoundly and
widely mourned, notwithstanding he had reached the advanced age of
84. Herman Dickhaus, Jr., was reared in the county and received a
common-school education. In 1854 he was married to Miss Agnes
Macke, a daughter of H. H. and Agnes Macke, formerly of Germany.
Two children are the fruits of this union, Friederiche and Johanne,
the former the wife of Heinrich Hudstedde, and the latter the wife of
Wilhelm Kraener — the first of Pike county, and second of Lafayette
county. Mr. Dickhaus’ first wife died in 1859, and he was afterwards
married to Miss Karoline Willenbrink, a daughter of Arnold Willen-
brink, of St. Charles county. They have five children : Louise, Vin¬
cent, Clare, Heinrich and Marie. Mr. and Mrs. Dickhaus are residing
on their farm in Warren county. Mr. Dickhaus improved this place
years ago, and it is one of the handsome homesteads of the vicinity.
The residence is a fine two-story building, and he has a splendid
orchard on his place.

JUDGE AUGUST H. DICKHAUS

(Judge of the County Court and Farmer, Post-office, Dutzowj.

A well known and prominent citizen of Warren county, Judge Dick¬
haus commands to more than an ordinary degree for a man in public
life the confidence and esteem of men of both political parties, and,
indeed, of all parties and of every class. He was reared in this county,
and has therefore been known to its people from boyhood. Well
known as he is, it is not too much to say that no man in the county
stands with less reproach in public opinion ; in fact, more irreproach¬
able than he. His regular pursuit is farming, and by industry and the
good judgment, which is one of the most marked characteristics he
has, succeeded in placing himself in comfortable circumstances. He
was born in St. Charles county, August 24, 1840, and in 1849 his
parents removed to Warren county. His father, John H. Dickhaus,
born in Oldenburg, Germany, June 22, 1795, was a gallant soldier in
the German army during the Napoleonic wars, and was at the siege of
Moscow and the battle of Waterloo. He was subsequently married
in Germany to Miss Elizabeth Kopmann, and 1831 he immigrated to
the United States with his family and located in Kentucky. Three
years afterwards he came to St. Charles county, Mo., where he en¬
gaged in merchandising, and in 1849 he came to Warren countv and
settled on a farm. He was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that
in connection with other pursuits for many years. He died here in
1874. Judge Dickhaus was reared on the farm in this county, and

1038

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

in 1866 was married to Miss Louisa Lange, a daughter of Fritz Lange,
formerly of Germany. The Judge and Mrs. Dickhaus have been blessed
with eight children, six of whom are living: Rose, Clemens, Louis,
Olivia, Emma and Mathilde. The Judge, who had previously served
as justice of the peace, was elected an associate judge of the county
court in 1882, and is now serving in that capacity.

JOSEPH ECKELCAMP

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Confcord Hill).

Among the old and reliable business men of this part of the county
is the subject of the present sketch, Mr. Eckelcamp, who has been
engaged in business at Concord Hill for the last thirty years. The
little means on which he began business at Concord Hill he saved up
from the returns or products of his own industry. Opening with a
small stock of goods, at the very beginning he made it his motto, to
which he permitted no exceptions, to deal fairly with every one, to
give each of his customers the full worth of the money paid for what
was bought, to sell honest goods, and to treat every one with respect
and in an accommodating manner. The result was, and is, that his
house soon became a popular place to trade for the community, and
soon became thoroughly established in the confidence of the public.
For years it has retained the character for fair dealing which it early
acquired, and there are now a large part of Mr. Eckelcamp’s customers
who have been dealing with him for a generation. He carries a large
stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, notions, furnish¬
ing goods, groceries, queen’s-ware, etc., etc. Mr. Eckelcamp is from
German}' to this country, born in 1830. His father, Henry Eckel¬
camp, was a farmer by occupation, and was accidently killed while
Joseph, his son, the subject of this sketch, was still in infancy. He
was at a house-raising in his neighborhood in Germany, and was struck
by a falling log from the top ofthe wall, which resulted in his death a
short time afterwards. Mr. Eckelcamp’s mother, who was left a
widow with several children bv her husband’s death, was a Miss Eliza-
beth Schaupaut, before her marriage, and died in Germany in about
1842. Joseph Eckelcamp, being thus left an orphan while yet in boy¬
hood, had of course not the best opportunities to qualify himself for
business life as he grew up, and the education he received he acquired
largely by his own desire for knowledge and application to study.
M hen about 13 years of age he came to America with an older brother
and two sisters, who located in St. Louis. There our subject grew
up, and while yet a youth obtained a situation in a grocery store where
he became a clerk, and continued clerking for some twelve vears. In
1854 he came to Concord Hill, and has been here ever since engaged
in business. The same year that he engaged in business at this place,
Mr. Eckelcamp was married to Miss Elizabeth Nauber, a daughter of
Bernard Nauber, formerly of Germany, and among the first settlers
of Warren county. Mr. and Mrs. Eckelcamp have had three children,
two ot whom are living: Louis, who married Miss Lizzie Glosemeyer,
and Mary, the wife of Henry Schaefer.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1039

DR. A. F. EIMBECK

(Post-office, Holstein).

Dr. A. F. Eimbeck was born April 4th, 1842, as the fourth son in
the city of Brunswick, Dukedom of Brunswick, Germany, where his
father the late zoologist, A. F. E. Eimbeck held the office of Inspec¬
tor of the Ducal Museum. He emigrated to the United States located
at St. Louis, kept a drugstore, was assistant resident physician of -the
St. Louis City Hospital, physician to the cholera wards at the city
hospital in 1866, ward physician, served in the army of the United
States and located in September, 1867, at Holstein, Warren county
Mo., where he has established a lucrative practice, and is well liked
not only as a physician but also as a citizen. He was elected coroner
of Warren countv for three terms, 1868, 1870 and 1880. In 1868 he
married Miss Annette Tuliane Ruge, daughter of the late well known
pioneer, Dr. C. Ruge, of Holstein, Mo., and in this wedlock were
born two sons, Oscar, 1869, and Arthur, 1874. Besides other real es¬
tate the Doctor is the owner of a large farm about two miles east of
New Haven, Mo., on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and on the Mis¬
souri river. Two older brothers of the Doctor, Fred and Charles,
are living near New Haven, Eimbeck’s landing, Mo., and are follow¬
ing farming, and one brother William, is an astronomer, a member of
the United States Coast and Geodetic Survev, since 1870.

HERMAN FORTMANN

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Hopewell Academy) .

Mr. Fortmann was reared to a mercantile life and has followed
merchandising almost continuously, as clerk or proprietor, from
youth. Thus learning the business thoroughly and being a man of
sterling good sense, frugal, and a good manager, he has of course
succeeded. He has one of the best general stores throughout his sec¬
tion of the county, his stock containing everything in the line of gen¬
eral merchandise to be found in a first-class country store. He is a
popular business man and draws custom from a large region of sur¬
rounding country, Mr. Fortmann, like a large percentage of the peo¬
ple of Warren county, is a German by nativity, born near Badbergen,
Hanover, April 23, 1847. He received a common-school education
in his native country and was eighteen years of age when he came to
America in 1865, and his mother and sister came two years later, in
1867, for his father had died in 1850. The mother died in Warren
county in 1873. On coming to this country they first stopped at
Baltimore where Herman clerked in a store for a time. From there
they came to St. Louis, where he also clerked and thence they came
to Warren county. Subsequently he kept store at Wright City, and
then removed his business to New Boston where he is now. In 1874
he was married to Miss Catherine Kerckhoff, a daughter of H. H.
Kerckhoff, a substantial farmer of Warren countv. Mr. and Mrs.

1040

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Fortmann have four children: Emma, Henry, Herman and Lotta,
Mr. F. has but one sister, Annie, now the wife of William Strasjecker,
of St. Louis.

JOSEPH GLOSEMEYER

(Farmer, Post-office, Dutzow).

Mr. Glosemeyer, who owns a good farm in Franklin county, to
which he will shortly remove, when his post-office will be Washington,
is the son of Ernst and Mary Glosemeyer, who came from Germany
in the spring of 1834 and settled in Warren county, where the father
lived until his death. He was a farmer by occupation. Joseph
Glosemeyer was born January 1, 1836. He was raised on the farm
and on the 17th of November, 1863, he was married to Miss
Caroline Krekel, the daughter of Francis and Helena Krekel, formerly
of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Glosemeyer have had eight children, two
of whom are deceased ; the others are : Frances, the wife of Ben.
Hotmer ; Vincent, Mary, Frankie, Helena and Clary. The deceased
are : Theodore and Johanna, who died at tender ages. Mr. Glose¬
meyer has a farm of 167 acres where he now resides, besides his place
of 208 acres in Franklin county, Mo., to which they will shortly
move. He is a man of thorough-going energy, and one of the sub¬
stantial and successful farmers of the community.

MARTIN HOBELMAN

(Dealer in Merchandise and Postmaster, Dutzow).

Mr. Hobelman came to Dutzow in 1881 and engaged in his present
business, and the following year was appointed postmaster at this
place, a position he still holds. He has a neat stock of goods in his
line, and by dealing fairly with everybody and treating every one with
proper respect and consideration he has succeeded in making himself
one of the popular business men of this part of the county. He has
built up a good trade, and his future in business seems altogether en¬
couraging. He was born near Wegenholdhause, in Prussia, October
17, 1848, and was the second of three children of David Hobelman
and wife, nee Lizzie Stumphe, his father a cabinet-maker. The family
came to America in 1852 and settled in Franklin county. Mr. Hobel-
man’s father died there in 1864, and young Martin was reared by his
uncle Heilman, with whom he remained until 1877. He then engaged
in merchandising on his own account in Franklin county, where he
continued until his removal to Dutzow three years ago. January 11,
1881, Mr. Hobelman was married to Miss Mary E. Bernd, a daughter
of Thomas and Lizzie Bernd, of Franklin county. Mr. and Mrs. H.
have three children : Thomas, Anthony and Eliza. He and wife are
members of the Catholic Church.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1041

FRANK ANTHONY KRACHT

t \

(Principal of St. Ignatius’ School, Concord Hill, Post-office, Holstein).

Mr. Kracht, a man of thorough and advanced collegiate education
and an educator by profession (having taken a regular course of train¬
ing for this pursuit, which he has followed continuously since quit-
ing college), has had charge of his present school, which is under the
patronage and control of the Catholic congregation of St. Ignatius’
Church at Concord Hill, since the fall of 1881, and has given entire
satisfaction in the management of the school, not only establishing
himself thoroughly in the confidence and respect of his patrons and
the public generally as a teacher, but winning at the same the high
esteem of his pupils, both in his success in advancing them with pro¬
ficiency in their studies and for his kind and considerate, though firm
treatment of them in the school room and as individuals. Like many
of the better citizens of Warren county, he is a German by nativity
and bringing up. He was born at Cobbenrode, Prussia, December
24, 1860, and is a son of Joseph Francis Kracht, mayor of Cobben¬
rode, a man of consideration and high standing, burgomaster, or
mayor, of that place for 25 years. Young Kracht was given good
advantages for an education. After completing a course in the pre¬
paratory schools, he matriculated at Schmallenberg College which he
attended for three terms. He then entered normal college, of the
Teachers’ Seminary at Ruethen, where he took a complete course and
graduated in the class of ’79. After this Mr. Kracht engaged in
teaching at Hulshotten, where he continued for a year, coming thence
to America in 1880. Although he had studied the languages in his
native country, he felt that he was not sufficiently conversant with
English to teach in this country with success without further study.
He, therefore, entered the St. Francis Teachers’ Seminary at Mil¬
waukee, Wis., where he spent a year. Immediately after this he re¬
ceived a call to take charge of his present school, which he accepted ;
and he has since been teaching at this place. Personally, the teacher
is a young gentleman of pleasant bearing, cultured manners and ad¬
dress, and evidently a thorough scholar and of a high sense of honor.
He is a member of the Catholic Church.

FREDERICK W. KRUETZMANN

(Clerk forF. A. Schaberg & Co., Marthasville) .

Mr. K’.s parents, F. W. and Sophia Kruetzmann, came to America
from der land von dev Nibelungen Lied in 1843, and settled in Warren
county where the father engaged in farming and where Frederick W.
was reared. The father died when the son was quite young, and the
latter was born February 2, 1844, and was reared by his step-father,
E. H. Luhro. At the age of 21 young Kruetzmann went to Minne¬
sota, where he spent something over a year attending school, princi¬
pally. Afterwards he returned to Missouri and became a clerk for

1042

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Gerhard Schaberg at Femme Osage, where he clerked for over four
years. He then engaged in business on his own account in partner¬
ship with F. M. Griswold at that place, carrying on the business for
about five years, when he began farming in this county. In 1880,
Mr. Kruetzmann entered the store of F. A. Schoberg & Co., at
Marthasville, as a clerk, in which position he has ever since been re¬
tained by the firm. He is a popular salesman and good business man,
and has contributed not a little to building up the large trade which
this house commands. January 3, 1872, Mr. Kruetzmann was married
to Miss Elise Rowie, a daughter of Adolph and Harie Rowie, formerly
of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. K. have two children : Elihu and Emil.

HERMAN D. KUNZE, JR.

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Hopewell).

It was away back in the early days of the country that Mr. Kunze’ s
grandfather, Jonathan Kunze, came to Missouri with his family from
Saxony, in the Fatherland, and settled in St. Charles county. Herman
Kunze, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, was then a lad
only four years of age, having been born in Saxony, May 19, 1834.
He grew up on his father’s farm in St. Charles county, and
in 1853 was married to Miss Louise Rithorst. The following
year they removed to Warren county, and settled on the farm
where she still resides, and where Herman D. also makes his
home. The father died here in 1873. Seven of the family of children
are living, namely: Louisa, Herman* D., Mary* the wife of Louis
Bolm ; Julius, Edwin, Albert and Robert. Herman D. Kunze, the
subject of this sketch, was born on the farm in Warren county, July
21, 1856, and was brought up to the occupation of farming, which he
still follows. April 19, 1883, he was married to Miss Emma, a
daughter of Ernest and Florintina Multhaupt, of this country, but
formerly of German v. Mr. and Mrs. Kunze reside on the old familv
homestead where he is engaged in farming. The place contains 336
acres of land and is well improved. Mr. K. also makes a business of
raising stock, and deals to some extent in cattle, hogs, horses, mules,
sheep, etc.

LOUIS LEHMBERG

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Holstein;.

Mr. Lehmberg’s father, Ernest Lehmberg, a native of Westphalia,
Germany, was the first merchant of Holstein, establishing a store here
in 1843, and he was the first postmaster at this place, continuing to
serve lor 25 years, from the time the office paid a salary of $1.50 up
to when it amounted to a sum worth making a contest for. He also
continued merchandising here until his old age, when he retired from
business on a respectable competenc}^. He was born in Germany,
October 18, 1807, and was a son of Rudolph and Elizabeth Lehmberg,
who both continued to reside in their native country until their deaths.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1043

March 3, 1837, Ernest Lehmberg was married in Germany to Miss
Charlotta Tiamann, and the same year with his young wife he em¬
barked for America, coming directly to Warren county, where he
bought a farm and still resides. His good wife died June 25, 1883.
She was a life-long member of the Evangelical Church, and he has
been a member for many years. He and 11 others founded the
church at Holstein. Besides Louis there were five other children in
the family, but only one other is now living. Louis Lehmberg, the
subject of this sketch, was born in Warren county, November 24,
1842, and was reared on the farm and in the store. He also received
a high school education, and in 1863 enlisted in the Union service
under Gen. A. J. Smith, and was honorably promoted during his term
for meritorious conduct as a soldier. He fought with great gallantry
in the bloody battle of Spanish Fort. Returning home, in 1866, he
opened a store at Holstein, and has been engaged in business at this
place ever since, except for about six months that he was mail agent
on the North Missouri Railway, between St. Louis and Kansas City.
He carries a general stock of dry goods, groceries, queen’s-ware, etc.,
etc. He has a good trade and is one of the popular merchants of
Holstein. In 1873 he was married to Miss Mary Muench, a daughter
of Hon. Adolphus Muench, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lehmberg
have five children: Hugo, Eugene, Gustavus and Werner. Laura,

O O

the eldest, died at four years.

HENRY MASSMANN

(Farmer, Post-office, Holstein).

Mr. Massmann was born in the same county and the same township
where he now resides, and these have been his home continuously from
his birth. The date of his birth was the 14th of February, 1841.
His parents were Martin Massmann and wife, Mary Massmann. The
father was an energetic farmer and respected citizen of this county, and
died herein 1849. The mother died at the age of 78, in 1880. Both
were members of the Catholic Church. Henry was reared to a farm
life. In 1862 he entered the militia and served with fidelity until the
close of the war* A part of the time, however, he was at home, and
his military duties did not then call him away. In 1864 he was mar¬
ried to Miss Louisa Leonmann, a daughter of Ernst Leonmann, a
farmer of this county, but formerly of Germany. Mr. Massman had
previously learned the carpenter’s trade, and had worked at that con¬
siderably before his marriage. After his marriage he settled on a
farm near Holstein, where he resided until the spring of 1884, when
he came to his present place in Concord Hill. Here he is engaged in
the boarding-house business, and also has a good saloon. Mr. and
Mrs. M. have three children : Barnett, Casper and Vincent. They
have lost three : Lewis, Alice and Francis. He and wife are members
of the St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

1044

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

CHARLES H. MITTLER

(Hotel-keeper and Retail Dealer in Wines, Liquors, Cigars, Etc., Marthasville) .

Mr. Mittler’ s parents were among the early settlers of Warren
county, having come here early in the thirties, and they are still re¬
siding in the county, comfortably situated on their farm, where they
have lived for nearly half a century. His father, John Mittler, is well
known as one of the old and respected citizens of Charrette township.
His mother’s maiden name was Marie. They reared a family of five
children, three sons and two daughters, the former of whom reside in
this county, and the latter are married and residents of Franklin
county. Charles H. Mittler was born on his father’s farm in this
county January 6, 1839, and was reared to farm work, attending the
neighborhood schools as he grew up. June 1, 1866, he was married
to Miss Margaret ha Wahl, a daughter of Gerhard and Elizabeth
Wahl, of this countv, but formerlv of Germanv. Six children are
the fruits of this union: John, George, Julius, Alviene, Ida and
Arthur. After his marriage Mr. Mittler continued farming, to
which he had been brought up and had previously followed until
1870, when he came to Marthasville and engaged in his present
business. He keeps a good house, and in the liquor branch has an
especially enviable reputation among the corps de salon for the ex¬
cellent brands of wines and liquors he carries in stock. He keeps
a quiet, respectable and orderly house, one in which no minister
of not less hypocrisy than honest religion need be ashamed to en¬
joy Paul’s favorite beverage — a glass of pure wine. During the war
Mr. Mittler served about a year in the Union army, in Co. F, Fifth
Missouri cavalrv, under Gen. Seigel. He was honorablv discharged on
account of physical disability.

HON. ADOLPH MUENCH

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, and Member of the Legislature, Post-office, Holstein).

As is well known to every one in the least acquainted with the
people of Warren county and with its history, the Muench family is
one of the old and prominent families of the county. Rev. Friedrich
Muench, the father of Hon. Adolph Muench, the subject of this
sketch, came to this county from Germany with his family as early as
1832. He was educated in Germany for the ministry in the Protest¬
ant Lutheran Church, and was dulv ordained there, having taken a
thorough course of preparatory training, both general and theologi¬
cal. He was married in Germany in 1826 to Miss Mariana Borberg,
and was engaged in the ministry there uutil his emigration to the
United States. He came directly to Warren county with his family
where he made his permanent home. By reason of his high charac¬
ter, fine ability and superior culture, as well as his eloquence in the
pulpit and his zeal in the cause of religion, he at once took the posi¬
tion in this county not only of one of its leading ministers of the

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1045

Gospel, but of one of its most prominent, influential and highly re¬
spected citizens. He was the leader of the German element, especially
of the country from the beginning. Rev. Mr. Muench was actively
engaged in the ministry for some 15 years. He was also called to
take an active part in public affairs and was elected to different posi¬
tions of trust and prominence. He represented this senatorial district
in the State Senate with marked ability and with more than ordinary
influence in that body. He also became a successful farmer of ' the
county and comfortably situated in life. He died here in December,
1881, in the eighty-third year of his age. Rev. Mr. Muench did a
great deal for Warren county, for he was one of its most active and
public-spirited citizens. He was largely influential in bringing about
the heavy German settlement made here, a class of citizens who have
contributed much to make this county what it is. He was one of the
first men in the State to encourage wine culture, about which he wrote
a number of books ; he also wrote two books about the State of Mis¬
souri, which were spread all over Germany, calling or encouraging
emigration to this State. He was for a number of years a
member of the State Board of Emigration. He was a regular
correspondent of a number of political and agricultural papers.
There is actually no man in the three counties whose name is more
known in the United States and Germany than that of Rev. Friedrich
Muench. Hon. Adolph Muench was the second in his father’s family,
and the oldest son of his father’s children, and was born in Germanv
on the 1st of November, 1828. He was, therefore, principally reared
in Warren county. Mr. Muench received a good general education,
mainly under instruction from his father. He became a farmer as he
grew up, the occupation, indeed, to which he was reared and which
he has ever since continued to follow. In 1853 he was mar¬
ried to Miss Christine Schaaf, formerly of Germany. She died in
1866 leaving him seven children, namely: Mary, the wife of Louis
Lehmberg ; August, Theodore, Antonie, the wife of Casper Vogel-
song ; Alfred, Henry and Edward. In 1867 Mr. Muench was married
to Mrs. Elizabeth Folernius, a widow lady and a sister to Tom Fariss,
cashier of the Warrenton Bank. There is one child by his present
marriage, and Mrs. Muench has two children by her first husband.
Mr. Muench, being a man of industry and energy and a good business
manager, has been successful as a farmer, and is one of the substan¬
tial, as well as prominent and influential citizens of the county. For
12 years he held the office of justice of the peace, and for 18 the of¬
fice of notary public, and in 1868 and in 1882 he was elected to rep¬
resent Warren county in the State Legislature in which he served with
credit alike to the county and to himself. Mr. Muench has a good
farm of 240 acres which is well improved. He and wife are members
of the Protestant Church, in which his father was for many years a
minister.

1046

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

WILLIAM OBERHELLMANN and AUGUST BRUEGGENJO¬
HANN

(Of Oberhellmanu and Brueggenjohann, Dealers in General Merchandise, Furniture and

Farm Produce, Holstein).

The above named gentlemen constitute one of the leading mercantile
and business firms of the southern part of Warren county, and carry an
unusually large and well selected stock of goods in the line of general
merchandise, and buy and ship quite extensively farm produce of all
kinds raised throughout their part of the county. The business was
established originally by Ruge Bros, in 1876. They sold out to
Hackmann & Russe, who, in 1881, sold to H. Oberhellmann & Son.
In the spring of 1.884 H. Oberhellmann, the father of William Ober¬
hellmann, sold his interest in the store to Mr. August Brueggenjohann,
who is now an equal partner with Mr. William Oberhellmann in the
firm. They carry a stock of about $7,000 and do an annual business
of over $20,000. There is no more popular and successful firm in
this part of the county than theirs. “ Fair Dealing, Large Sales and
Small Profits ” is the motto or sinnspruch under which they suc¬
ceeded and hope to succeed.

William Oberhellmann, the senior member of the firm, was born
and reared in Warren county — born November 25, 1849 — and is a
son of Henry and Mary (Niemann) Oberhellmanu, who came to this
county from Germany in 1851. William, after he grew up, was mar¬
ried in 1874 to Miss Caroline Knapheide, a daughter of Ernst Knap-
heide, also originally from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Oberhellmann
have one child, Annette.

August Brueggenjohann, the junior member of the firm, is also
a native of the county, and a son of William B. and Christine
(Stineker) Brueggenjohann, who came from Germany to Warren
county, in 1844. August Brueggenjohann was born on his father’s
farm, in this county, February 2, 1860. He was reared on the farm
and received a good common-school education. He became a mmeber
of the above named firm, as stated above, early in 1884. Mr. Brueg¬
genjohann is a young man of good business qualities and is proving a
valuable addition to the business house with which he is connected.
In 1883 Mr. B. was married to Miss Louisa Knapheide, a daughter or
Ernst Knapheide.

HENRY W. OBERHELLMANN

(Farmer, Post-office, Holstein).

With the large influx of German settlers in North-east Missouri be¬
tween 1830 and 1840, and particularly in St. Charles and Warren coun¬
ties, was the father of the subject of the present sketch, Henry A. Ober¬
hellmann, who came to America with his family in 1833 and settled in
Warren county. He was a millwright by trade in Germany, but in¬
tended to follow farming exclusively in this country. He died, how¬
ever, in about a year after settling in the county. Henry W. Ober-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1047

hellman, the subject of this sketch, was about 10 years of age when
the family came to Warren county. In 1849 he was married here to
Mi ss Engel Niemann, a daughter of F. Niemann, of Warren county,
but formerly of Germany. To them were born two children, one
of whom died in infancy. The other, William, is a merchant and post¬
master at Holstein. Before his marriage Mr. Oberhellmann had be-
gun farming for himself, and this he continued afterwards. In 1852
he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who was taken from him -by
the inexorable hand of death. Subsequently he was married to Miss
Sophia Bierbaum, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Bierbaum,
originally of Germany, but at the time residents of St. Charles
county, both of whom are now deceased. By his last marriage were
born nine children, two of whom died in infancy, The others are :
Henry, Mina, Fritz, Johanne, Martin, Daniel and Anne, the last of
whom is the eldest and wife of Fritz Lichtenberg, a farmer of this
county. Mr. Oberhellmann has for years been justly regarded as one
of the industrious farmers and worthy citizens of Charrette township.
His tract of land contains 255 acres, a large part of which is under
fence and well improved. He was one of the founders of the Ger¬
man Church at Holstein.

HENRY A. OBERHELLMANN

(Farmer and Justice of the Peace, Post-office, Holstein).

’Squire Oberhellmann was a grandson of Henry A. Oberhellmann,
who settled in this county from Germany in 1833, and is a sou of
Frederick A. Oberhellmann and nephew of Henry W. Oberhellmann,
the last two of whom are still living, and are worthy, respected citi¬
zens of Warren county. ’Squire Oberhellmann was born in this
county, December 31, 1846, and was reared on his father’s farm. He
obtained a good common school education in the district schools of
the neighborhood where he was reared, and continued to make his
home with his parents until he was about 25 years of age, or until he
was married. August 24, 1871, he was married to Miss Margarethe,
a daughter of Henry and Christine Borgman, formerly of Germany.
The ’Squire and Mrs. Oberhellmann are blessed with five children:
Caroline, Mary, Emily, William and Ida. After his marriage ’Squire
O. located on a farm with his young wife and engaged in farming for
themselves, He has a neat farm of about 100 acres, and is regarded
as one of the industrious, frugal, thrifty farmers of the vicinity. In
1874 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holds,
having been appointed and re-elected ever since. He and his wife are
members of the Evangelical Church at Holstein, Mo.

PROF. P. FREDERICK PEITZ

(Principal of the Dutzow School, Dutzow) .

As in this country, so in every other, and to a more marked degree
in the countries of Europe than here, particularly in Germany, is

• 61

1048

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

society divided into classes, more or less distinctly defined by differ¬
ences of character, intelligence, position in affairs, culture, etc.
Prof. Peitz, born and reared in Germany, is a representative of one of
the better classes of society in his native country, Prussia. His father,
still residing1 there, is a successful contractor, and a man of marked
intelligence and good education. Prof. Peitz was born in Mintard,
Kreis (county) Disseldorf, on the Rhine, in Prussia, September 25,
1852. His mother was a Miss Gertrude Huelsmann before her mar¬
riage, and of a very worthy and respected family. The Professor was
the second in the family of six children, and like the others, was given
good school advantages as he grew up. He took a four years’ course
at the Marcellum College, in Cologne, Germauy, and afterwards, in
1869, came to America. Here, in order to more thoroughly qualify
himself for teaching in the English language, he took a special course
at St. Joseph’s College in Teutopolis, Effingham county, III., where
he graduated in 1870. He was then employed as a teacher at St.
Alovsius College, in East St. Louis, and later along, taught with suc¬
cess in St. Louis county. Early in 1872, he was employed to take
charge of the school at Dutzow, where he has ever since continued.
The tact that for 13 years he has had charge of one school is a greater
commendation of him as a teacher and an individual than anything
that could be said here to his credit. On the 20th of April, 1880,
Prof. Peitz was married to Miss Minerva Krekel, an accomplished
daughter of Col. Francis Krekel, formerly of Germany. Mrs. Peitz
is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy, at Washington, Mo. The Pro¬
fessor and Mrs. Peitz have two children: Johanne and Wilhelm A.
Prof. Peitz is comfortably situated at Dutzow, having a handsome
residence property, which is kept in neat and presentable condition.
He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

CAPT. CHARLES E. RUGE

(County Assessor, Post-office, Holstein).

Capt. Ruge, a native of Denmark, born December 9, 1831, was
principally reared in Franklin county, Mo., to which his parents emi¬
grated with their family in 1839. He was the son of Dr. Charles J.
and Caroline (Krag) Ruge, his father a prominent physician of their
native country and afterwards of Franklin county. In 1857 they
crossed over into Warren county, where they made their permanent
home. Dr. Ruge died in 1876 while on a visit at Washington, in
Franklin county. His wife died the same year. Capt. Ruge, the sub¬
ject of this sketch, came to Warren county with his parents in 1857,
and the same year was married to Miss Charlotta Duebbert, a daugh¬
ter of J. F. Duebbert, of St. Charles county, but formerly of Ger¬
many. Capt. Ruge was engaged in farming until the war broke out
when he went bravely to the defense of the Union. He served as a
private, lieutenant and captain under Gens. Fremont, Sherman and
Grant, and was in some hard fought battles. After the war Capt.
Ruge engaged in farming, but his health broke down, resulting from

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1049

the exposures and hardships he had endured during the war. He was
therefore compelled to quit farming, and in 1870 the people, appre¬
ciating his high character as a man and his business qualifications,
elected him to the office of county assessor. He discharged the duties
of this office so acceptably that he was again elected in 1872, and
has been continuously re-elected every two years, and still holds
the office. This speaks more for his standing in the county as a citi¬
zen and officer than anything that could be said here to his credit.
In 1876 Capt. Ruge lost his first wife, who had borne him five
children, namely: Julius P., a regular graduate of medicine and a
practicing physician of Holstein ; Annette, Antony, Carl and Talitha.
In 1878 Capt. Ruge was married to Miss Anne Staudinger, a daughter
of Louis Staudinger, of St. Louis, There are two children by this
union : Maximilian and Clementine.

HENRY W. RUGE

(Farmer and ex-Assessor of Warren County).

Mr. Ruge was a lad five years of age when his parents, Karl and
Karoline Ruge, immigrated to America with their family from Den¬
mark, their native country. They settled in Franklin county in 1839,
where Henry W. grew to manhood and learned the carpenter’s trade.
At the age of 23, in 1851, he came to Warren county and continued
to work here at his trade until 1861. He then enlisted in the Union
service, becoming a member of Co. B, Third Missouri, under Gen.
Fremont, continuing in the service until the summer of 1864, when
he was honorably discharged. He was early promoted to the rank of
sergeant, which he held until the close of his service. He was in a
number of heavy engagements, and was severely wounded at Mission¬
ary Ridge, Ga. After his discharge Mr. Ruge engaged in merchan¬
dising at Holstein, in which he continued until 1870, when he opened
an agricultural implement house, and also became a dealer in and
shipper of grain. In 1880 Mr. Ruge bought the farm where he now
resides, near Holstein, where he has a comfortable place, including a
neat and commodious residence, well furnished, and is pleasantly sit¬
uated. He was county assessor of Warren county for seven years
consecutively preceding 1872. In January, 1867, Mr. Ruge was mar¬
ried to Miss Louise, a .daughter of Dr. Wilhelm Kerstens. Mrs.
Ruge’s mother was a Miss Elise Barrez before her marriage, and
both parents were from Prussia, coming thence to Franklin county
in 1836, where Dr. Kerstens died in 1855. Her mother is now the
wife of Philip Schieffer, or rather his widow, for he is also deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Ruge have three children : Robert, Theodore and Olga.
Four are deceased : Alvin, Elfrie, Waldemar and Eno. Mr. and
Mrs. R. are members of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Ruge was
born in Denmark, May 15, 1834, and was the third of eleven chil¬
dren of his parents.

1050

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

WILLIAM G. HUGE

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Grain and Country Produce, North Washington).

Mr. Ruge has had a somewhat extended experience in business and
has been satisfactorily successful. He is now recognized as one of
the substantial and prominent business men of the south-eastern
part of Warren county. He carries a large and full line of gen¬
eral merchandise, required by the general trade. He also handles
large quantities of grain, and also buys and ships general farm
produce quite extensively. He pays the best prices for farm products
the market justifies, and buys his goods for cash and sells at the low¬
est possible figures consistent with sound business management. He
is also a large real estate owner, having, besides handsome residence
and business properties, about 2,000 acres of fine land in Missouri
and Arkansas. Mr. Ruge, like his brother Henry W., and also
Charles E., is a native of Denmark, born in Schleswig, September 6,
1839, and was the fifth in his father’s family of children. An outline
of the family history has been given elsewhere. He was reared in
Franklin county and received a common-school education at Wash¬
ington. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. B, Third Missouri, Union service,
as a private, and served until he was honorably discharged in 1864.
He was twice promoted for merit in the service and bravery ; first to
the rank of second lieutenant and then to that of first lieutenant.
After returning from the army he was commissioned first lieutenant-
colonel and then colonel of Warren and Montgomery counties regiment
of E. M. M., which regiment served during Price’s raid through Mis-
souri. In June, 1865, he engaged in merchandising at Holstein,
where he continued with success for about eight years. He then re¬
moved to Washington, in Franklin county, and shortly established his
present business across the river in North Washington. In 1864 Mr.
Ruge was married to Miss Seralda Marshall, a daughter of Henry and
Eliza Marshall, of Warren county, her mother, who was a Miss Barrez,
being of German birth. Mr. and Mrs. R. have six children : Alice,
Adelia, Agnes, Oscar, Ella and Franciska. Mr. and Mrs. R. are
members of the Lutheran Church.

JULIUS P. RUGE, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Holstein).

Dr. Ruge, a regular graduate of medicine and a successful young
physician of the southern part of Warren county, was born and reared
in this county, and was a son of Charles E. Ruge and wife, nee Char-
lotta Dubberdt, natives of Denmark, who settled in this county in
1839. His father was a farmer and made this county his permanent
home. Dr. Ruge was born on his father’s farm in the southern part
of the county, March 14, 1860, and was the eldest of the family of
children. He received a good general English education as he grew
up, taking, besides a common school course, a course in the Warren-
ton Academy, and subsequently attending the State University and

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1051

the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis. In 1880 Dr. Ruge ma¬
triculated at the Missouri Medical College, where he took a regular
course of two terms, and graduated in the class of 1882. After his
graduation he returned to Holstein, where he engaged in the practice
of medicine with Dr. Eimbeck. Subsequently he formed a partner¬
ship with Dr. A. W. Graham. Dr. Ruge, a man of general education
and thoroughly trained in his profession, has had a successful career
as a physician, considering the time he has been engaged in practice.

F. A. SCHABERG

(Of F. A. Schaberg & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise, Groceries, Woolens, Etc.,

Marthasville) .

With an average stock of over $5,000 in the lines of general mer¬
chandise and groceries, and with a large trade throughout the country
surrounding Marthasville, the firm of E. A. Schaberg & Co. may
with truth be said to have one of the leading business houses of the
southern part of Warren county. They also have a large slaughter¬
house, and do a considerable business in this line. Of course a busi
ness so successful and important as is theirs is not the work of a day,
or a week, or a year, but is. the result of years of industry, good
management and close attention to business. This firm has been
doing business at Marthasville for within less than 12 months of 20
years, and has fairly earned by long and patient energy and fair
dealing the gratifying success it has achieved. Well known in this
part of the county, these gentlemen are highly respected and popular
as business men and citizens, as they are well known. Mr. Schaberg
was brought to this country from Germany by his parents while he
was yet in infancy. He was a son of Bernard Schaberg, and was
born in Prussia, March 16, 1835. The family came to Missouri the
following year, and settled in St. Charles county, where the father
entered 540 acres of land and improved a large farm. He died there
in 1866. F. A. Schaberg, the subject of this sketch, was reared on
the farm in St. Charles county, and in 1858 engaged in merchandising
at Femme Osage, in partnership with his cousin, Gerhard Schaberg.
He continued in business at Femme Osage for five years in partner¬
ship with his cousin, and two years afterwards removed to Marthas¬
ville, where he has ever since been engaged in business. March 6,
1856, Mr. Schaberg was married to Miss Dorotha Welge, a daughter
of Christian and Elizabeth Welge, formerly of Germany, and who
came over in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Schaberg have had seven children:
Matilda, wife of Charles Koch ; Auguste, Martha, Benjamin, Gustav,
Amande and Hilda. Two others died at tender ages.

HON. HENRY A. SCHOPPENHORST

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Holstein).

The career of the subject of the present sketch affords a striking
and valuable illustration of what industry and perseverance can accom¬
plish at. farming in Warren county, when directed by good business

1052

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

judgment and intelligence, and accompanied with economy and fru¬
gality. Mr. Schoppenhorst commenced for himself when a young
man practically without a dollar, and although he has yet hardly more
than reached middle age, he is already one of the leading farmers of
Warren county, situated on, and the owner of, one of the finest farms
in the county, and as a citizen he has risen to enviable prominence in
public affairs. His farm is a beautiful place of 227 acres, handsomely
and elaborately improved, including a fine two-story brick residence
erected at a cost of about $4,000, and a large handsome new barn,
built at a cost of over $1,500. His other improvements correspond
favorably with his dwelling and barn, and everything on his place has
the appearance of neatness, thrift and enterprise. Mr. Schoppenhorst
has served his countrv with credit in the State Legislature and has
held other official positions of local consideration. He is a native of
the county, born March 27, 1840. Mr. Schoppenhorst is a son of
William Schoppenhorst, a retired farmer and esteemed citizen of the
county. His mother was a Miss Mary Pieterjohn before her marriage,
and both his parents came over from Germany in 1834. They were
married in this county, however, his mother having come over
when a young lady with her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs.
Fiegenbaum. The mother died in 1861, and his father is now living
with a second wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Schneiderjohn.
By the first marriage there were six children, and none by the second
marriage. Only two of the children, the subject of this sketch, and
Minnie, who is the wife of William Hunnefeld, are living. The father
was born in Prussia, September 5, 1813, and was a son of Hermann
and Elizabeth (Schroer) Schoppenhorst. He is, therefore, now in his
seventy-first year. He is in comfortable circumstances, and is living
in easy retirement at Hopewell Academy,1 Henry Schoppenhorst, the
subject of this sketch, was brought up to work on the farm at his
father’s homestead, and in earlv vouth attended the neighborhood
schools. At the age of 18 he entered the Quincy College, in Illinois,
which he attended for about three vears, thus receiving an advanced
general education. Returning from college in 1861, he worked on the
farm until the fall of the following year, when he enlisted in Co. H,
Thirty- third Missouri infantry, under Gen. Fisk, for the Union service.
His company was subsequently under different commanders, and he
continued in the army until the close of the war. Amongother severe
engagements, he was in those of Pleasant Hill (Ark. ), Tupello (Miss.),
in the rear of Vicksburg, Helena (Ark.), Nashville (Tenn.), and Ft.
Mobile (Ala). Throughout the war he served as an orderly sergeant,
and made an enviable reputation as soldier and officer. At the close
of the war Mr. Schoppenhorst returned to Warren county and engaged
in teaching, which he continued up to the fall of 1867, when he set¬
tled on the place where he now resides. In 1866 he was elected to
the office of justice of the peace, a position he held as long as he would
consent to fill it, for some eight years. In 1872 he was appointed

1 He died while this was in progress of publication, August 29, 1884.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1053

notary public, a commission he still holds. Two years later he was
nominated for, and elected to the Legislature, and his service in
the House was one of marked ability and sound judgment. Mr.
Schoppenhorst has been twice married. In 1865 he was married in
this county to Miss Friderike Hunefeld, a daughter of William and
Christine (Stineker) Hunefeld. She died on December 18, 1867,
leaving one child, a daughter, Mary C. To his present wife Mr. S.
was married May 8, 1868. She was a Miss Katherine Meinershagen,
a daughter of W. F. and Wilhelmina (Brinkmann) Meinershagen.
Mr. and Mrs. Schoppenhorst have eight children: Julius W., Martha
W., Elizabeth C., Emma M., Gustavus A., Clara C., Paul G. and
Arthur B.

FREDERICK SCHWARZE

Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Hopewell).

The present sketch bears witness briefly to the life and career of a
man whose time has been industriously and honestly spent and whose
labor and frugality are rewarded with an ample competence for him¬
self and familv through his remaining and declining vears, as well as
sufficient to give his children each a substantial start in life. He is a
worthy representative of that sturdy race of Germans who have done
so much for the material development, the prosperity and general
welfare of the country. He was born in Prussia, March 5, 1829, and
when 14 years of age accompanied his parents to the United States.
They settled in Warren county in 1844, where both parents resided
until their deaths. The father, John F. Schwarze, was a farmer by
occupation and Frederick, the subject of this sketch, was brought up
to that calling. He continued farming in Charrette township until
1859, wheu he removed to his present place. Meanwhile, in 1853,
Mr. Schwarze was married to Miss Justine, a daughter of Frederick
and Hedwig (Wilkennig) Schoomann, formerly of Germany. Eight
children are the fruit of this union, namely : Caroline, deceased wife
of F. W. Mallenbroch ; Herman, William, Henry, Anne, Matilde,
Fritz and Louis. Mr. Schwarze’ s homestead contains 200 acres and
is one of the best improved farms in this part of the county. His
dwelling, a handsome new two-story frame, alone cost over $3,000.
He also has about 500 acres in an adjoining tract, a large part of
which is well improved. His homestead was an original grant to
Kincaide, the pioneer Spaniard, and, in fact, one of the first white
men who ever trod the soil of what is now Warren county. He sold
his claim to John Wyatt, one of the pioneer Americans of the county
and an old Revolutionary soldier, from whose estate Mr. Schwarze
bought the land. John Wyatt is buried on the farm under an apple
tree which he himself brought from Kentucky in his saddle pockets
and set out, it now being an ancient, weather-beaten old tree, over four
feet in diameter, but still bearing. Wvatt and his wife and three
daughters were buried under this tree. He died in 1855 at the age of
96 ; his place of burial is not more than 40 feet from where the first
regular court of Warren county was held.

1054

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

HENRY SCHWEISSGUTH

(Farmer, Post-office, Dutzow).

Mi*. Schweissguth is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born
in Oberleiden, December 23, 1834. His parents were Johann and
Katharine Schweissguth, and he was reared in his native vicinity. He
early took a course in the Art School, Alsfeld, Germany, of which
he became a graduate. In 1857 he came to America and spent about
nine months in New York City, working at the stone-cutter’s trade,
which he had previously learned. After an absence from there of
about four months he returned by way of New Orleans and St. Louis.
He settled in Warren county in 1853, and on the 16th of February,
1859, was married here to Miss Louise Berg, a daughter of Gotlieb
Berg, formerly of Germany. Mr. Schweissguth worked at his trade
for awhile and then engaged in farming, which he has ever since con-
tinued. He owns a good farm of 160 acres where he resides, and is
an industrious, well-to-do farmer. His first wife died September 17,
1864, and he was subsequently married to Miss Wilhelmina Schneider,
of Franklin county. She died July 13, 1868, and afterwards he was
married to Miss Louise Schweissguth, a daughter of Henry and
Katharine Schweissguth, who came over from Germany in 18 — . Mr.
Schweissguth has one child by his first wife, Alliome ; one by his
second wife, Peter ; and two by his present wife, Otto and Rapzlie.
He is a man of industry and one of the worthy, well respected citi¬
zens of the township.

JOSEPH STAMM

(Retail Dealer in Wines, Beer, Cigars, Tobacco, Etc., North Washington).

Mr. Stamm is a native of Germany, born in Prussia, May 8, 1848,
and the fourth of five children of Peter and Christina (Bentfeld)
Stamm, of old families in Prussia. His father was a shoemaker by
trade and Joseph was brought up to that occupation. The father
died in 1878, but the mother is still living. Joseph Stamm came to
the United States in 1865 and located in Warren county. He worked
at his trade here two years and then went to St. Louis, where he
worked for William Fink at shoemaking until 1869. Returning to
Warren county, he set up a shop at North Washington for himself,
which he carried on for 12 years. In 1881 he engaged in his present
business. He carries an unusually good stock of wines, and the best
article of beer that the canvasser, who except for the regular seven
days of the week is a temperance man, ever unctuously imbibed. He
also has a good stock of cigars and several brands of chewing
tobacco, the very sight of which fairly sets one’s jaws to working in¬
voluntarily. In all candor, and jokes aside, Mr. Stamm keeps a
first-class house in his line, and the best articles of goods to be had.
In 1874 he was married to Miss Caroline Hi Hermann, a daughter of
Joseph Hillermann, formerly of Prussia. They have six children :

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1055

Anna, Joseph, John, Anton, Amelia and Rosie; one is deceased,
Frankie. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Catholic Church.

H. L. STAUDINGER, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Marthasville) .

Dr. Staudinger, a successful physician of the southern part of War¬
ren county and one of the highly respected and influential citizens of
the vicinity of Marthasville, is a son of Louis Staudinger, a native
of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. He came to America with his fam-
ily in 1857 and settled at Augusta, in St. Charles county, where he
resided for a number of years. He is now living a retired life and is
a resident of St. Louis. His wife who was a Miss Clementine Plitt
before her marriage, and is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, is also
still living. Dr. Staudinger was born near Giessen, in Hesse-Darm¬
stadt, May 12, 1841, and was therefore 16 years of age when the
family came to America. His youth in Germany had been spent exclu¬
sively (from his 6th year) at school and he had succeeded in acquir¬
ing a good academic education in the German, English, French and
Latin languages. In 1861, at the outbreak of the war, he enlisted
in the Union service. He was in the army for about two years. Of
three brothers who enlisted he was the only one to return, his brother,
Julius, having been killed at the battle of Pea Ridge, and his other
brother, William, having died in camp at Montgomery, Alabama. After
his return from the army Dr. Staudinger entered a drug store in St.
Louis as clerk, having previously studied natural philosophy in Ger¬
many. After clerking for a time in the drug business he began the
study of medicine under Dr. J. A. Ruge, of Holstein, Warren county,
and in due time he matriculated at the St. Louis Medical College where
he took one term of lectures. Subsequently, he took a regular and
thorough course of two terms at the Humboldt Medical College of
St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1867. Dr. Staudinger then
located at Marthasville where he has been actively engaged in the
practice of his profession ever since. He has built up a large prac¬
tice in this vicinity and has been very successful in his practice. In
1874, Dr. Staudinger was married to Miss Hilda Garling. Mrs.
Staudinger is a daughter of Dr. C. L. Garling of St. Charles county
and a grand-daughter of Paul Follenius, a well known and highly
respected citizen of this county. She was also a grand-niece of Hon.
Friedrich Muench, the noted minister and able writer of Warren
county, well known as a prominent State Senator from this district.
Doctor and Mrs. Staudinger have four children : Emma, Paul, Anna
and Walda.

FRANK TRAU

(Dealer in Hardware and Tinner, Holstein).

Mr. Trau is a native of what is now a part of Germany, Alsace,
but formerly a part of France; and although a Frenchman, there¬
fore, by birth, on both sides of his parental family he is of German

1056

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

ancestry. Both of his parents, however, Francois and Marie
(Waltz) Trau, were natives of Alsace. Frank Trau was born in
Alsace December 13, 1847, and remained on his father’s farm until
he was 14 years of age when he became an apprentice to the tinner’s
trade, which he worked at until he was enlisted as a volunteer in a
Vienna regiment of the Chasseurs Ditefrique and was on garrison
duty at Oran, Algeria, in 1866. He did service in Africa until De¬
cember, 1870, when he returned to France and served under Gen.
Bourlaky in the Franco-Prussian war. In 1872 he immigrated to the
United States and worked at his trade in St. Louis for about seven
vears when he came to Warren county and worked in Marthasville for
eighteen months. He then came to Holstein and engaged in business
on his own account. He carries a good stock of hardware at this
place amounting to about $1,500 and has an excellent trade. He also
carries on a tin shop in connection with his hardware store. In 1876
Mr. Trau was married to Miss Katie Bruckner, a daughter of George
Bruckner, of Wright City, but formerly of Germany. Mr. and Mrs.
Trau have three children, Francis, George and Eugenie.

JUDGE HIERONYMUS ULFFERS

(Farmer, Post-office, Marthasville').

Born in Varel, Germany, June 9, 1805, and an early settler in
Warren county, having come to this country as far back as 1834,
Judge Ulffers is one of the oldest residents of the county, both in
age and continuous residence, and he is at the same time recognized
as one of its best and most highly respected citizens. Farming has
been his constant occupation, and he has resided on the same place
near Marthasville for half a century. His life has been one of con¬
tinued industry, and he has ever been regarded as one of the most
energetic and exemplary farmers of Charrette township. In late
years he has retired from the harder duties of running his farm and
has a comfortable home at which to spend, in comparative ease, the
remaining years of his life. But he is still active and vigorous, and
has not entirely given up all labor and responsibility in carrying on
his farm. He has the promise still of years of usefulness and com¬
fort to his family and of valuable counsel and advice in the affairs of
the community and among his neighbors. In 1866 Judge Ulffers was
elected a member of the county court of Warren county, and he dis¬
charged the duties of that office and served, in all, for six years.
Judge Ulffers was married to Miss Annie H. Engel, on the 15th of
November, 1839. She was a daughter of Rev. Arnold E. Engel, a
prominent minister in Germany. The Judge and wife have reared
three children, John A., who is married and resides on the farm with
his father; Elise Wilhelmina, wife of Laurenous Wilson, of Mont¬
gomery county, and Sophie A., still at home with her parents. Judge
Ulffers was himself the youngest in a family of five children, he being
the only son of Johann and Anna (Duthsmann) Ulffers, of Varel,
Germany, where both parents lived until their deaths. His father

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1057

was a distiller and hotel keeper by occupation, and owned valuable
property at Yarel, including a fine distillery and a large hotel build¬
ing. The father died in 1843 and the mother in 1833.

JUDGE FREDERICK WEGENER, JR.

(Presiding Justice of the County Court and Farmer, Post-office, Holstein) .

Judge Wegener has been intimately identified with the political af¬
fairs of Warren county for many years, and has long been recognized
as one of the leading and influential citizens of the county. A man
of sterling character, marked intelligence and good business qualifica¬
tions, he has frequently been called to occupy positions of public
trust in the civil affairs of the county. Like a very large percentage
of the people of Warren county, he is of German nativity, born near
Gohfeld Minden, in Prussia, January 6, 1828. His father, Frederick
Wegener, is still living, now at the advanced age of 81, and is a re¬
tired farmer of Lafayette county, this State, having emigrated to this
country in 1842. His family followed three years later, meeting the
father in St. Louis, January 2, 1845. He lived fora number of years
in Warren county and then removed to Lafayette. Judge Wegener’s
mother was a Miss Marie Yiering before her marriage, who died in
Germany before the family left their native country. Judge Wegener,
the subject of this sketch, was reared near Gohfeld up to the age of
17, when he came to America and located in Warren county, where
he has ever since resided. In 1852 he was married in this county to
Miss Mary Timmerberg, a daughter of Job Timmerberg, formerly of
Germany. Judge Wegener early engaged in farming in this county,
and -has ever since made that occupation his regular calling. He has
a good farm in the vicinity of Holstein and is comfortably situated.
During the war he was unequivocally on the side of the Union, and
in 1862 enlisted in Co. F, Third Missouri cavalrv, under Col. Smart,
in which he served until the close of the war. He was promoted to
the rank of quartermaster-sergeant, in which he served throughout
his term. After the war Judge Wegener resumed farming, and was
appointed to the office of justice of the peace. From time to time
afterwards he was re-elected to this office, and he continued to hold it
most of the time up to his election to a seat on the county bench, in
1878. He is now presiding justice of the county court, having been
elected to this position in 1882. He has made a most acceptable and
efficient judge, and is warmly indorsed by the best citizens of the
county in both parties. Judge Wegener and wife have been blessed
with ten children, nine sons and a daughter, only four of whom are liv¬
ing : Mary, the wife of William Wetmeyer ; Charles, Henry and August.
He and wife are members of the Holstein Evangelical Church.

FRANK WYATT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Marthasville) .

The Wyatt family, originally from North Carolina, was one of the
pioneer family of Clark county, Ky., and afterwards early settlers of

1058

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

St. Charles and Warren counties. Mo. Mr. Wyatt’s father, Anthony
Wyatt, was a native of Clark county, Ky., born in 1794, and a son of
Frank Wyatt, Sr., an old Revolutionary soldier, and who came out to
Missouri prospecting several times, about the beginning of the pres¬
ent century. He made each trip to this State on horseback, and en¬
tered numerous tracts of valuable land. Anthony Wyatt, his son,
learned the carpenter’s trade as he grew up, at which he worked in
St. Charles and Warren counties for a number of years. He finally
became a large farmer of Warren county, and one of its prominent
citizens. He held different public offices, including that of sheriff and
collector of the county. He died at his homestead in this county in
1871 at the age of 77, widely and profoundly mourned. His wife,
whose maiden name was Mary Smith, born in Kentucky in 1798,
died in this county in 1881. Frank Wyatt, the subject of this sketch,
was born in Warren county, Mo., September 17, 1819, and is now the
only one of his parents’ family of six children living, the others of
whom died after they, themselves, became the heads of families. In
1849 Mr. Wyatt, the subject of this sketch, went to California, driving
an ox-team to the far off land of ^old. He was nearly six months on
the way. He returned to Missouri, however, the following year,
making the return trip by way of Panama and New Orleans. He re¬
sumed farming here, which he has ever since followed, and in 1854 he
was married to Miss Eliza A., a daughter of Dr. John Jones, one of
the leading physicians of Warren county and who was assassinated
in 1842 in his own dooryard. Mr. Wyatt’s first wife died in 1855,
leaving him one child, Frankie, now the wife of Valentine Burgess.
To his present wife, whose maiden name was Maria Fausdahl, a young
lady of German nativity, he was married in 1863. They have had
six children: James F., Henry S., John A. Charles A., who died a
few months ago in his fifteenth year ; Joshua and Thomas N. Mr.
Wyatt has a fine farm of nearly 300 acres, and he is one of the suc¬
cessful, prominent farmers of Charrette township.

CHAPTER X.

HISTORY OF PINCKNEY AND BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIPS.

Organization of Pinckney Township — Early Settlers — Biographical — Bridgeport
Township — Physical Features — Boundary — Streams — First Settlers — Bio¬
graphical.

ORGANIZATION.

Pinckney township was created by order of the county court at its
first session, held in 1833, following the organization of Warren
county. At Pinckney Landing was established the first seat of justice
for Montgomery county, where, in a log house built for the purpose,
the public business was transacted from 1818 to 1824, at which time
the county seat was removed to Lewiston. The site of old Pinckney
has long since been washed into the Missouri river, and what remains
of the former town is now called Kruegerville, the post-office of Pinck¬
ney being located on Smith creek, about four miles from the river.
The bottom lands adjacent to old Pinckney are very rich and valua¬
ble, although sometimes subject to the disastrous effects of high
water. There are no villages of consequence, although considerable
trading is done at stores scattered through the township, notably at
Pinckney post-office, and at Rekate’s store on the Holstein road, about
a half mile east of Smith creek.

EARLY SETTLERS.

Among the early settlers of Pinckney township was William
Clyce, a Virginian. One of his daughters married a Canadian, named
Swazey, who opened the first store in Pinckney. Frederick Griswold,
a brother of Harvey Griswold, of whom mention has already been
made, came from the State of Connecticut, and was for years engaged in
merchandising at Pinckney Landing. Nathaniel Hart, a grandson of
John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence,
settled near Pinckney in 1820. Mr. Hart died in Boone county du¬
ring 1883, aged 87 years. John Tice, who was the first settler of
Pinckney Bottom, located there in 1809. He was a brother of Prof.
Tice, of St. Louis, somewhat famous as a weather prognosticator.

(1059)

1060

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

SOLOMON C. COOK, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Kruegerville).

Dr. Cook is of English parentage, though he himself was born and
reared in this county. The family came to America in about 1848,
and resided for some six or eight years’ in Pennsylvania. They then
removed to Ohio and then, after a few years residence, to Iowa, where
the father is a substantial farmer. Dr. Cook was the fourth in his
parents’ family of seven children, and was born in Ohio, May 23,
1854. He was given a good common school education as he grew up and
finally became a school teacher himself. He taught school for about
four vears, most of the time in Kansas, only, however, as a means of

t/ *

prosecuting his medical studies, for he had already decided to devote
himself to the profession of medicine He read medicine under Dr.
D. C. Baldwin, of Cedarvale, Kan., and in 1878-79 took his first
course of lectures, attending the American Medical College of St.
Louis. He then began the practice of medicine in Ellsworth county,
Kan., where he continued until 1881, when he removed to Wright
City, in Warren county, Mo. Dr. Cook came to Kruegerville in the
fall of 1882, and has ever since been actively engaged in the practice
of his profession at this place, except while taking his second course
of lectures during the term of 1883-84. He then attended the St. Louis
College of Physicians and Surgeons. August 18, 1880, Dr. Cook was
married to Miss Lizzie Darnell, a daughter of Jesse and Susan Dar¬
nell, of Wentzville. The Doctor and Mrs. Cook have two children,
Nadie and Jessie. Mrs. Cook is a member of the M. E. Church
South. Dr. Cook has a good practice in the vicinity of Kruegerville,
and is recognized in his profession as a physician of marked ability.
He has been a close student of medical science ever since he decided
to devote himself to the profession, and has, as would be expected,
reached a degree of proficiency and success by no means common to
physicians of his age and experience.

ROBERT E. DARNELL, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Kruegerville).

Dr. Darnell, after concluding a course at high school in St. Charles,

7 O tj 7

first entered a drus: store as a clerk, and while there read medicine
under his brother, Dr. John C. Darnell ; he then, in 1879, matricu¬
lated at the American Medical College of St. Louis and took a regular
course, graduating in 1882. Meanwhile, however, he had been en¬
gaged in the practice of medicine in Rice county, Kan., for a short
time. After his graduation Dr. Darnell located at Loutre Island,

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1061

where he practiced with success for about two years. In the fall of
1883 he removed, however, to Kruegerville, where he has ever since
been actively engaged in the practice. Dr. Darnell is quite popular
in this vicinity, both as a physician and neighbor, und has had grati¬
fying success in the practice here. In 1879 he was married to Miss
Rebecca Gausley, a daughter of George and Martha (Shelton) Gaus-
ley, of Montgomery county, but formerly of Virginia. The Doctor
and Mrs. Darnell have three children : Pearl S., Hallie D. and Robert
E. Dr. Darnell is a native Missourian, born in Wentzville, St. Charles
county, April 10, 1855. He was the fifth in the family of 10 children
of Jesse and Susan T. Darnell, formerly of Virginia. His father was
a merchant by occupation and died at Augusta, in St. Charles county,
November 18, 1870. The mother is still living and is now a resident
of Wentzville.

AUGUST H. C. JAEGER

(Postmaster and Dealer in General Merchandise, Kruegerville).

Mr. Jaeger engaged in his present business in the summer of 1883
and has met with substantial encouragement from the people of the
community. He opened out a neat stock of general merchandise and
has been rewarded with a fair trade. His business is steadily on
the increase and he is gradually increasing his stock of goods to
meet the demands of his custom. Like a large percentage of the
people of Warren county, he is of German parentage ; his father and
mother were, respectively, Christopher and Wilhelmina Jaeger, who
settled in Warren county, from Germany, in about 1854. His
father was an energetic and worthy member of the Evangelist
Church; he died on his farm in this county early in the present
year. The mother is still living, residing on the farm, and is now
in her sixty-eighth year. Six of their family of children are living,
three of whom are married — two daughters and a son. August
was born in this county, January 16, 1861. He received a common-
school education as he grew up, principally at Warrenton. His first
regular employment was as a clerk in a store at Morrison, Gasconade
county, where he remained about a year ; he then engaged in teaching
school and taught school continuously for some three years. In April,
1883, he was married to Miss Christina, a daughter of Henry and
Christina Busse, also formerly of Germany, but later of the vicinity
of Chamois, Osage county. After his marriage Mr. Jaeger raised a
crop the succeeding summer and then engaged in business at Krue¬
gerville. Mr. and Mrs. J. have one child, Laura.

BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP.

Bridgeport township possesses the rugged features so general
throughout the county, and with the exception of a small strip of

1062

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

bottom land in the vicinity of Loutre slough, is hilly and heavily
timbered.

BOUNDARY.

The township is bounded on the north by Montgomery county, on
the east by Elkhorn and Pinckney townships, on the south by the
Missouri river, and on the west by Montgomery county.

Bridgeport Landing, located at the mouth of Loutre slough, was at
one time quite an important and well known place, though of recent
years the town has lost prestige and now comprises but a few
houses.

Bridgeport post-office is located on the farm of Joseph Haberthier,
15 miles from Warrenton, and about two miles from the Missouri
river. There is no village there.

The principal streams are Massas and Bear creeks, both of which
flow through the entire township, while Lost creek empties into the
Missouri in the south-eastern corner of the town.

Loutre slough cuts off a portion of the township, known as Loutre
Island, and this section possesses considerable historical interest as
the vicinity where Capt. Callaway’s rangers were ambushed during
the Indian war, the particulars of which are given elsewhere in
this work.

PIONEERS.

Among the pioneer residents of Bridgeport was Cornelius Howard,
a Kentuckian, who settled in the county in 1816. He cleared a field,
and raised two crops of corn, but now the field is covered with large
oak trees and the Brush Creek Presbyterian Church stands about the
center of it.

James Pitzer, the first surveyor of Warren countf , settled east of
the mouth of Loutre creek, and became one of the prominent men of
the times. Irvin Pittman lived on Massas creek in the very early
days, and William and Christopher Talbot came into the vicinity soon
after the War of 1812. The Pittmans at one time owned the greater
part of Loutre Island. Gen. Daniel Clark, father of the renowned
Myra Clark Gaines, the famous New Orleans litigant, came to the
vicinity of Bridgeport Landing about 1821 and bought a large tract
of land there.

Gen. Clark was a noted man in his day, and his distinguished
daughter yet has interests in Warren county secured to her by reason
of her indomitable pluck in contending for what rightfully belonged
to her.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1063

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOSEPH HABERTHIER

(.Farmer, Stock-raiser and Postmaster, Bridgeport) .

Mr. Haberthier, though still rather a young man, has shown marked
activity in the affairs of life, and with the energy and enterprise con¬
tinued which he has exhibited thus far, he can hardlv fail of attaining
to enviable prominence as a citizen and agriculturist. He was born in
Richmond, Ind., February 6, 1854, and was brought to Warren county
by his parents while he was yet in infancy, they having settled in this
county soon after his birth. He was reared to the occupation of a
farmer in this county, which his father followed, and he remained
with his father on the old homestead until his marriage. On the 11th
of October, 1881, he was married to Miss Emilie, a daughter of Ed¬
ward and Frederica Kiderlen, formerly of Germany. After his mar¬
riage Mr. Haberthier settled on the farm where he now resides. He
owns a neat place here, and is making something of a business of
handling stock. He is also breeding Norman horses, of which he has
a fine representative, purchased at a cost of $300. In 1880 Mr.
Haberthier was elected constable of Bridgeport township, the term ex¬
piring in 1882. He Avas appointed postmaster November 23, 1884,
and he also still holds this office, keeping the office at his residence.
Mr. and Mrs. Haberthier have one child, Beulah. He is a member of
the Catholic Church, but his wife is a member of the Evangelical
denomination. Mr. Haberthier is the oldest one living of the seven
children of Elias and Katharine Haberthier, three others having passed
over the silent river, on whose opposite shore no echo is ever heard.

F. X. LUPPOLD

(Manufacturer of and Dealer in Boots and Shoes, Post-office, Bud).

When 13 years of age Mr. Luppold became apprenticed to the shoe¬
maker’s trade, which he learned and which has ever since been his
regular occupation, united in late years with dealing in boots and
shoes. Matthew Gerster, the master workman under whom he
learned, he worked for continuously for 17 years, which fact speaks
not a little for the honesty and fidelity of the employe, Mr. Luppold,
no less than the fair dealing and kind treatment received from Mr.
Gerster. In 1878 Mr. Luppold opened a shop of his own, and has
since been working for himself. In a short time he opened a stock of
boots and shoes at Bud, which he has increased from time to time as
the steady increase of his custom would justify, until now he has a
large stock and is doing an excellent trade. He also still carries on
his shop in order to do custom work for many of his old patrons. Mr.
Luppold is a native of Germany, born in Wurtemberg December 31,

1064

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1848. He was the eldest of a family of four children of Robert and
Margaret Luppold, and was reared in Wurtemberg. Up to the age of
13 his time was principally spent at school ; but he then began to learn
the shoemaker’s trade, at which he afterwards continued to work.
Upon coming to America he subsequently located at Bud, his present
place of residence.

WILLIAM LUPPOLD

(Merchant, Bud).

Mr. Luppold is a native of Warren county, born on Massas creek,
April 23, 1859, and is a son of Matthais and Elizabeth (Held) Lup¬
pold, formerly of Germany. His father, a blacksmith by trade,
came over in about 1854. In 1857 he was married to Miss Elizabeth
Held, a daughter of John and Mary ( Schwartzwelder) Held, from
Wurtemburg, Germany. Two years afterwards he (Matthais Luppold)
settled near Frank’s Branch about one-quarter mile north of Kosse’s
store, where he was engaged in the blacksmith business until 1868,
when he sold out and settled at Luppold’ s Landing, on the Missouri
river, in Warren county, now known as Bud. Here he subsequently
engaged in merchandising, which he has since followed. William
Luppold, the eldest of his father’s family of children, was reared in
Warren county and in youth learned the blacksmith’s trade. Later
along he became a clerk in his father’s store and for several vears
past has been manager of the store. In 1880 he was appointed post¬
master at Bud, and is now discharging tbe duties of that office, be¬
sides attending to the business of the store. The store is well stocked
with general merchandise, and has a large trade. Mr. Luppold is an
energetic, enterprising business man, and is personally quite popular
with all who know him. His father is one of the substantial citizens
of this part of the county. Besides William, there are three others
of the family of children living, namely: Emily, George and Her¬
man. Another, George, died in boyhood; and three others died in
infancy. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

CHAPTER XI.

HISTORY OF ELKHORN TOWNSHIP.

Establishment — Boundary — Physical Features — Early Settlers — Warrenton — Loca¬
tion of County Seat — Situation — Coal — Central Wesleyan College — Orphan

Asylum — Removal of the Depot — Miscellaneous — Truesdale — Pendleton.

Elkhorn township was established by metes and bounds during the
first session of the county court in August, 1833, at which time its
boundaries included what is now Hickory Grove township.

BOUNDARY.

It is bounded on the north by Camp Branch township, the southern
corner of Montgomery and the south-western corner of Lincoln
counties, on the east by Hickory Grove township, on the south by
Pinckney and Charrette townships, and on the west by Bridgeport
township. Hickory Grove township was set off from Elkhorn in
1839.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

The greater part of the township is heavily timbered, although
there is considerable prairie land in both the north-eastern and north¬
western sections. Big Creek and its branches, and the Dry fork of
Charrette, supply abundance of water, except in a time of protracted
drought. The sub strata of the soil is of a peculiar character, i.t being
only necessary to dig a well and wall it up with stone without cement
to secure plenty of water. This is the customary manner of building
wells and cisterns in the county.

About six miles north-east of Warrenton coal has been discovered,
on Big creek. The mine is called “ Hine’s mine,” and considerable
quantities of coal have been taken out in years passed. The vein is
about 23 feet thick, six feet being left in the bottom of the cut, on
account of trouble in draining, ten feet worked out and seven feet
left overhead to support the clay and gravel above, some of which has
caved in. The coal is very much disturbed, pitching at all angles, and
in every direction. According to an analysis made by Mr. Chauvenet,
this coal contains 7.44 per cent of sulphur and iron, and 45.75 per cent
of fixed carbon, the remainder being ash, volatile matter and water.

(1065)

1066

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The old Boone’s Lick road runs east and west through the town¬
ship, and, in the early days, being the only public road, was exten¬
sively used by travelers, which fact brought into the country a large
number of enterprising pioneers, who settled in the territory along
that highway. As in every new section, the early history of these
people is full of interest. The details of their privations and troubles
is a part of the county history referred to elsewhere, and the fact that
many of the best known public men of Warren county first made their
homes in Elkhorn, is sufficient to prove their reputation for enter¬
prise and foresight. Among the settlers who cast their fortunes here
in those days may be casually mentioned, Mordecai Morgan, a native
of Shelby county, Kj., who settled in Warren county in 1814, on the
present town site of Warrenton ; and Newton Howell, who lived about
three and a half miles north-east of Warrenton In this immediate
vicinity also lived John Woodlan, Jonathan D. Gordon, afterwards
sheriff of the countv ; Turner Roundtree and John Preston.

The very early settlers of Elkhorn township also included Vincent
Fines, who came to the county in 1817 ; Isaac Kent, who came from
Kentucky in 1819 ; Lawrence Long settled here in 1821 ; Lemuel
Price, of North Carolina, who settled on the Boone’s Lick road in
1815 ; J. A. Pulliam, who was a public-spirited citizen and at one
time treasurer of the county; Thomas Buxton, Wm. Moore, Benoni
McClure, who was the second sheriff of the county, and also repre¬
sented Warren countv in the State Legislature.

WARRENTON.

In 1833, when Warren county was organized, the question of the
location of a permanent seat of justice became at once a matter of
intense public interest. Property owners throughout the entire
county began the usual mode of procedure to secure the coveted
prize. As is usually the case under like circumstances, feeling ran
very high, and it eventually became necessary to take definite steps
to make a selection, in order to put a stop to the agitation which was
daily growing more bitter. At the next session of the Legislature a
board of commissioners was selected to locate a countv seat. The

•j

task was no light one, in view of the factional excitement attending
the selection. At length the commissioners reported in favor of New
Boston, a small hamlet near the present site of Hopewell, but their
decision was not unanimous, and again the people were distracted by

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1067

the acrimony aroused by their failure to agree. However, the judges
of the county court had ordered that the county seat be removed to
the house of John Wyatt, near New Boston, but the clerk of the court
refused to remove his records from the house of Mordecai Morgan, in
Warrenton, where the court had up to this time held its sessions. Dr.
John Jones, who resided on the Charrette, thereupon came into court
and demanded that Carty Wells, the clerk, be called upon to show
cause why he should not be compelled to remove the records to New
Boston. The Doctor was not successful in his efforts to get the
records removed, and shortly afterwards the Legislature appointed
another set of commissioners, who proceeded to again hunt up a suit¬
able location. The matter remained unsettled for two vears, until on
June 11, 1835, Commissioners James Finley, Benjamin Emmons and
John Smith, to whom had descended the thankless duty of making
the final selection, reported that they had accepted the donation of
Henry Walton, of St. Louis, and Mordecai Morgan, of Warren
county, who proposed to deed to the county a plat of land in town¬
ship 47, range 2 west, in sections 28 and 29, which is the present
court house site. At the May term of the county court, in 1837, it
was ordered that proposals be received for the erection of a court
bouse, and in February, 1838, the proposition of Solomon Jenkins
was accepted, $2,600 being appropriated for the purpose. Mr.
Jenkins was appointed superintendent of construction, and the exca¬
vation for the building at once began. Pending the completion of
the first court house, the sessions were held at the house of Joseph B.
Wells, part of which building is now the rear portion of Middelkamp’s
hardware store in Warrenton.

Among the prominent persons who took part in this interesting
struggle were Dr. John Jones, John McKinney, John Wyatt, Sr.,
John King, Jesse Cain, Harvey and Frederick Griswold, James Bland,
John L. Wyatt, Douglas 'Wyatt, Dr. Andrew Fourt, William James
and David Howard, all of whom resided in and about the Charrette
valley and fought nobly in the interests of New Boston. Those who
favored Warrenton and finally won the long-contested struggle were
Norman Pringle, Abram James, Pleasant and Royal J. Kennedy,
Moses and Lewis Edwards, Nimrod Darnell, Dr. H. C. Wright,
Parker Dudley, Richard Wright, Rodger Taylor, James Graves, Grief
Stewart, Edward Pleasant, John Pleasant, John Preston, Turner
Roundtree, James Pendleton, Benjamin Hutchinson, Thos. Chambers,
Newton Howell, Thos. Bowen, Benoni McClure, Jonathan D. Gordon,
John Welch, Y. R. Pringle and William Logan. The matter was

1068

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

submitted to a vote of the people on January 15 and 16, 1836, and
Warrenton (thanks to the efforts of those who had worked so hard
and faithfully in her interests) won by a handsome majority.

Having secured the permanent seat of justice, the town at once en¬
tered upon a career of prosperity. Its growth was marked by the
advent of a class of business and professional men, whose well directed
energy soon brought the new county seat into prominence. It soon
became evident that the selection of Warrenton as the county town
was a wise one, as the natural and geographical advantages of the vil¬
lage made it easy of access, being near the center of the county, and
therefore readily reached from ail points.

The first store opened in Warrenton was that of Ford & Munson.
Mr. Harvey Ford, of this firm, was the commissioner who disposed of
the town lots authorized by the Legislature to be sold for the purpose
of building the first court house, and he also located and platted the
village.

The following is a list of those who purchased town lots at this sale : —
James G. Smith, Thos. Buxton, Caleb Williams, R. C. Hendricks,
W. P. Anderson, Jas. B. Graves, Hiram Camp, Solomon Jenkins,
Sandy Pratt, Henry McKinney, P. S. Roundtree, Miranda Morgan,
Thomas Keely, Wm. F. McClinney, Alexander Skinner, John Over-
street, Harvey Ford, Newton Howell, Carty and Jos. B. Wells, Mary
Munson, Eli Carter, Andrew McConnell, Turner Roundtree, Grief
Stewart, Benjamin Brown, Hedgman Anderson, Andrew J. Long,
Abiha A. Williams, Thomas Archer, Wm. B. Price, John Preston,
Thomas Kent, Lawrence Long, Horace Buxton, John Woodlan, Vin¬
cent Taylor.

John M. Faulconer, father of John H. Faulconer, afterwards treas¬
urer of the county, and mayor of Warrenton, was the first school
teacher. Church services were held in the court house until about
1854, when an effort was made to erect a Union Church, for the ac¬
commodation of the various denominations. This movement was not
successful, however. In 1855 the Methodists erected a wooden
church, which is still standing, and was called “Marvin Chapel,”
after the famous bishop of that name, who was a native of Warren
county. The same year a Baptist Church was built.

The post-office was at the grocery store of Caleb Williams, who
was a very early settler, and for many years filled the office of justice
of the peace. The office was in a log cabin which stood at the foot
of the hill about a quarter of a mile north of the present court house.

The first mill erected was a combined steam grist and saw mill,

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1069

built by an association comprising the leading men of the vicinity. R.
J. Huston, Warren B. Stewart, Grief Stewart, William Harper, Estlan
Woodlan, and others, originally controlled the property, which, after
a few years, passed into the hands of Warren B. Stewart as sole proprie¬
tor. Mr. Stewart at that time, and for many years subsequent, was rec¬
ognized as a man of influence in the community, and as the most energetic
and enterprising business man of the county. He managed the mill,
kept a large general store, and was the proprietor of a tobacco factory,
the first one built in Warrenton. The manufacture of tobacco was,
until just previous to the Civil War, the chief industry of the town.
Several factories were built, and at one time about 300 men were
employed in the various establishments. Among those who erected
and successfully managed these factories in Warrenton, were Grief
Stewart, William Harper, W. B. Stewart, Lewis Kennedy, James
Howell, and Charles Hill.

Warrenton does not take rank with the larger cities of the State,
yet occupies an enviable position among Missouri’s county seats.
The location of the town is excellent, It is built, principally, upon
high ground, in the midst of picturesque surroundings. Its people
have always enjoyed the reputation of a hospitable, energetic and
enterprising community. Her early history is full of the incon-
veniencies of frontier life, and it was not until the North Missouri
Railroad reached the town that it enjoyed a very wide acquaintance
with the outside world. Previous to that time it was necessary to
haul everything by wagon to St. Charles or Marthasville, for ship¬
ment up or down the Missouri river. On the 4th of July, 1857,
the first train arrived at Truesdale, which was for a time the ter¬
minus of the road. The day was indeed a memorable one for
Warren county, whose people turned out in great numbers to cel¬
ebrate the event.

COAL EXCITEMENT.

Soon after the county was organized, the existence of coal was
surmised. Shortly after the North Missouri Railroad reached War¬
renton, a vein of good coal was discovered on Big creek, but the
location was inaccessible except for teams. Considerable agitation
followed this discovery, but it was not until 1868 that any con¬
certed effort was made to develop what was considered might be¬
come the leading industry of the county. In 1868 a company was
formed in Warrenton for the purpose of prospecting for the im¬
mense coal beds which were thought to underlie the vicinity.

1070

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

The directors of the association were Rudolph Ritter, Judge
Henry Parker, L. J. Dryden, W. C. Christy, of St. Louis, and
John C. Orrick. Arrangements were made with farmers living along
the track of the railway, by which the company secured the right
to bore for coal, the understanding being that if the coal was dis¬
covered, and shafts sunk, the owners of the property were to be
paid one cent a bushel for all coal taken out.

After several holes had been sunk in Warren and Lincoln
counties, without success, the organization disbanded.

CENTRAL WESLEYAN COLLEGE.

[Contributed.]

The Central Wesleyan College is located at Warrenton, a pleasant
and healthy part of the State, on the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific
Railway, 60 miles from St. Louis. It is under the control of a board
of trustees, appointed by the St. Louis and Western German Con¬
ferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The school is open to
both sexes, and during last year had an attendance of 245 students.

The college is a growth. It owes its birth to the necessities of the
church in supplying ministers for the German work. There was at
that time, 30 years ago, no school where young men, wishing to enter
the university of the M. E. Church, could receive special training for
the German work. To supply this want a plan was proposed to have
Dr. William Nast, the father of German Methodism, appointed to a
professorship in Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind., to whom this
special work should be assigned. But Dr. Nast preferred to continue
his editorial labors, and this plan was abandoned. The needs of the
church were pressing, however, and the then South-Western German
Conference decided to start a school in connection with the seminary
of the church, at Quincy, III.

Rev. H. A. Koch, D. D., was, in 1855, appointed agent to secure
the financial requisites for the undertaking, and Rev. John Walther,
pastor in charge of the church at Quincy, was appointed to take
charge of the school. After teaching one year he was succeeded by
Prof. J. M. Eni, who taught one year. In the year 1857, the agent,
Rev. H. A. Koch, was placed in charge of the German department of
the English-German Seminary, as it was then called. The name was
afterwards changed to Quincy College, and the school had an average
attendance of about 25 students in the German Department, all of
whom were preparing for the German ministry, and many of whom
have since become eminent in their calling.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1071

About the year 1863 Quincy College went down under a sea of
financial troubles, but the German Department was continued with Dr.
Koch as sole teacher until the summer of 1864. The German M. E.
Church at this time recognized the need of an asylum for the orphans
of fallen soldiers, and it was proposed to purchase the estate of Mr.
William Truesdail, near Warrenton, and to establish here both the
school and an orphan asylum. A convention of the church was called
to meet at Quincy, Ill. The removal of the school was strenuously
opposed by some, but the influence of Rev. Phillip Kuhl, Rev. Henry
Pfaff and Dr. Koch prevailed ; the Truesdale farm was purchased,
and both school and orphan asylum were located here at Warrenton,
Mo.

Rev. George Boeshenz was appointed superintendent of the orphan
asylum and farm, and the school was opened in the fall of 1864, with
Dr. Koch as principal. A charter was obtained from the General
Assembly of the State in February, 1865, incorporating the asylum
and school under the name and title of the

WESTERN ORPHAN ASYLUM AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

The objects, as set forth in the charter, are : “ 1st, To found and

support a home for orphan children, especially the orphans of

deceased soldiers ; * * * to take care of them bodilv and

mentally ; to clothe, feed, instruct and educate them. * * * 2nd,

To provide for the instruction and education of the youths of our
country, preparing them for the different positions and situations in
life, 'and enabling them to become useful and honorable members of
society.”

The charter further states : “In the reception of orphans no regard
shall be had to the religious denominations of parents and children,
neither shall the reception of scholars depend upon their religious
profession, but the school shall be open to all students possessing a
good moral character.” Thus were both school and asylum estab¬
lished upon this broad basis ot Christian philanthropy, and they have
had a generous growth during a 20 years’ administration in accord¬
ance with those principles. Rev. Phillip Kuhl was the first president
of the corporation, and Rev. G. Boeshenz, secretary. Dr. Koch, who
was connected with the school from its incipiency, now received the
aid of three assistant teachers. On the 3d of October, 1864, the
school opened with the following courses of study : Primary, classical,
scientific, commercial and normal. During the first school year there
was an attendance of about 190 pupils, including orphans. At one

1072

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

time during the year a troop of United States soldiers made a descent
upon the community. When informed by Prof. Van Duzer that this
was not a “ big nigger plantation,” but an orphan asylum, he was un¬
ceremoniously cuffed and ordered to get them something to eat, as
they were hungry and likewise orphans. Curious to relate, a few
days ago after a lapse of 20 years, Rev. C. F. Schlinger, superintend¬
ent of the orphan asylum, received an answer to a claim against the
government, filed by Papa Kuhl, on account of losses caused by
United States soldiers at that time. The answer stated that an agent
of the government would be here in August in order to examine Phillip
Kuhl and George Boeshenz in regard to the losses. A few times
the students were required to do military duty in guarding the town.

In March, 1870, the charter was amended by the General Assembly
of the State, and the name changed to

“ CENTRAL WESLEYAN COLLEGE AND ORPHAN ASYLUM.”

The course of study had also been extended, and in June, 1870, the
first class graduated in the classical course, consisting of Wm. Balcke,
Davenport, la., and John H. Frick, Liberty, Mo. In September,
1872, President Kuhl resigned, and Rev. H. A. Koch, D.D., was
chosen president. Besides his school duties the president was now
also superintendent of the orphan asylum, and continued in charge of
the same until relieved by the appointment of Rev. Chas. Heidel, in
1878, as superintendent of the orphan asylum.

The school has been self-sustaining from the besfinninsj, and the iu-
creased number of students soon demanded more ample accommoda¬
tions. Strong efforts were made by some members of the South¬
western German Conference to have the college removed from
Warrenton. The first subscriptions taken by Papa Kuhl for the erec¬
tion of a new building were rejected by a committee of the Confer¬
ence in March, 1872 ; the offers from Quincy, Ill., and Mt. Pleasant,
la., were likewise not accepted, and the whole matter was laid over
until the meeting of the Conference in the autumn. Meanwhile new
subscriptions were taken in Warren county by Papa Kuhl and Rev. J.
P. Wilhelmi. The conditions of the first subscriptions called for the
erection of a $40,000 building, and this was the principal ground of
rejection. The conditions of the second subscriptions called for the
erection of a brick building about 60x90 feet, three stories high. The
sum of $10,500 in subscriptions was secured before the meeting of the
Conference at Quincy, III., September, 1872. These subscriptions were
accepted, and the trustees authorized to proceed with the erection of

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1073

the building as soon as they could do so, without incurring debt. In
case any debts were made the trustees were to be held personally re¬
sponsible for the same. The new enterprise was pushed ahead and
subscriptions taken outside of Warren county by Dr. Koch, the pres¬
ident. When the Conference met at St. Louis, September, 1873,
Rev. M. Boeder was appointed financial agent of the college. His
efforts proved very successful. The new building was erected at a
cost of $20,000. It was dedicated November 14, 1875. The build¬
ing is of brick, 90x55 feet, and three stories high.

KESSLER-PROFESSORSHIP OF GERMAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE.

In the same year Louis Kessler, Esq., of Ballwin, St. Louis county,
Mo., donated $10,000 to endow a professorship of German language
and literature, provided the Conference would raise the further sum
of $15,000 for endowment purposes.

Rev. M. Roeder continued his labors as financial agent, collecting
the money subscribed for erecting the college building, and besides
secured $13,000 for the endowment of a theological department,
$6,000 of which were donated in cash by W. Schrader, Esq., of St.
Louis. In September, 1877, he was succeeded by Rev. Chas. Heidei,
who continued the labors so successfully begun, and secured more
than the balance of the $15,000 required for the theological endow¬
ment fund. The chair thus established was called the

SCHRADER-PROFESSORSHIP OF THEOLOGY.

In 1878 the college boarding department was separated from the
orphan asylum, and Rev. C. Heidei was appointed superintendent of
the orphan asylum and farm. In 1879 Prof. J. L. Kessler, A. M.,
was appointed professor of German language and literature, and in
1881, having been elected to the chair of theology, he was succeeded
by Rev. J. M. Rinkel, A. M. For some years the attendance had
been increasing and the affairs of the college had been growing more
prosperous, and yet the college had to meet and overcome a great
calamity. At about midnight on May 8, 1882, one of those dreadful
foes of humanity, a tornado, swooped down upon the town and al¬
most laid the college building in ruins. The roof of the main college
building was carried away and the whole east wall torn down. Prof.
Sauer and family and four students were in the building at the time,
but escaped unhurt. The roof was also partly taken off the “ red
building,” and chimneys of the orphan asylum and other buildings
were blown down; the fences were swept away, and the beautiful

1074

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

grove and campus presented a sad sight of devastation. Two hours
after the calamity had happened the faculty met for consultation.
They at once decided that school must go on , and with brave hearts set
to work to devise plans for carrying on the work. Rev. C. F.
Schlinger, orphan superintendent, was called in, and kindly placed
some of his rooms at their disposal. So well were the arrangements
made that the recitations were continued next day and not a student
left on account of the calamity . In a few days the board of trustees
were called together, and, having viewed the ruins, they resolved to
rebuild and repair all damages at once. The professors and the pas¬
tor, Rev. Wm. Schuetz, were appointed agents to travel throughout
the bounds of the patronizing conferences, collect money and secure
new students. The tornado was a blessing in disguise. It aroused
the sympathies of the people, and so nobly did they respond that the
$6,000 necessary to repair damages were soon secured, and the new
school year opened in September following with the damages all re¬
paired and with happy auguries for the future.

The endowment fund had now increased, through the liberality of
Mrs. Mary Wehner, John Niebuhr, the Niedringhaus Bros, and other
friends, to something over $33,000. The good financial condition of
the college was in a great degree secured bv the wise and able man-
agement of Dr. Koch. A considerable fund was accumulated by an
economical administration of the boarding department, under the con¬
trol of Dr. and Mrs. Koch. In the year 1881 they resigned control
of the department, after which Mrs. Sippel served two years, and in

1883 Prof. J. N. Rinkel took charge of the same.

SEPARATION.

Steps were taken in 1883 to effect a complete separation of college
and orphan asylum, and were carried into effect at the spring term
of the circuit court, 1884. The Central Wesleyan College and Cen¬
tral Wesleyan Orphan Asylum were each incorporated under separate
charters, and now have two separate boards of trustees, appointed by
the St. Louis and the Western German Conferences of the M. E. Church.
These two conferences were formed by dividing the South-west Ger¬
man Conference. The college now stands upon a new and independent
existence with prosperity in all its departments. Increased accom¬
modations are demanded by the large number of students, and the
trustees authorized the building of a new ladies’ hall, with dining¬
room, the latter large enough for seating 125 guests. The contract
for building the same has been let (July, 1884), and it will cost $11,-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1075

000. The St. Louis and Belleville districts have passed resolutions
requesting the conference to authorize the building of a new chapel,
large enough to accommodate students and members of the society at
Warrentou in their meetings for religious worship. This will require
an $8,000 or a $10,000 building.

A committee has been at work planning a building for library and
museum purposes, and the erection of the same will be undertaken at
no distant day. The department of music, under Prof. W. A. Sauer,
is fast making a conservatory of music a pressing necessity. At the
commencement of 1884 there were six classical graduates, six in the
scientific, one in the normal, two in the theological, and two in the
musical course, besides about 20 in the commercial course. Some
excellent work in crayon was done in the art department. The library
now contains about 3,000 volumes, to which annual additions will be
made. Prof. Henry Vosholl is librarian. The reading room contains
some of the best daily and weekly newspapers, together with the best
monthlies in both the German and English languages. There are four
literary societies. The Goetheman Society, Germania Verein, Clio-
nian Society, and Garfield Society, all in a flourishing condition. The
third named is a society of young ladies, the other three of gentle-
mem The first two have halls nicely fitted up and furnished with
musical instruments. The Union Temperance Association is also a
college society, and is doing much for that great cause.

MUSEUM APPARATUS AND COLLECTIONS.

The school is supplied with the necessary apparatus to illustrate and
explain the subjects of chemistry and physics by means of experiments.
Students in astronomy have the use of a six foot, five inch diameter
refracting telescope. The museum contains a large number of speci¬
mens illustrating mineralogy, geology, zoology and applied sciences ;
skeletons and charts for teaching physiology, and a herbarium for
students in botany ; also an archaeological collection from China and
various parts of America.

By the liberality of Messrs. F. G. and W. F. Niedringhaus, of the
St. Louis Stamping Company, the Niedringhaus-Professorship of His¬
torical and Practical Theology was established at the last meeting of
the board of trustees (June, 1884), and Rev. E. F. Stroeter, of the
North-western German Conference, was elected to fill the chair. Prof.
Jno. P. Pfaff, principal of the preparatory department, after seven
years’ service, resigned last June, and A. W. Stuhrmann, A. B., and
- have been elected to teach in this department.

1076

H [STORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

DISTINCTIVE FEATURE.

A characteristic feature of the college is the special attention it pays
to German. The German language is indispensable to the business
man, the lawyer and the physician. Young men and ladies who are
able to speak, write, or teach German, are preferred in many vocations
of life, and therefore command higher salaries. The facilities of the
college for giving students not only a theoretical, but a practical mas¬
tery of the language are unequaled by any college in the West. The
majority of the students, so far, are of German parentage. German
is used as a medium of instruction in about one-fourth of the classes.

One of the four literary societies, Germania Verein, conducts its ex¬
ercises entirely in the German language. All of the professors speak
German, and four of them finished their education in Germany. Up
to the year of 1881, none but German catalogues were published, since
then catalogues are issued in both German and English. The officers
of the Board of Trustees and members of the Faculty, as at present
constituted, are given below. The numbers accompanying each
name, signify the year of appointment.

Board of Trustees — Rev. William Koeneke, D. D.,1881, President ;
A. H. Boothe, Esq., 1882, Secretary; Rev. H. A. Koch, D. D., 1874,
Treasurer. Faculty — Rev. H. A. Cook, D. D., 1857, President and
Professor of Ancient Languages. Jno. H. Frick, A. M., 1870, Pro¬
fessor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; Wm. Albert Sauer, A.
M., 1866-68, 1875, Professor of Music and French ; Henry Vosholl,

A. M., 1871-76, 1878, Professor of English Language and History;
Jno. Louis Kessler, Phy. D., 1879, Schrader-Professor of Theology and
Philosophy; Jno. M. Rinkel, A. M., 1881, Kessler-Professor of
German Language and Literature; Rev. Ernst F. Streter, 1884, Nie-
dringhaus-Professor of Practical and Historical Theology ; Jno. H.
Tiemann, 1884, Assistant Professor of Music; Preparatory depart¬
ment ; Henry Vosholl, A. M., 1884, Principal, A. W. Stuhnman, A.

B. , assistant; Henry Vosholl, A. M., Librarian ; Jno. H. Frick, A.
M., Curator of Museum.

CENTRAL WESLYAN ORPHAN ASYLUM.

[Contributed].

The organization, location and purposes of this institution have
already been given in the history of the college. They both existed
under the same corporate name and were under the control of the
same board of trustees until the year 1882, when the conference ap-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1077

pointed a separate board for the asylum. At the first Revs. G. Boes-
henz, H. Pfaff andF. W. Meyer, respectively, had charge of the insti¬
tution for a short time, and then followed the administration of Rev.
Phil. Kuhl, or Papa Kuhl as he was and is stilled called. He was
president of the corporation, pastor in charge for a time, and also
presiding elder of the Warrenton district. President Kuhl was very
active and enterprising and strove earnestly to build up the interests
of both college and asylum, and also of the town and county.

Some of the plans for furtheringthe cause, however, proved failures,
notably the organization of the Orphan’s Benefit Insurance Company.
Many of the friends of asylum and college invested their surplus
funds in this enterprise in the hope of benefiting "the orphans. But
the enterprise proved a total failure, and the orphans not only derived
no benefit of the same, but the stockholders themselves lost more or
less of the stock invested. This was indeed most unfortunate for the
asylum as it caused a lukewarmness amongits friends, and for a number
of years the contributions for its support decreased. It is proper
here to state that the asylum is supported by contributions from the
members of the German M. E. Church and their friends. Another
means of support was derived from the boarding department which
was in connection with the asylum from the beginning until the year
1878. While the asylum thus derived assistance from the school, it at
the same time furnished the means of support to many a poor student.
These found work, and liberal wages, on the asylum farm and woods.
Many acres of timber land have been cleared and thousands of cords
of wood have been chopped by students who thus educated head, hand
and heart together. The farm at first consisted of over 600 acres, the
entire Truesdail estate, but over 200 acres have been sold in small
tracts and town lots. At present the asylum has about 150 acres in
cultivation and the balance in pasture. A large orchard of fruit trees
has been planted and is at present producing large quantities of fruit.
The crops raised are chiefly wheat, oats and hay. The farm is kept
well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs. It has therefore been no
small factor in the support of the orphan family, and in fact, during
the administration of Dr. Koch from 1872 to 1878, the farm and
boarding department were the chief reliance of the asylum. In 1878,
Rev. Chas. Heidel succeeded Dr. Koch and not being encumbered
with the many duties pertaining to the school, he could go out and
solicit aid for the asylum among its friends. Again liberal contribu¬
tions began to come in, and the necessities of the institution have
been receiving more attention ever since.

1078

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

In 1880, Kev. C.F. Schlinger was appointed superintendent of the
asylum and farm and his administration is giving general satisfac¬
tion .

The boys are taught to work in the fields, gardens and orchards ;
also the care of stock. The girls are taught to do cooking, house¬
work and sewing.

o t

For some years the orphans received instructions in the primary
department of the college, but since that department has been discon¬
tinued, they have had a separate school of their own in which they
receive instructions in both the German and English in the elementary
branches. Those more advanced receive free tuition in the college
and may make a full course in any of the departments. The following
persons have had charge of the orphan school : —

Mr. W. A. Sauer, Miss Amelia Heidel, Miss Lydia Geisinger, Miss
Mary Witt and Miss Sophia Schlinger. The orphan children have
organizad a literary society, and have given some very creditable
public entertainments.

From first to last they have been instructed in the principles of the
Christian religion and good morals.

o o

It will thus be seen that these poor unfortunates may have received
a good home and a sufficient training to assist them in becoming good
citizens. At an early day more applications were received than the
facilities of the asvlum would admit of receiving. Additions to the

j O

buildings were made from time to time, and the average number of
children have been about 30 to 35. The old buildings were fast be¬
coming dilapidated, and in the year 1881 the question of either build¬
ing a new building or uniting with the orphan asylum of the church
at Berea, Ohio, was raised and discussed. A vote was ordered to be
taken by the various societies of the church in the St. Louis and West¬
ern German Conferences, as to whether the orphans should be removed
to Berea or a new building erected.

A majority of societies voting opposed the proposed union with
Berea, and the conferences accordingly, in 1882, authorized the erec¬
tion of a new building here at Warrenton. The separation of college
and orphan asylum was authorized, and the same was effected in
1884, the asylum retaining all the land except about 30 acres for
college camping. Messrs. F. G. and Wm. F. Niedringhaus offered
to donate 30 acres of land, worth $10,000, in the immediate vicinity
of St. Louis, provided the conferences would build a $15,000 new
orphan asylum upon it. On account of this provision and the great
opposition to a removal the offer was not accepted, and the confer-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1079

ences again authorized the trustees to proceed with the erection of a
new building.

The contract for building the same has been let, and it will be com¬
pleted in the spring of 1885 at a cost of $10,000. The building will
be large enough to accommodate from 50 to 60 children. It is to be
of brick, two stories high and a basement, and to be heated by steam.
By wise and an economical management, a building fund has been
accumulated, which now amounts to $7,000.

The present officers of the corporation are Rev. H. F. Koeneke,
president; Rev. J. A. Miller, vice-president; Rev. Henry Schuetz,
secretary; Rev. John H. Hilmer, A. M., treasurer; Rev. C. F.
Schlinger, superintendent.

REMOVAL OF THE DEPOT.

When the North Missouri Railway reached Truesdale a passenger
and freight depot was erected, and this remained the station for War-
renton proper until 1883. The many inconveniences to which resi¬
dents were subjected aroused them to make an effort to have the
depots removed to a more central and desirable location, nearer the
business and residence portion of the town. Leading citizens made
everv effort to accomplish that end, but for over twenty years the
combined opposition of the railway authorities and the citizens of
Truesdale prevented the removal.

The following account of the opening exercises attending the com¬
pletion of the new depot is taken from the St. Louis Globe- Democrat
of March 28, 1883 : —

Warrenton has at last been made a railroad town in the full mean¬
ing of the term, after a persistent struggle on the part of its citizens
extending over a period of 26 years. The people are jubilant over
this tardy recognition of their rights and gave vent to their feelings
by celebrating their new depot victory Tuesday night with an illumin¬
ation, public presentations, fire-works and a ball and supper.

Warrenton is a thriving village on the Wabash Railroad, and peo¬
ple are noted for the genial hospitality, solid business houses, an im¬
posing court house and the Central Wesleyan College building.

Truesdale, the former stopping place on the railroad for Warren¬
ton, is a mile and a quarter east, and was made the stopping point
in 1857, when the old North Missouri Railroad was first opened.
The injustice of this is all the more apparent, when it is remembered
that Warren county subscribed and paid $50,000 in cash to build the
road. Protests loud and strong were entered at the time, but all to
no avail. Stockholders of the road secured possession of the land,
located the rival town of Truesdale, and the depot was located there.

1080

HISTORY- OF WARREN COUNTY.

This new depot is within its city limits, at the foot of Market street,
and in close proximity to the business portion of the town. The
structure cost $2,800, of which amount $1,200 was paid by citizens.
It is neatly finished with ladies’ and gentlemen’s waiting rooms, which
are divided by the office of the agent, Mr. Sweeney. Great prepara¬
tions were made for a demonstration in honor of its completion, and
a most enthusiastic celebration occurred.

BRASS BAND.

In June, 1868, the young men of Warrenton determined to organize
a brass band. The instruments were purchased, and Prof. Roy Drake,
of Chillicothe, was secured as teacher. During the summer the
ladies of the town arranged for a strawberry festival at the court
house for the benefit of the band. Quite a sum of money was real¬
ized, and the members united in the following letter to the ladies who
had so cheerfully aided them : —

To Mrs. J. H. Pulliam, Mrs. L. J. Dryden, Mrs. Henry Parker, Mrs. C.E. Peers, Miss

Ella Faulconer, Misses Tidswells, Miss Helen Morsey, Mrs. Middelkamp, Mrs.

Chas. Prudhome, Mrs. Ivuhle, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Riddle and others: —

The members of the Warrenton Brass Band take this method of
expressing to you their sincere thanks for your assistance in prepar¬
ing the eatables and decorating the house for the band festival on last
Saturday evening. Be assured by your kindness you will ever be held
in kind remembrance by Yours, thankfully,

John Middelkamp,
John Cullom,

W. A. Jones,

James H. Riddle,

W. L. Morsey,

James Teasse,

C. E. Peers,

W. H. Delventhal,
N. M. McFadden,

R. Ritter, Jr.,

R. B. Speed.

In the early days, Harold Sanders kept the “ Warrenton Central
Hotel,” a portion of which is now the Central Hotel at Warrenton.
Sanders was a famous landlord and renowned throughout the country
for his eccentricities and oddity of character. His house was widely
known and under its roof many of the most distinguished men of the
State have been royally entertained by Sanders and his wife, who was
said to have been a fine housekeeper and an excellent cook. Sanders
was a genial character; and in the early days of the Warren county

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1081

bar was especially popular with the attorneys who practiced there.
He removed to Montgomery county and died at Danville.

Among the well known landlords at Warrenton in the early times
was Maj. J. H. Faulconer, who at one time kept the Olive House, a
popular resort, now a portion of the Faulconer residence and store.
In the early days of the North Missouri Railroad, the Olive House
was headquarters for the pioneer contractors and officers, who occu¬
pied a portion of the building for office purposes, when Warrenton
was the terminus of the line.

The first physician who located in Warrenton was Dr. Thos. Bate¬
man, who practiced there before the county was organized. Dr.
Samuel Gregory, a Virginian ; Dr. C. H. Hughes, who now resides
in St. Louis ; Dr. C. M. Johnson, now living in St. Charles ; Dr. C.
W. Pringle, Dr. John Stewart and Dr. Robert Brascher, are all re¬
membered by the older citizeus of Warrenton as among the early
practitioners.

In the medical history of Warren county no name is more generally
referred to with pride than that of Churchill G. Strother. Dr.
Strother was a highly educated gentleman, and exceptionally fine phy¬
sician and withal an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, entering
heartily into all schemes having for their aim the growth and pros¬
perity of the town. He died in Warrenton lamented by every one
with whom he had associated during a useful and honorable life.

The ranks of the medical profession are now represented in Warren¬
ton by Dr. H. H. Middelkamp, who enjoys an extensive practice ; Dr.
Werner Karnlah and Dr. J. C. Hoech.

In the winter of 1865 a debating society was formed in Warrenton,
which at once became the center of attraction to both the young and
old people of the town. Discussions were regularly held, the ques¬
tions at issue being argued with marked ability by professional and
business men who worked diligently to make the society popular as a
medium of education and to afford amusement for the people. The
first officers of the society were J. S. Moody, president; E. J. Slater,
vice-president; Chas. E. Peers, secretary; T. J. Tidswell, treasurer.

At one time during the history of the society a moot congress was
organized, where, amid the forms of legislative proceeding, were ably
discussed the public measures of the day. These debates were very
popular and interesting, much interest being manifested by the people
of the town who attended in crowds to hear the forensic efforts of the
gentlemen who took part. The society continued in existence fo r
several years but was finally discontinued.

1082

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

The presence of an excellent quality of fire clay was known to exist
in the vicinity of Warrenton, but no effort was made to develop this
industry until 1879, when an association was formed to mine the clay
for shipment. Messrs. C. E. Peers, W. L. Morsey and L. J. Dryden
leased a tract of land, about one mile south of Warrenton, and the
venture, although successful, was abandoned after a season or two,
during which large quantities of clay were forwarded to St. Louis,
The association is still in existence, but they are not operating the
clay pits.

In 1870, the present court house was completed, giving to Warren
county one of the most commodious public buildings in the State.
It is located upon the public square, where was erected the first frame
seat of justice in 1839, and occupieds the exact site of the first brick
court house. Its beautiful outlines and imposing appearance add
much to the attractions of Warrenton. The court rooms and offices
are large, airy, well lighted and conveniently arranged for the trans¬
action of public business.

The business directory of Warrenton includes eight general stores,
two blacksmiths, one hardware store, two hotels, one meat market,
two tailors, two harness shops, one drug store, one shoemaker, one
restaurant, two livery stables, two insurance agents, five physicians,
two grist and saw mills, three wagon-makers, five lawyers, four
saloons, three carpenters, one brick-maker and one cabinet-maker.

TRUESDALE.

The village of Truesdale derives its name from Mr. William Trues-
dale, who was a civil engineer in the employ of the North Missouri
Kailroad. When the line reached the vicinitv of the town Mr. Trues-

dale purchased a large tract of land there from John Woodlan, one of
the oldest residents of Elkhorn township, upon which he platted and
laid out the village.

The railroad company erected a depot, engine house and coal sheds
here, and Truesdale for a vear or more was the western terminus
of the line.

The earliest settlers were James Pate, who came from Virginia ;
Stephen Austin, who came in 1857; Edward Wheeler, Alfred John¬
son, a very prominent business man in the early time ; Michael Kelly,
an Irishman, who for years was a contractor on the line, and F. Gr.
Meinersbagan.

The first store was opened in 1857 by Williams & Truesdale.
James Woolsev operated a steam saw mill, and was known as an en-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1083

terprising citizen. In 1859 a commodious brick hotel was built near
the depot, the supposition being that Truesdale was destined to
become a large town. The house passed through many vissicitudes,
and was finally burned to the ground in 1879.

For many years great rivalry existed between Warrenton and
Truesdale regarding the location of depot facilities. The towns are
but a mile apart, and Truesdale, having the depot, its citizens made a
desperate effort to retain it, but were finally forced to succumb to
their larger and more influential neighbor. The history of the change
by which Warrenton secured the prize is given elsewhere in this work.
The public school at Warrenton accommodates the children of Trues¬
dale. There are one or two stores here and a hotel, but since the
days of the railroad extension the business of Truesdale has gradually
been absorbed by Warrenton.

PENDLETON.

Pendleton is situated on the line of the Wabash, St. Louis and
Pacific Railway, six miles west of Warrenton, and 65 miles from St.
Louis. Among the early settlers who located in the vicinity, years
before the town was laid out, were Job Price, 1834 ; Capt. J. W .
McFadden, 1848. Capt. McFadden is one of the best known men
in the county, having been sheriff, judge of the county court, mem¬
ber of the Legislature, and at the present time is county surveyor.
George Pitzer, 1818; George Wright, 1853; A. S. Wood, 1851.
Mr. Wood was at one time judge of the county court. Robert D.
Allen located here in 1848, and was a prominent citizen, having rep¬
resented Warren county in the Legislature. Pendleton was laid out
by the railroad authorities in 1858, and has since enjoyed a thriving
trade. A vast amount of hard wood lumber is annually shipped
from this point. There are three general stores here, and the town
is rapidly improving.

Among the old pioneer families of Warren county were the Skin¬
ners, who came into the county shortly after the year 1800, and set¬
tled in what is now Elkhorn township. John Skinner was a soldier
in the British army, and was captured at the surrender of Yorktovvn.
Shortly after he was taken sick, and was cared for by an old Virginia
farmer who took him to his house and nursed him back to
health.

Skinner raised a large family in this county and died here, and is
buried near Pendleton.

1084

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JUDGE CREED T. ARCHER

(Judge of the County Court aud Retired Farmer, Post-office, Warrenton).

Identified with Warren county from its first settlement, Judge
Archer is, perhaps, as well qualified as any old resident of the county
to give an outline of its history, from personal observation and par¬
ticipation in its affairs. He came here a grown man in the pioneer
days of the country, away back when the few people who were here
dressed in a very primitive fashion — the men wearing buckskin
clothes and the women homespun dresses. Wheat had not then been
introduced, corn supplying material for breadstuff, and game being
mainly relied upon for meat. The judge was from North Carolina,
being born in Rockingham county, in 1809. His father, Charles
Archer, was an Englishman by nativity and in early life a tailor by
trade. When a young man he was drafted into the army in England
and sent to Canada, where he deserted from the service, and fled
thence to the United States. He subsequently married, in Bucking¬
ham county, Va., Miss Elizabeth Pryor, a daughter of David Pryor,
of that State, becoming his wife. From Virginia he removed to
Rockingham county, N. C., where he engaged in farming and reared
a family of eight children, most of whom lived to reach mature years
and marry. The judge is the only one, however, now living. After
he grew up he came to Warren county, as stated above, and settled
three miles north-east of Warrenton, where he still resides. In 1837
he was married to Miss Annie Taggart, a daughter of James Taggart,
one of the first settlers of St. Charles county, having located in that
county when the people were compelled to fort themselves, or to congre¬
gate in forts, for protection against the Indians. Their farming was
done only when they felt assured that no roving bands of Indians were in
the vicinity, or by one man plowing while two guarded him with rifles
to protect him from assassination. In Warren county Judge Archer
soon became a successful farmer, and as the years came and went he
also became a large land-holder. But in late years he has divided
up his lands among his children, so that now he has only his home¬
stead left, an excellent farm of nearly 300 acres. He has also risen to
enviable prominence in the affairs of the county. In 1850 he was
elected coroner and served six years. As early as 1858 he was ap¬
pointed sheriff, vice P. Giles, deceased. Two years later he was
elected to that office, serving in all four years. For many years he
was justice of the peace, and in 1880 he was elected a member of the
county court. At the following election he was again chosen for this
office, and is still filling it. The Judge and Mrs. Archer have reared
eight children : Amanda F., married ; James F., William P., Padorah

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1085

A., the wife of G. Snick ; Sarah, now Mrs. Long; Elizabeth J., now
Mrs. Brookmann ; Creed L., Fields C., Charles B. and Louisa J., the
wife of T. J. Christman.

GEORGE BARTHOLOMAEUS

(Editor and Proprietor of the Volksfreund , Warrenton).

Mr. Bartholomaeus was a lad about 9 years of age when his pa¬
rents, Adam and Sophia Bartholomaeus, came to America from
Bavaria. He had previously attended school at Schweinfurt-on-the-
Main, and after the settlement of the family in this country he at¬
tended the public schools of Baltimore, Md. He also studied at home
and for a time had instruction from a private tutor. In 1857 he en¬
tered the office of the Deutscher Correspondent under Col. F. Rain e,
where he learned the printer’s trade, and later he contributed articles
from his own pen and letters to other papers as a correspondent.
He made a specialty of the study of the labor question and has
written quite extensively on that subject. As correspondent he
wrote principally for labor journals, and some of his letters at¬
tracted wide and favorable comment from papers and writers of
unquestioned repute. Mr. Bartholomaeus was a member of various
labor unions and benevolent societies, and has ever taken an active
and earnest interest in the cause of ameliorating the condition of
the wage-workers of the land and in advancing the laboring class
to that position of consideration and influence in society, and in
the government of the country, to which by every principle of right
and justice it is entitled. It is a notorious fact that the people
who build the fine houses of the land and produce all the delica¬
cies of life do not have them to enjoy, but that according to our
present system of distribution of the profits of labor, those get them
whose hands were never soiled by manual toil, and upon whom the
sun of a full hard day’s work never shown. Of course this is an out¬
rage on justice and humanity, and a crying shame that calls loudly
for reform. He continued in the city of Baltimore until 1876 when
he came West. In 1880, in partnership with Mr. F. A. Boehmer, *
he started the Warrenton Volksfreund. The Volksfreund is a
German weekly and has proved an unqualified success. From a sub¬
scription list of 340 to begin with, its circulation has been increased
to within six subscribers of 1,000. It is devoted to the general in¬
terest of the community and country, and in particular to the cause
of the Republican party, as the party of progress and mankind. It
is unquestionably one of the ablest conducted of the many able papers
supporting that party. October 15, 1865, he was married to Miss
Elizabeth Griensesen, in Baltimore, Md. She died July 17, 1868.
His second wife was a Miss Caroline Benseler before her marriage.
They have four children, namely : Carl J., Louisa S., Wilhelmina
Louisa C. and Annie. The mother of these died September 24, 1883.
Mr. Bartholomaeus is a member of the German Evangelical Church
at Warrenton.

1086

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

FRANK A. BOEHMER

(Attorney at Law and Notary Public, Warrenton).

Mr. Boehmer, though a young man, has advanced himself to a po¬
sition of more than ordinary prominence in his profession, considering
the length of time he has been engaged in the practice. But in view,
perhaps, of the facts that he had the best of opportunities to prepare
himself for a successful career at the bar, opportunities which he did
not fail to improve, and that he is a young man of unquestioned
mental force and acumen, as well as of untiring industry and studious,
regular habits, this is not otherwise than should be expected. With
the start he has already obtained as a lawyer, and the favoring cir¬
cumstances in which he is placed, his future at the bar certainly seems
one of promise. Mr. Boehmer is a native of Warren county,
born July 21, 1855, in Warrenton, Mo. His father, Dietrich
Boehmer, was a carpenter by trade, well known as one of the old and
respected citizens of Warren county. For many years, however, he
has been engaged in farming, in which he has been successful and is
now living on his comfortable homestead of 160 acres, adjoining
Warrenton. His wife, who was a Miss Wilhelmina Forderhase before her
marriage, is also still living. They reared but one child, Frank A.,
the subject of this sketch. He was given superior advantages for an
education. His general education was received at the Central Wes-
levan College, and in law he took a regular course in the State Uni-
versity of Missouri, where he graduated in 1879. In May, 1880, in
partnership with F. W. Schierbaum, he established the Warrenton
Sentinel , and in the fall of that year published a German edition to
the paper, which was called the Volksfreund,. About a year after the
paper was established the publication of the English edition, or the
Sentinel , was discontinued, but the Volksfreund was kept up. In the
fall of 1883 he sold the Volksfreund office to George Bartholomaeus,
who still continues the publication of the paper. Mr. Boehmer had
also been engaged in the practice of law while in the newspaper busi¬
ness, and after he sold out he concentrated his whole time and atten¬
tion on his law practice. November 22, 1881, he was married to
Mi ss Alwine Wessel. They have one child, Olivia, about two years
of age. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the German Evangelical
Church. Mr. Boehmer served in 1879 as deputy county clerk of his
cou nty.

THOMAS N. BONDURANT

(Depot and Express Agent, Postmaster, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public,

Pendleton).

On his father’s side Mr. Bondurant, as his name indicates, is of
French ancestry and is a lineal descendant of one of the gallant old
soldiers of the Revolution who came over to this country from
France under Lafayette to tight for the liberties of the people of
our then infant and struggling Colonies. The Bondurant family

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1087

settled in Virginia, where Mr. Bondurant’ s father was born and
reared and where he married and lived until his death. Mr. Bondu¬
rant’s mother was a Miss Jane B. Neblett, of Lunenburg county, Va.,
and was of Scotch descent. They reared a family of eight children,
all of whom are living. Thomas Bondurant, the subject of this
sketch, was the fourth in the family of children and was born in
Franklin county, Va., June 27, 1833. He was reared in that county
and received a good general English education. In 1862 he enlisted
in the Confederate army, a member of Co. C, Tenth Virginia cavalry,
in W. H. F. Lee’s brigade of Hampton’s division. He served with
courage and fidelity for three years, or until the close of the war, and
was one of the thousands and hundreds of thousands of brave soldiers
of the South who dared to do or die wherever duty called. At the
close of the war he received the appointment of justice of the county
court of Franklin county, which position he held up to the time of his
removal to this State. March 26, 1856, Mr. Bondurant was married
in Franklin county, Va., to Miss Sarah E. Neblett, a daughter of
William S. and Mary A. (Cheeley) Neblett, of that couty. After the
war he continued to reside in Virginia, engaged principally in farming
pursuits until 1871, when he removed to Missouri and located at
Pendleton. Here he followed merchandising for some four years.
In September, 1883, he was appointed depot agent of the Wabash at
this place, and has since continued to hold this position. Shortly he
was also appointed express agent and in the spring of 1873 he was
made postmaster, which position he has filled up to the present time.
In 1882 he was elected justice of the peace of Elkhorn township and
has since held this office. Mr. Bondurant received a commission as
notary public from Gov. Woodson about (1873) 11 years ago and
has since exercised the functions of this office. He now holds all the
positions mentioned above, and, as all know, he discharges the duties
they require with thorough efficiency and entire satisfaction to all con¬
cerned. The multiplicity of his duties and the celerity and thorough
manner in which he discharges them show conclusively that he is a
man of more than ordinary business aptitude and energy. Mr and
Mrs. Bondurant have five children : Georgia, who is the wife of Por¬
ter C., son of Col. Clay Turner; Willard E., now traveling auditor of
the International and Great Northern Railway, and resides at Pales¬
tine, Tex. ; Rebecca S., now ticket agent and telegraph operator of
the Wabash at Ferguson, Mo. ; Mary V., the telegraph operator at
Pendleton; and Jerome T., who is yet a youth and at home.
Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the M. E. Church South, and Mr.
B. is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and of the Masonic Mutual
Aid Association.

JOHN BRANDT

(Farmer, Post-office, Warrenton).

Dr. Henry F. Brandt, the father of the subject of this sketch, was
a well educated physician, who came over to this county from Prussia

1088

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

and located in Warren county, on Charrette creek, in 1832, where he
engaged in the practice of his profession, and also improved a farm.
He was married after his emigration from Prussia to Miss Marie Bock-
horst, in Warren county. Five children are living, reared in this
union, namely: Eliza, Henry, John, Julius and Emelia. Eliza is the
wife of Richard Hedemann, of St. Charles county; Henry is a prac¬
ticing physician of that county ; Julius is also practicing medicine, and
resides near Warrenton ; Emelia is the wife of William Gendeman ;
John Brandt, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county in
1838. He was reared on his father’s homestead, and became a farmer
on reaching the age that it was proper for him to start out for him¬
self, that being the calling to which he was brought up. Later along
he also engaged in merchandising, and is still in the mercantile busi¬
ness. He has a good farm of 160 acres, besides other valuable lands.
In the mercantile line he carries a large stock of goods fora store out-
side of a large town, his stock representing a value of over $4,000.
Mr. Brandt has an excellent trade, and is justly popular as a mer¬
chant for his fair dealing and gentlemanly, accommodating treatment
of all who have business with him. In 1864 he was married to Miss
Margaret Rethorst, a daughter of J. H. and Catherine (Kirkhoff)
Rethorst, who came from Germany in 1840. Her father has been
dead for many years, but her mother is still living, and has been in¬
duced to make her home with Mrs. Brandt, where her old age is made
bright and pleasant by the kindness and affection of her daughter and
others of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Brandt have four children: Eu¬
genia, Herman, Emil and Arnold.

JULIUS BRANDT, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, and Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Warrenton).

As would be expected of the large immigration into this country
from Europe, representatives of every class of society are to be found,
trom the most humble to those of the highest respectability. Among
those of the better class of people who came from Germany and made
their homes in Missouri during the “ Thirties,” were the parents of the
subject of the present sketch. Of them, however, mention has al¬
ready been made in the sketch of John Brandt, the Doctor’s brother,
so that it is unnecessary to repeat here what has been said there.
Suffice it, therefore, to say that Doctor Brandt’s parents were peo¬
ple of marked intelligence and culture, and of recognized social
standing ot influence. The Doctor was born on his father’s home¬
stead in this county July 3, 1840, and as he grew up received an ex¬
cellent common-school education While yet in youth he began the
study of medicine under his father, and in due time matriculated at
St. Louis Medical College where he took a regular course of two
terms and graduated with honor in 1865. Immediately following his
graduation, Dr. Brandt returned to the vicinity where he had been
reared, and engaged in the practice of his profession, in association
with his father. His thorough qualifications for the practice soon be-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1089

came apparent to all by his success in the treatment of cases, and he
was not long in becoming popular as a physician. In 1871 he was
married to Miss Louisa, a daughter of Herman Rethorst, of this
county. The year next succeeding his marriage Dr. Brandt removed
to his present location where he has ever since been actively engaged
in the practice, and in the management of his farms. His homestead
is one of the handsome and valuable farms of the community. . It
contains 250 acres, and is improved in a first-class manner. His resi¬
dence is a large and tastely built two-story frame, and is handsomely
set off by a beautiful yard and exceptionally attractive surroundings.
He also has another place of 300 acres, a part of the old parental
homestead. The Doctor and Mrs Brandt are members of the German
Evangelical Church.

JOSEPH P. CHILES

(Of Chiles Bros., Dealers in General Merchandise, and Railroad Supply Contractors,

Pendleton) .

Mr. Chiles located in the vicinity of Pendleton immediately after
the war and engaged in milling, which he followed successfully for
about 12 years, when he withdrew from the milling business and began
merchandising in the town of Pendleton. His experience in business
has been quite satisfactory and he has succeeded in placing himself in
good circumstances. When he came here his cash capital amounted
to about $100, which were all the means he had of any kind to begin
with. This is a record of which he has no cause to be ashamed, but,
on the contrary, is one of much credit. Besides his merchandising he
is also doing a large business at contracting with the Wabash Railroad,
which he furnishes with large quantities of supplies annually. He sup¬
plies the road with about 3,000 cords of wood, some 20,000 ties and
over 25,000 fence posts per year, besides other supplies. He is an
Illinoisan by nativity, born in Cumberland county, October 18, 1844.
His father was William F. Chiles, formerly of Alabama. His mother
was ante-nuptiallv Miss Martha Plummer from Indiana. They were
married in Morgan county, Ind., in 1839, and removed thence to Illi¬
nois and from there to Warren county, Mo., in 1844. In 1850
the family removed to Montgomery county where the father was
engaged in farming until 1859 and in milling from 1859 to 1865,
but in 1865 returned to Warren county where he has been living
ever since. He is a carpenter by trade, but has also from time to
time followed other pursuits, including milling and farming. The
mother died in 1865 and had borne her husband eight children,
five of whom are living, namely: Thomas K., Joseph P., Elizabeth
A., John S. and Robert N. Joseph P. Chiles, the fourth in the fam¬
ily and the subject of this sketch, was principally reared in Montgom¬
ery county and was married at Pendleton, in Warren county, Novem¬
ber 9, 1869, to Miss Eliza McIntyre, a daughter of David and Martha
McIntyre. Mr. Chiles’ wife died February 5, 1884, leaving him six chil¬
dren : Martha J., Luella, Annie E., Thomas F., Angus and David N.

1090

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

During the war Mr. C. joined the Union army, Co. F, Forty-ninth
Missouri volunteers, and served for about a year, or until the end of
the war. He and his partners carry a stock of $2,000 and have an
excellent trade. He is one of the enterprising, thorough-going and
successful business men of his part of the county.

SAMUEL B. COOK

(Attorney at Law and Editor and Proprietor of the Warrenton Banner).

Mr. Cook purchased the Banner office in the summer of 1882 and
has ever since been conducting the paper as editor and proprietor.
The Banner is one of the old and well established country journals of
the State. As a business enterprise it has been a marked success,
while in point of standing and influence it occupies an enviable posi¬
tion. It is Democratic in politics and has rendered valuable services
for the party in advocating with ability sound Democratic doctrines,
and in supporting at all times only those of its party adherents for
the public service or political advancement who were known to meet
the old Jeffersonian test, honesty and capacity. It is perhaps more
largely due to the influence of the Banner that Warren county, with
an unquestioned Republican majority, has so often elected Demo¬
cratic nominees for different offices. The high character the Banner
had attained before Mr. Cook took charge of it has suffered nothing
in his hands. On the contrary, both as a business investment and as
a journal, strictly speaking, its career under his management has been

one of steady and substantial advancement. He brought to the paper
a personal popularity he has long enjoyed which has been of much
value to it, and certain individual characteristics in editorial and busi¬
ness management that have contributed largely to its success. Mr.
Cook was well known in the county when he took charge of the paper,
as he still is, as one of its most popular and highly respected citizens.
He had been repeatedly elected to office, though a Democrat and in a
Republican county. His connection with politics, also, has been
such, and his experience in affairs, as to fit him for the successful man¬
agement of a paper among the people by whom he was and is so
well and favorably known. The Banner continues to bear unmis¬
takable evidence of prosperity and of marked influence on public
opinion and in political affairs. Mr. Cook is a clear, vigorous and
effective writer, and being a man of strong convictions and earnest,
sincere purposes, his articles have a weight and influence which could
not result from the writings of one less candid and clear-headed, and
in whom the public have not the utmost confidence. As a newspaper
Mr. Cook keeps the Banner fully abreast the times, giving each
week all the latest and most reliable news, well selected and digested,
of interest to the constituency among whom it circulates. Nothing,
however, of a purely sensational nature, where few or no facts are
involved, are admitted to its columns, and nothing that may not be
read with propriety in the best guarded and most careful household.
The Banner has a large circulation and is justly regarded by business

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1091

men of intelligence as an exceptionally valuable advertising medium.
It has a large patronage of advertisers, and its business of this class
is steadily increasing. Unquestionably the Banner is one of the
valuable pieces of country newspaper property in the State. Mr.
Cook has been a resident of Warren county since 1865, or since he
was 13 years of age, having been reared in this county from that age.
He is a native of Virginia, born in Warren county January 11, 1852.
His parents were William Cook of that county and wife nee Sarah
M. Kelly of Fauquier county. The Cook family have long been
settled in Virginia, and Mr. Cook’s grandfather, William Cook, Sr.,
was also of Warren county, that State. William Cook, Jr., Samuel
B.’s father, was a merchant by occupation, and in business at Front
Royal until 1852, when he removed to Crawfordsville, Ind. For some
seven years at Crawfordsville he was engaged in the hotel business.
In 1859 he removed to Atchison county, Mo., and kept a hotel at
Rock Port for some three vears. He then removed to Washington
county, where he followed merchandising for three years, and in Jan¬
uary, 1865, came to Warren county, settling near Marthasville, where
he died in November of the same year. In the family there were five
children besides Samuel B., four of whom had grown to mature years
before their father’s death. The children were Alexander, who
afterwards died in Arkansas ; William, who is now a resident of
Texas ; Scott and David, both married and residents of this county,
and Emma, who was the wife of George W. Kite, now of Saline
county. Samuel B. Cook Avorked on a farm until he was 21 years of
age, when, having received a fair common school education in the
ordinary English branches, he came to Warrenton and began the
study of law under Hon. Charles E. Peers. After a regular course
of study, in 1874 he was admitted to the bar, Judge W. W. Edwards
of the circuit bench presiding. Such were his recognized qualifica¬
tions for the practice and his ability as a lawyer, that in about nine
months after his admission, the office of county attorney becoming
vacant, he was strongly recommended for that position both bv his
brother attorneys and a number of the influential men of the county.
Upon these unquestioned indorsements Gov. Woodson appointed him
to the office. His discharge of the duties of that position Avere emi¬
nently satisfactory to the public. In the fall of 1874 Mr. Cook was
appointed deputy sheriff and collector of the county under John A.
Howard, Esq. This position he held by reappointment for four
years. He then became a candidate for the office himself, his oppo¬
nent being Judge D. P. Dyer, one of the popular men of the county,
and a nephew of Col. D. P. Dyer, of St. Louis. Judge Dyer was
the Republican candidate and had a party majority in the county, but
Mr. Cook, through personal popularity, overcame the majority
against him and was triumphantly elected. In 1880 he was re-elected
by an increased majority and held the office for four years.
Shortly prior to the close of his second term he bought the Banner
office and has ever since been connected with the paper. He is also
the President of the Bank of Warren County. In the fall of 1879 he

1092

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

was married to Miss Ella M. Howard, a daughter of John A. Howard,
former sheriff of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have two children,
Fannie and Jessie T.

CAPT. JOSEPH L. FANT

(Attorney at Law and Notary Public, Warrenton).

Unless one were to give some attention to the family biographies of
the earlier settlers of Missouri, or those who came to this State prior
to the late war, he could form no adequate idea of the large, prepon¬
derating percentage of the people who are of Virginia antecedents.
Though without authoritative, actual statistics on the subject, it is
perhaps safe to say that at least 75 per cent of the population of Mis¬
souri, coming of ante-bellum families, are originally of Old Dominion
parentage. Among the large number of worthy and respected citizens
of Warren county who may be classed in the above category, is the
subject of the present sketch. Capt. Joseph L. Fant is himself a na¬
tive of Virginia, though from early youth he was reared in Missouri.
He was born in Fauquier county, September 15, 1824. When he was
about 12 years of age his parents, Richard L. and Rachel (Blackburn)
Fant, removed to Missouri in April, 1836, and stopped for about a
year in St. Charles county, but then came thence to the vicinity of
Marthasville, in Warren countv. In 1839 thev removed to Warren-
ton, and six years afterwards to Jefferson City, where the father
engaged in the hotel business. He was a wheelwright by trade, and
followed that up to the time of going to Jefferson City almost exclu¬
sively. Subsequently his time was divided between his trade and the
management of his hotel. His wjfe died in Callaway county in the
fall of 1858, and he in 1862, at Warrenton. They reared a family of
nine children, four sons and five daughters, namety : Mary, who died
the wife of Richard Owens, of this county ; Martha, the wife of James
Vivian, of St. Louis ; Hamilton G., now a successfully retired banker of
Washington City, D. C. ; Lucy A., the wife of Henry Oliver, of Callaway
county ; Salina, who is the widow of Charles Simon, of that county;
Thomas W., a resident of California; Roberta, who married Lieut.
Edward Fant, of the regular United States service before the war,
and during the war a gallant officer in the Confederate army, killed
before Richmond in June, 1862. She is also deceased. Capt. Fant
remained with his parents until about the time he was 14 years of age,
when he started out for himself. He obtained a situation in the store
ot H. G. Fant, in the fall of 1843, at Jefferson City, in which he
clerked for some two years. He then became a trader on the plains
with the Indians. Shortly after the outbreak of the Mexican War,
young Fant enlisted under Capt. Monroe M. Parsons, in Co. F, First
Missouri riflemen, commanded by Col. A. W. Doniphan. After the
close of his term of service, Mr. Fant returned to Warrenton, his
former home, and in the fall of 1817 was married to Miss Ruth H.
Stewart, a daughter of Griffith Stewart, Esq., of Warren county.
About this time he engaged in the manufacture of tobacco and in

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1093

general merchandising. Continuing in this for a number of years,
he also, after a time, read law, and in 1861 was admitted to the bar,
when he located at Warrenton for the practice of his profession.
He took the side of the Union during the war, and early enlisted in
the Federal service. In the summer of 1862 he was made Second
Lieutenant of Co. C, Thirty-second Missouri, and in the following
summer was promoted to a captaincy, the command of Co. K, which
he held until he was honorably discharged from the service. He
then returned to Warrenton and engaged in the practice of his pro¬
fession, and became interested in farming. He has since been actively
identified with these pursuits, and is also a notary public. The
Captain and Mrs. F. have nine children: Victoria J., single and with
her parents; and Joseph L., married and resident of Chillicothe ;
Lucy A., the wife of John P. Regan, of St. Francois county Ham¬
ilton G., who is married and a resident of Springfield: Chauncy B.,
married and residing at Jonesburg; Clarence V., unmarried and still
at home ; and Vidona. Three are dead.

THOMAS J. FARISS

(Cashier of the Bank of Warren County, Warrenton, Mo.)

Mr. Fariss has been connected with the Bank of Warren county
since the fall of 1883, and prior to that was engaged in mercantile
business for over 30 years. A man of long business experience, with
whom the people of Warren county are thoroughly acquainted and
who stands well in public opinion wherever he is known, his selection
for the position he now holds was unquestionably one of no ordinary
advantage to the bank, as well as of marked credit to him. Mr. Far-
iss’ connection with the bank has fully justified the expectations of all
his friends, in this branch of business. It is no empty compliment to
say, but the statement of a plain fact, that he has made a most effici¬
ent and popular cashier, and has added very materially to the influence
and prosperity of the institution. The bank is one of solid financial
character, supported by ample capital and controlled by men who
have each spent a lifetime of honest and successful business activity
in this county, and whose names and high characters are the best
guaranty that any business enterprise could give of ability and integ¬
rity. The capital stock of the institution is $10,000, and the average
deposits amount to about $50,000. Mr. Fariss is a man of family.
He was married December 31, 1863, when Miss Lizzie Kenmer, a
daughter of Friederick Kenmer, of New Melle, became his wife. She
lived to brighten his home for some 16 years, but was at last, and too
soon, indeed, taken away by the inexorable hand of death. She left
him three children : Willie, Charlie and Ella. To his present wife
Mr. Fariss was married in 1881. She was a Miss Ida M. Lyons, a
daughter of Hugh F. Lyons. They have an infant daughter, Addie
F. Mr. F. is a native Missourian, born in St. Charles county, Decem¬
ber 11, 1840. His father, Charles M’Lee Fariss, came to St. Charles
county from Culpeper county, Va., in 1826. He was married to Miss

1094

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Susan Mason, a daughter of John Mason, of St. Charles county, but
formerly of the vicinity of Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Fariss, Sr., was a school
teacher by profession, which he followed for many years, and in which
he enjoyed an enviable reputation. He was also justice of the peace,
and held that office at the time of his death, in 1853. His wife is still
living, now at the age of 77, and makes her home with her daughter.
Mrs. Adolph Muench. There were six children in the family besides
Thomas J., the subject of this sketch. Thomas J. Fariss received a
^ood common-school education in youth, and at an early age began
clerking in a store at Augusta. Eight years afterwards, in 1863, he
bought out the proprietor for whom he had been clerking, and subse¬
quently continued the business in Wright City until 1881. He then
eno-a^ed in the tobacco business, which he followed until he was elected
cashier of the Bank of Warren county in the fall of 1883.

JOHN H. FAULCONER

(Dealer in General Merchandise, and Mayor, Warrenton).

Prominent among the well known and highly respected citizens of
Warren county may veiy properly be mentioned the subject of the
present sketch, Mr. Faulconer. Long a popular and successful busi¬
ness man of Warrenton, three times treasurer of the county, and also
its representative in the Legislature, as well as present mayor of this
place, he has thus in public and in business life been so identified with
the county as to render at least a brief sketch of his career almost in¬
dispensable to the completeness of the biographical department of the
present work. He was born in St. Charles county, August 24, 1824,
and was a son of John N. Faulconer, originally of Orange county, Va.,
but who went to Kentucky early in life where he was shortly married
to Miss Elizabeth Bainbridse. He and wife, too’ether with her brother,
Dr. Bainbridofe and family, came to Missouri as earlv as 1822 and
settled in St. Charles county. John H. Faulconer was therefore born
but two years after the removal of his parents to this State. They reared
a family of eleven children, in which John H. was the fourth. He was
brought up to farm work and with primitive district school advan¬
tages. August 24, 1852, he was married to Miss Frances Pulliam, a
daughter of John Pulliam, formerly of Kentucky. After his marriage
he settled on a farm in Lincoln countv, where he resided about four
years. He then removed to Warrenton, and shortly engaged in mer¬
chandising. Mr. Faulconer has been in mercantile business at this
place almost continuously since that time. He is still conducting a
store and carries a good stock of about $2,500 value, with a trade cor¬
respondingly good. Mr. Faulconer was an unconditional Union man
during the war, and was therefore a sturdy Republican from the time
that Democracy became synonymous with treason. Since then he has
continued to vote with and work with the great party of patriotism
and loyalty that saved the Nation from rebel assassination, the grand
party of liberty and Union, the Republican party. In 1861 he was ap¬
pointed treasurer of the county, and the following year was elected to

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1095

that office. Two years later still he was elected a member of the
Legislature from this comity. In 1870 he was asfain elected treasurer
and was once more re-elected to the same office. He is now serving
as mayor of Warrenton. The fact that he has served so often as
treasurer, and has invariably so faithfully discharged the duties of that
office, handling from year to year all the public moneys of the county,
amounting to large sums and without the ioss of a single dollar to the
people, is a monumental disproof of the scurvy lie of the ex-bush¬
whackers of the State now training under the soiled banner of Cleve¬
land and Hendricks, so often repeated, that in Missouri it is as im¬
possible for public funds to pass safely through the hands of a Repub¬
lican official as it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Mr.
Faulconer made a faithful official, and to-day commands the universal
confidence of the people of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Faulconer have
three children : Eleanor, Mary E., and Emma A. Eleanor is the wife
of W. A. Jones, and Emma is the wife of E. F. Kathan.

PROF. JOHN H. FRICK, A. M.

(Of the Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton).

How uncommon it is for those of good mental and physical vigor
and with a determination to succeed, to be kept back by the want of
early advantages, is exemplified in almost every community by one or
more instances of an individual who has risen to enviable standing in
affairs from extremely unfavorable circumstances in youth. Though
trite, it is so true that the individual, and not his circumstances,
makes his own success that it bears repetition here. Unless one have
the essential qualities of character for a successful career, all that
favorable opportunities can do will not advance him to, and retain
him in, any position of consideration. But these qualities given, his
success is almost a foregone conclusion. These observations are
drawn out by a glance over the career of the subject of the present
sketch. Now holding, with honor to himself and with credit to the
institution of whose faculty he is a member, a prominent professor¬
ship in the Central Wesleyan College, an institution of learning of
established and enviable reputation, he has risen to this position al¬
most exclusively by his own exertions and personal worth, by his
strength of mind and character, his own merits. In a word he is in
no secondary sense a self-made man, but one who has, pre-eminently,
himself to thank for what he has accomplished. Prof. Frick is of
German-Welsh ancestry. He was born in Clay county, Mo., March
13, 1845. His father, William Frick, was from Rhenish Bavaria, and
came to America in 1839. For a time he resided in Pennsylvania
and then came to Missouri, purchasing land in Clay county where
he improved a farm. In 1844 he was married to Miss Annie Hoblit,
of Clinton county, a daughter of David Hoblit, who, on his father’s
side, was of a Pennsylvania-German family. The founder of the Hoblit
family in this county settled in Pennsylvania in 1850. Mrs. Frick’s
mother was a Miss Martha Wilson, a daughter of Rev. Amos Wilson,

1096

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

a somewhat noted Baptist minister of Ohio, and a nephew of James
Wilson of Pennsylvania, one of the signers of the Declaration of In¬
dependence. William Frick became a substantial farmer of Clay
county and resided there, one of its highly respected citizens, until
April, 1884, over 40 years, when he moved to Warren county, Mo. He
and his good wife reared a family ot five children, ol whom Prof.
Frick is the eldest, and one of the two sons in the family. All have
taken enviable positions in life. Prof. Frick’s early advantages for
an education were limited to the desultory and by no means first-class
district school of the neighborhood where he was reared. But hav¬
ing a natural thirst for knowledge, he applied himself to his books
with untiring industry, and, after availing himself fully of the in¬
struction to be had at home, being determined to obtain an advanced
education, he resolutely entered college at the Central Wesleyan, with
nothing to support him in his prospective career but his ability and
disposition to work, his determination to succeed, and the moral sup¬
port of friends. He worked his way through college supporting
himself a part of the time by manual labor during vacation. Later
along he obtained more suitable employment, and taught in the pre¬
paratory department of the college. In 1870 he realized one of the
dearest ambitions of his life — he graduated with high honor from
his Alma Mater. Previous to coming to the Central Wesleyan, he had
taught school for a term or two in Clay county, and before his grad¬
uation had served as deputy sheriff of that county. Prof. Frick con¬
tinued teaching after his graduation, and in 1871 received the high
honors of a unanimous election to the chair of Mathematics and Nat¬
ural Sciences in the Central Wesleyan, a position he has since contin¬
ued to fill with conspicuous success and ability. Prof. Frick is known
among educators in this State and even beyond its limits as one of
their ablest co-workers, particularly in the departments of his spec¬
ialities — Mathematics and Natural Sciences. In 1878 he was elected
a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science,
a distinction of high honor for one of his age and experience. A
year ago he read before that Association, then assembled at Minneapo¬
lis, Minnesota, a paper on tornadoes, which attracted Avide and highly
complimentary notice from scientific men throughout the country.
He has been appointed a special tornado reporter for this section bv
the U. S. Signal Seiwice. The Professor has constructed a telescope
of remarkable power, considering its size, and of singular perfection ,
which is successfully used at the Central Wesleyan. Without question
he is a scholar of a high order of ability and attainments. Still com¬
paratively a young man, his future certainly seems one of more than
ordinary promise. In 1872 Prof. Frick was married to Miss Kate
Hartel, a refined and accomplished daughter of a highly respected
citizen of Clay county, Frederick Hartel. The Professor and his ex¬
cellent wife have five children: F. William, John J., Edward L.,
Katie P. and Benj. F. Prof. Frick is the most conspicuous temper¬
ance worker in the county, and has been president of the Warren
county Sunday-school Association tor the past three years. He is a

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1097

Republican in politics and was for four years a member of the Repub¬
lican State Central Committee.

JUDGE AUGUST HOLLMANN

(Farmer, Post-office, Warrenton).

Judge Hollmann was six years of age when his parents, Frank and
Louisa (Linnert ) Hollmann, came to this country from Prussia, in 1846.
They settled in Warren county, where the father engaged in farmingand
where they reared a family of six children, namely: Frank, Jr., now
deceased; Henry C., of Washington, in Franklin county; William,
Fred, August and Hermann. All the last-named are in this county.
August Hollmann was the fifth of his parents’ family of children, and
was born in Prussia on the 2d of February, 1840. Principally
reared in Warren county, he was brought up a farmer and was married
here in 1865 to Miss Carrie Vogt, a daughter of Herman and Catharine
Vogt, who had previously settled in this country from Germany. Of
her brothers and sisters, but one brother is living, Henry Vogt.
Judge Hollmann has had substantial success as a farmer and now owns
two good farms, one five miles north of Warrenton, where he has re¬
sided ever since his marriage, another of 120 acres only a short dis¬
tance from this one. His homestead is well improved and has all
the conveniences and comforts of life. For two years Judge Hollmann
was a judge of the county court, and made a thorough, upright and
efficient guardian of the people’s interests on the bench. The Judge
and Mrs. Hollman have seven children : Henry H., Minnie, Hermann,
August, Edward, Caroline and Alwina.

JOHN A. HOWARD

(Deputy Sheriff and ex-Sheriff, Warrenton).

Mr. Howard’s parents, David and Margaret (Fort) Howard, settled
in what is now Warren county away back in the territorial days of
the country when the Indian, the wolf and slow-paced bear were still
in the land. They were from Kentucky, and settled 10 miles south
of Warrenton, on Charrette creek, where the father died in 1849. He
was a farmer by occupation and one of the old and respected citizens
of the county. He was twice married, his second wife having been pre¬
viously widow M’Cutchen. There were six children by his first mar¬
riage : James, Peter, Mary, Thomas, John A. and Emsely J., all of
whom are living except Mary, who died the wife of Joseph Tice. He
reared three children by his last wife, but one of whom is living,
George, in Boone county. John A. Howard, the subject of this
sketch, was married in 1850 to Miss Frances Bryan, who is still liv¬
ing. After his marriage Mr. Howard engaged in farming, and in
1874 he was elected sheriff of Warren county, being re-elected two
years later. In 1878 his son-in-law, S. B. Cook, succeeded him in
office, when he became Mr. C.’s deputy, in which capacity he is still
serving in the sheriff’s office, Mr. Cook having [been re-elected in

1098

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1882. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have reared two children: Ella M.,
the wife of Sheriff Cook, and Hattie L femmelibre, is still at home.
Mr. Howard resides in Warrenton.

JAMES HUTCHERSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Warrenton').

Mr. Hutcherson, well known as one of the prominent farmers and
highly respected citizens of Warren county, is a native of Virginia, born
in Pittsylvania county, July 9, 1830. He was a son of Benjamin and
Betsey (David) Hutcherson, who were also born and reared in that
county, where they were married and resided until 1831 when they
removed to Missouri and settled in Warren county, where the parents
lived until their deaths. The father was a successful farmer of this
county and died in 1872. The mother died in 1839. James Hutch¬
erson was the youngest of eight children in his parents’ family, but
one besides himself of whom is now living, Wilson, the fifth one of
the family. The others were William, Allen, Lewis, John, Henry
and Mary. The father married a second time, Miss Polly Gordon
becoming his wife. There were four children by this union. James
Hutcherson was reared on his father’s farm in this county and No¬
vember 4, 1852, was married to Miss Sallie J. Riddle, a daughter of
Ephraim and Judith (Gravellev) Riddle, also originally from Pittsyl¬
vania county, Va. After his marriage Mr. Hutcherson became one
of the householders of the county, and began his career as one of its
successful farmers. Not to go into the details of his record as a
farmer, it may be stated as the result of his experience, that he has a
fine farm of 560 acres, all under fence and otherwise well improved,
one of the valuable farms of his part of the county. Mr. and Mrs.
Hutcherson have had nine children, three of whom died in infancy:
Henry H., Levy, who died January 20, 1884; John, Fayette, Ben¬
jamin, who died January 27, 1883, and Guy. During the war Mr.
Hutcherson served for about eight months in the Southern army. He
was a member of the State guard and participated in the battles of
Lexington and Wilson’s Creek. Mr. H. is a member of the A. F.
and A. M.

WILLIAM A. JONES

(Druggist and Pharmacist, Warrenton).

If is a characteristic of some men to excel in whatever thev under-
take, to go to the front in anything in which they engage. The
slightest observation in Warrenton will convince any one that to class
the subject of the present sketch with these would be no empty, un¬
meaning compliment, but only the statement of a plain, actual fact.
Mr. Jones is in the drug business at Warrenton, and, as every one
knows who knows anything about the place, he has the largest and
best drug store, the neatest and most popular house in this line not
only in Warrenton but throughout the county ; and, indeed, one of

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1099

the best conducted and tastily kept retail drug stores in the State.
His house, or business, has been built up almost exclusively by his
own enterprise and good management. He entered the store in 1866
in partnership with Dr. Farrow. In 1869 he bought out his partner,
Dr. Farrow, and has ever since been carrying on the business alone.
He carries a stock of about $3,500, and has a trade far in excess of what
would be expected in a town the size of Warrenton, or considering the
general business of the place. In arrangement and general appearance
the interior ©f his store, ox 'presentment of his stock of goods, as the
French would say, is a perfect triumph of art, refined and in good taste.
Mr. Jones comes of an old family in this part of the State. He is a
grandson of an early settler of Montgomery county, the founder of
Jonesburg, James Jones, a sketch of whose life is given in the pres¬
ent volume, in the biographical department of the Montgomery
county division. Mr. Jones’ father, Thomas Jones, was in boyhood
when the family came to Missouri, and after he grew up was married
in Montgomery county to Miss Julia A. Camp, formerly of Kentucky.
He settled on a farm near Jonesburg, where he reared a family and
lived until his death, which occurred about two years ago. There
were eight children, three of whom are married and comfortably set¬
tled in life, worthy and respected members of society. William A.,
the subject of this sketch, was born on the family homestead, near
Jonesburg, November 5, 1847. He received a common-school edu¬
cation, and at the age of 19 came to Warrenton to learn the drug
business, where he has ever since resided. May 31, 1880, he was
married to Miss Ella A. Faulconer, a daughter of John H. Faulconer,
of this county. Mr. and Mrs. J. have three ehildren : Edna, May,
William Carl and Josie Mabel. Mr. Jones is a Democrat in politics,
and expects to vote the regular Democratic ticket through all the
coming years of his sublunary career or until senile ablepsia or the
blindess of old age overtakes him so that he can not read the title
clear on his ticket, and that will probably be along time, many years
after the Republican party, like all former antagonists of the Democ¬
racy, is dead and buried, for his grandmother, Mrs. Camp, is still
living, bright of mind, at the advanced age of 91, and unquestionably
longevity is hereditary.

MICHAEL KELLY

(Railroad Contractor, Post-office, Warrenton).

Mr. Kelly, a worthy and respected citizen of Truesdale, a suburb of
Warrenton, is a native of the Emerald Isle, born at Roscommon,
famed in song and story and legend and history as one of the most
interesting localities of the Ever Faithful Isle. Reared at his birth¬
place, at the age of 23 he came to America, believing that he could
more easily establish himself comfortably in life here than in his na¬
tive country, notwithstanding his fond affection for the motherland
that gave him birth. In the New World he located first at Cleve-
land, O., but came thence to Warrenton, Mo, in 1858. Here, or in

1100

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

the vicinity of this place, he has eversince resided. A life of industry
has rewarded him with a comfortable home and a neat, small farm.
He is engaged in buying and supplying ties, pile timber, etc., to the
Wabash Railway, and meets with good success in this line of busi¬
ness. In 1867 Mr. Kelly was married to Miss Eliza Doyle, and seven
children are the fruits of this union, aged from 14 to 3 years, namely:
Mary, James, Martin, Maggie, Nora, Eddie and Nellie. Mr. and Mrs.
Kelly are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Dem¬
ocrat, without any Ben Butler greenback nonsense about him.

THOMAS KEY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Warrenton).

The record of Mr. Key’s career is one of continued industry,
rewarded through steady progress with abundant success. Starting
out for himself with little or nothing to begin on but his own ability
and disposition to work, and good sound business judgment to manage
his affairs, by the exercise of these qualities he has accumulated a
large property, and is now one of the leading farmers and land-holders
of the community where he resides. His place contains about 1,300
acres, and his farm is one of the best and most valuable stock farms
in the county. Mr. Key is a native of England, born in Cornwall
March 18, 1825. Both his parents, Thomas Kee and wife, nee Mary
Cowlen, were of ancient English families. The father died there in
1853. His mother crossed the ocean in 1867 at the age of 74 years,
and lived just three months after she arrived at St. Louis. Both were
members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Key was reared in Cornwall,
and was the third of his parents’ family of five children. He received
a good ordinary education at the parish school of St. Irvin, in Corn¬
wall. In 1844, then 20 years of age, he immigrated to Canada, and
the following year to St. Louis, but shortly afterwards located at
Alton, Ill., where he was in the butcher business for 20 years. He
then removed to St. Louis, and after folio wins; the butcher business
there for three years he came to Warren county. Here he has since
made his home, and been engaged in farming and handling stock
with the result above indicated. August 23, 1849, Mr. Key was
married at Alton, Ill., to Miss Mary Browning, a daughter of John
and Jane (Welch) Browning, formerly of Somersetshire, England,
where Mrs. Key was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Key have
nine children, namely: Nicholas S., Mary A., Sarah J., Elizabeth,
Ellen M., Thomas F., Fannie, Alice C. and Chester S. The first
four are married and reside in Warren county. Mrs. Key is a member
of the Christian Church, and Mr. Key of the Episcopal Church. He
is also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.

HERMAN A. KOCH, A. M., M. D.

(President of the Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton).

Dr. H. A. Koch, for the last 20 years at the head of the above
named institution, and to whose able management of its affairs is pre-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1101

eminently due the credit for the unqualified success which it has
achieved, is by nativity and education of German antecedents, and is
a worthy representative of that large and better class of Germans
whose fortuues were cast with this country by the events of the Revo¬
lution of ’48 in their native country. He came of one of the better
untitled families of Prussia, a family of intelligence and culture and
high respectability, in well-to-do circumstances and of enlightened,
liberal views in regard to popular rights and responsibility of govern¬
ment to the people for impartial and just laws, and for the impartial
and just administration of the law. Fully sensible, therefore, of the
irresponsible tyranny and merciless oppression which characterized
the administration of affairs in that country prior to the revolution, it
is not surprising that this family, with thousands of others of their
class, became identified with the movement on the part of the body of
the people for a reform of government. The result of the revolution
is matter of history and needs no comment here. Hundreds and
thousands of the brightest men of Germany, men identified with the
revolution, and whose gallantry and patriotism have never been sur¬
passed, were compelled to expatriate themselves and seek new homes
in foreign lands. Many of them came to America ; such men as Carl
Schurz, Daniel Siegel, William Rosecrans, Arnold Krekel, and others
too numerous to admit of mention, have rendered services of the
highest value to their adopted country, and have become citizens of dis¬
tinguished consideration and usefulness. The sympathies of Dr. Koch,
then a young man preparing himself for the medical profession, and
who had recently completed an advanced and thorough course at
college, became warmly enlisted for the cause of the revolution, and
he, too, became an object of proscription and threatened government
prosecution. With others of his countrymen, therefore, he also came
to America. Thus broken off from his purpose to prepare himself
for the practice of medicine, in this country he engaged in teaching,
as being the most congenial employment in which he could at once
engage. He first taught a private school in St. Louis. A man of
naturally earnest and sincere character, with great reverence for
truth and justice, and believing in the divine order and government
of the world, he became warmly enlisted in the cause of religion. He
united himself with the M. E. Church, and soon decided to devote
himself to the ministry. Accordingly, after an exhaustive prepara¬
tory course of study, he was duly ordained a minister in that denomin¬
ation. In 1857 Rev. Koch was appointed principal of the German
department in the Methodist College at Quincy, Ill. There his
thorough scholarship, his zeal in the cause of education, and his
marked natural qualities for a successful teacher soon became
recognized, and his reputation as an educator rapidly advanced.
While his methods of instruction were warmly commended, he at
the same time evinced exceptional ability for school government
and successful management in the general affairs ot a school.
When, therefore, in 1864 a competent educator and teacher of
executive abilitv was needed at the head ot the Central Wesleyan
College in Warrenton, attention was at once drawn to him as best

1102

HISTORY OF AVARREN COUNTY.

suited for the position. Dr. Koch was employed to take charge
of the college, and such is the satisfaction he has given, such the
success and ability with which he has conducted the institution,
that he has long since come to be regarded as hardly less than in-
dispensable to its prosperity and usefulness. The college has made
steady advances in every favorable respect under his presidency, and
has since been brought to a position of enviable prominence and repu¬
tation among the better educational institutions of the State. His
interest in the college is almost that of a father for a favorite daughter.

Feeling, and justly feeling, that his oavii reputation is invoh'ed in the
good name and reputation of his school, he cares for it and strives for
its progress and prosperity with more than ordinary solicitude and
zeal. While the Central Wesleyan is a denominational institution,
there is no bigotry or intolerance in its management. The young of
all denominations are admitted within its Avails, and the religious
preferences of none, if they are honest and sincere Christians, are in¬
terfered Avith. It is to this broad and enlightened policy that is due,
in no unimportant measure, the excellent success the college has
achieved. The personal biography of Dr. Koch is brief. He was
born in Sommerfield, Prussia, September 4, 1828. His parents were
Adolph Koch and wife, nee Katrina Koehler. His father wTas a suc¬
cessful merchant, a man of good education and of marked intelli¬
gence. Having lost his first Avife, Mr. Koch (the father) was married
the second time, but there Avere no children by his last union. By

his first Avife there Avere three children besides Dr. Koch, namely :

7 %/

Antonie, Ahvin and Emil. But neither of the three came to America.
Dr. Koch was educated at Guben College, Avhere he graduated in 1845.
He was then engaged in the study of medicine until the outbreak of
the Revolution of ’48. His subsequent career is outlined above. In
1854 he Avas married to Miss Elizabeth Weile, a young lady of Bur¬
lington, la., whose parents were originally from Germany. She died
in 1861, leaving him three children : EdAvard P., John W. and Lizzie.
Dr. Koch’s present wife prior to her marriage was a Miss Mary
Rivinius, of Blandinville, Ill. They also have three children : Mary,
Ella and Carrie. Dr. Koch’s eldest son, Edward, is a practicing
physician of Pekin, Ill. His other son is engaged in farming in this
county. Elizabeth, his eldest daughter, is the wife of Louis Slitt, of
South Pueblo, Col.

JOHN H. KOELLING

(Clerk of the County Court of Warren County, Warrenton).

It is the boast of Republican institutions, and particularly those of
America, that people of every country and nationality, provided they
are people with native honesty and Avith a just appreciation of civil
liberty and human rights, may readily adapt themselves to the duties
and responsibility of citizenship under such a government, it matters
not what may be their preconceived ideas or notions, or what may
have been their former political habits of life. So in this country we

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1103

see people from England, Germany and all the nationalities mingling
together and forming one homeogeneous people under a single gov¬
ernment, and all fulfilling their duties in harmony, with patriotism
and in perfect good faith. Where the rights of all are protected and
all are equal before the law, there is never just cause for discontent
or civil discords, so far as the affairs of government are concerned.
Under such institutions unquestionably the intelligence and energies
of men may reach their highest development — progress is the most
assured and the most rapid. Among the intelligent families who
came to this country nearly half a century ago was that of which the
subject of the present sketch is a representative. His parents, Ernst
and Anna E. (Assum) Koelling, came to the United States from
Holland in 1843, landing at New Orleans. From there they pro¬
ceeded by boat up the Mississippi to St. Louis. The father was a
sugar refiner by trade, a man of intelligence, sterling good character
and a good manager in providing for his family and accumulating the
substantial rewards of honest industry. He left Holland with a
nucleu^of means to begin life with in the New World. But no one
can tell when fortune is to smile or frown. On their way up the
Mississippi their boat took fire in the night time and was completely
destroyed, the Koelling family with others barely escaping with their
lives. They took passage on another boat, but this, too, met with a
misfortune, being grounded on a sand-bar. Thus they were left sev¬
eral hundred miles from the point of their destination penniless and
among strangers, unable even to speak the language of the country.
Mr. and Mrs. Koelling (John H.’s parents) proceeded on their
journey on foot, and having several small children, they experienced
many hardships and privations while on the trip, being out about six
weeks, late in the fall, through all the changes and severities of
weather. But at last arrived in St. Louis, thev were kindlv cared for,
particularly by their German friends, and above all by a good family
from Holland of the name of Rutger. Mr. Koelling (Sr.) readily
obtained employment in a sugar refinery in St. Louis, and soon had
his family comfortably situated. Through industry and economy, in
about eight or nine vears he was able to buv a good farm in Lincoln
county, to which he removed in 1852. There he made his permanent
home and became one of the substantial farmers and respectable citi¬
zens of the county. He died in 1878. There were nine children in
his family, but only three lived to reach mature years : Henrietta,
who died the wife of H. K. Schaefer ; Sarah, now the wife of Henry
Gerkin, of Wright City, and John H., the subject of this sketch.
John H. Koelling was born at St. Louis, November 26, 1844. Prin¬
cipally reared in the country, however, his youth was spent at farm
work and in attending the neighborhood schools. On the 20th of No¬
vember, 1867, he was married to Miss Catherine Gerkin, a daughter
of Peter Gerkin, of Lincoln county. About the time of his marriage
Mr. Koelling engaged in merchandising at Wright City, which he con¬
tinued with success until he assumed charge of his present office in
January, 1883, having been elected the fall previous. After his elec-

1104

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

tion he removed to Warrenton, and has ever since resided at this
place. Mr. Koelling has given his whole time and attention to the
duties of his office and has made a very efficient and popular officer.
His official record thus far has met with general approval. During
the war Mr. K. served about one year in the Union army under Capt.
John E. Ball, Forty-ninth Missouri, commanded by Col. Dyer. He
was out until the close of the war, and, among numerous engage¬
ments, participated in the capture of Mobile, where he was wounded
by the explosion of a shell. Mr. Koelling is an ardent Republican in
politics — he votes as he shot — though he is not an intolerant par¬
tisan, and concedes to every man the right he claims, to think and
speak as he pleases in political matters so long as he acts the part of a
gentleman and avoids giving just cause of offense. Mr. and Mrs'.
Koelling have seven children : Lydia, Edward, Laura, Ida, Albert,
Sarah and Annie, all at home with their parents. Mrs. K. is a mem¬
ber of the M. E. Church.

WILLIAM LENZE •

(Merchant Tailor and City Treasurer, Warrenton).

That there is a great diversity of roads to success in life, if prop¬
erly followed, is illustrated by the examples of successful men in the
different pursuits in almost every town and village in the country.
Mr. Lenze early committed himself to tailoring as his regular calling,
and he has followed it with commendable perseverance and industry,
and has managed his affairs with marked intelligence and success.
Believing in the adage that “ if the workman keeps his shop his shop
will keep him,” he has adhered to it strictly and has proved its truth
by his own successful experience. He is now quite extensively en¬
gaged in the merchant tailoring business and has accumulated a good
property. He owns his own business house, or rather is now build¬
ing a store house and dwelling, a building that will be a credit to the
town. True to the old German custom, when the foundation was
completed he gave a hausfest , inviting all his friends, who were enter¬
tained with speeches, alternated with good music by the local brass
band, and all accompanied with a free and generous flow of wine and
beer, which were supplemented with an abundance of the substantial.
A general good time was had and all went merry as a marriage bell.
When the house is completed a hausuctormig , or house-warming,
will be given, which will exceed in numbers and doubtless in every
other respect the former occasion. Mr. Lenze was for several years a
member of the city council, and he is now city treasurer. He was
born in Westphalia, Prussia, February 22, 1847, and was one of twin
brothers, children of Peter and Frances (Biermarch) Lenze. There
were five other children in the family. William, the subject of this
sketch, and Joseph came to America in 1867. The former had already
learned the tailor’s trade, and he did journey work in St. Louis until
1873 when he started in business for himself in Warrenton. August
27, 1874, he was married to Miss Christiana Wessel, a daughter of

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1105

Christopher and Friedericka Wessel, of Warren county, but formerly
of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Lenze have one son, Paul, now 9 years
of age.

BUCKLEY L1VSEY

(Clerk of the Circuit Court of Warren county, Warrenton).

Among the old and highly respected citizens of Warren county, and
one of its most popular public officials, as all know who know any¬
thing about the county, is the subject of the present sketch. In 1872
Mr. Livsey was elected sheriff of the county. Two years later he was
elected to the office of circuit clerk, and at each subsequent election
for that office he has been regularly re-elected. His official record, as
these facts show, has met the unqualified indorsement of the people, and
personally he is highly esteemed and more than ordinarily popular.
His career in the public service is another proof of the fact that as a
rule the people generally encourage official faithful conduct by their
continued support at the polls. He has been a resident of the county
for nearly 40 years, or ever since he was a young man. By nativity
he is of English nationality, born at Manchester, November 8, 1826.
His father, a popular salesman for a large manufacturing house, died
when Buckley was about 14 years of age. Up to that time young
Livsey had had excellent school advantages, but by this misfortune he
was compelled to quit school and go to work in order to help care for
his mother and the family of children. There were four others be-
sides Buckley. Their mother’s maiden name was Judith Carpenter.
Buckley Livsey grew up at Manchester and when 21 years of age
came to America. Landing at New Orleans, he came thence to St.
Louis, and in a short time to Pitzer’s Landing. Mr. Livsey located
at Price’s Branch, where he assisted in building a mill for Joseph
Woollam. He had also married the year before he left England, hi-
wife having been a Miss Mary A. Lunt, a daughter of Henry Lunt, of
Manchester. He worked in the milling business under Mr. Wood-
lam for about 18 months. The year after this he followed farm¬
ing, but soon came to Warrenton. Mr. Livsey has been a resident
of Warrenton almost continuously ever since that time. For
several years he ran the mill at this place, and in 1861 was ap¬
pointed depot agent at Warrenton. He occupied that position
continuously until his election to the office of sheriff in 1872. His
career since then has already been outlined. His first wife died in
1874, leaving him three children, namely: Bettie and Jennie, who
are successful milliners, and part proprietors of a notion store in
the city of New Orleans, La., and William, who is his father’s
deputy in the circuit clerk’s office. Mr. Livsey’s present wife was
a Mrs. Louisa Chamberlain before her marriage. They have two
children, Joseph P. and Ella M. Mr. L. and wife are members of
the M. E. Church. Politically, Mr. Livsey is a Democrat, and the
fact that he is such and has been repeatedly elected to office in
Warren county, which is largely Republican, speaks in no uncertain

1106

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

language of his personal popularity. It more than justifies what has
been said of him in this respect in the present sketch.

THOMAS J. McNAIR, M. D.

(Retired Physician and Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Pendleton).

Every one of intelligence and fair observation must admit that
there is something in family characteristics — that, ordinarily, men¬
tal attributes are transmitted from generation to generation hardly
less, if, indeed, not more than physical castes or peculiarities. It
is this fact that explains largely why certain families through gen¬
erations continue to occupy positions of almost uniform prominence
and respectability, both socially and in point of success in material
affairs. That the fruit may be judged by the tree is true with as few
exceptions as the old proverb itself, that “the tree may be judged
by its fruit.” Of course there are occasional exceptions to this, as
there is now and then a black sheep in every family. Exceptions,
however, do not disprove the rule, but rather verify it. Glancing
over the family antecedents of Dr. McNair, it is not otherwise
than as should justly be expected that as a citizen and member of
the community, he occupies a position of enviable consideration.
He comes of good families, both on his father’s side and his moth¬
er’s. He is of sturdy Scotch-Irish ancestry, and in this country both
of the families, the McNairs and Williamsons, have been from their
first settlement here people of marked intelligence and unquestioned
respectability. Dr. McNair’s father, Moses McNair, was of a worthy
Scotch family that settled in Pennsylvania in an early day, and was
born in Dauphin county, of that State, in 1779. His (Moses
McNair’s) mother, whose maiden name was Wallace, was a sister of
Hon. Moses Wallace, a member of the first Congress under the pres¬
ent constitution. Moses McNair, after he grew up, married Miss
Martha Williamson, of Philadelphia, born in 1783. She was a
dauo^her of Col. George Williamson, who came over from Ireland
prior to the Revolution and served in the Colonial army throughout
the war. He enlisted as a private and for gallantry and meritorious
services was repeatedly promoted until he reached the rank of
colonel, which he held at the close of the war. In about 1811
Moses McNair and wife removed to Ohio and settled in Greene
county. Shortly after this the second war with Great Britain broke
out and he entered the army and served in the North-west. He be¬
came adjutant-general under Gen. Harrison and served until the close
of the war. After the war he improved a large farm near Dayton,
Ohio, and also became a leading distiller and vintager, being one of
the leading manufacturers of liquors and wines in the State. He
died October 20, 1824 ; his wife died February 1, 1868, at a ven¬
erable old age. They reared a family of four children, two of
whom, besides the Doctor, are living: Edith, now the widow of
Thomas Webster, of St. Louis ; and Margaret, also a widow lady, late
the wife of Capt. James McCord (deceased), of St. Louis. The other,

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1107

Annie, became the wife of George Moser, a prominent stockman of
Ohio, but has been dead for a number of years. Dr. McNair was the
eldest of the children ; he was educated for the legal profession and
took a course at the Granville Institute and subsequently studied un¬
der a private tutor, Rev. Dr. Bryson. The instructions this good
man gave him were of great advantage to him in an educational
point, and as an immovable brace to his moral character, but it had
the effect to destroy his future in the legal profession. The good
minister taught him that even an untruth now and then was greatly
to be reprobated, but that to make a profession of lying would
never do in the world. Dr. McNair, however, at first thought that
his pious-hearted tutor had drawn it a little too strong, and there¬
fore still persevered in his purpose of becoming a lawyer. He taught
school for two years and in the meantime read law under the noted
Tom Corwin, of Ohio. But the nearer he approached the duties of
the legal profession, the plainer he could see that the ways of the
lawyer are dark and devious. In other words, he became convinced
that, as the victim who enters Dante’s Inferno leaves all hope be¬
hind, so he who enters the legal profession, if he expects to suc¬
ceed, must leave all common honesty behind. He therefore gave up
the pursuit of law and turned his attentions to the physical
troubles of his fellow-creatures — to the medical profession. He
read medicine under his uncle, by marriage, Dr. Robert E. Stephens,
and in due time took a regular course at the Cincinnati Medical
College, where he graduated in 1839. In 1840 Dr. McNair came to
St. Louis and there engaged in the practice of his profession. He
continued in the practice at St. Louis for over 30 years, and almost
from the beginning had a large and lucrative practice. In 1871 he
retired from the practice and located on his present farm, Grove-
land, in Warren county. Here he has a handsome place of 1,100
acres, one of the best grain and stock farms in the county. In 1855,
September 19, Dr. McNair was married to Miss Darcus Adams, who
was reared and educated in St. Louis. She survived her marriao'e

but little more than two years, leaving him a son, Thomas Bruce,
who now has charge of the farm in this county. In 1845 Dr. McNair
founded the St. Louis Magnet , a monthly journal devoted to the in¬
terests of electrical science, in which he is thoroughlv versed. The
Magnet was first to advance many of the principles and doctrines of
electricity as applied to the healing art, which are now known and
received as indisputable the world over. The Magnet office was de¬
stroyed by fire in 1849, being a total loss, and the publication of the
paper was not revived.

HENRY H. MIDDELKAMP, M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, and President of the State Medical Society, Warrenton).

Among physicians throughout the State Dr. Middelkamp is well
known and recognized as one of the ablest and most prominent mem¬
bers of their profession. Such is his standing in the medical pro-

1108

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

fession, indeed, that at a meeting of the State Medical College in
Sedalia, Mo., in May, 1884, he was honored with the election to the
presidency of the society, a position he stiil holds. He has made
medicine and its kindred sciences his life study, and while making
himself thoroughly conversant with the principles and theories involved
in his profsssion, he has at the same time, or since his graduation
from medical college over 20 years ago, been an active, extensive and
closely observant practitioner. Thus thoroughly devoted to his pro¬
fession and gifted with a mind eminently fitted by nature for this field
of investigation and activity, he has, as would naturally be expected,
made himself a more than ordinarily successful and scientific physician.
Almost from the beginning of his practice in this county he has had a
large clientele in his profession — in late years the largest practice be¬
yond question in the county. Dr. Middelkamp has ever taken an
active interest in the general affairs of his profession, of its welfare
and advancement. In the work of its societies he has been one of
the more active and prominent physicians in this part of the State.
At his instance, and mainly through his exertions, the Linton Medi¬
cal Society was formed. Indeed, the honor is due him of being the
founder of the society. Dr. Middelkamp was born and reared in
Warren countv and has spent his whole life thus far within its borders.
H is parents, John H. and Margaret A. (Schlueter) Middelkamp, were
both originally from Germany, but came to this country when young
and was married here. His father, John H., was from Hanover,
and came to America in 1835. He was married to Miss Schlueter
several years afterwards. In about 1837, after working at Pittsburg
and other points, he came to Warren county and bought a small
tract of timbered land, about four miles east of Warrenton. Here
he built a log cabin and opened a small farm. Being a man of in¬
dustry and intelligence, economical and a good manager, he prospered
abundantly and became one of the substantial farmers and well-to-do
citizens of the county. He accumulated an ample competence for
himself and family. He died at his homestead near Warrenton, in
1866, well known and highly respected. His widow is still living on
the old homestead. They reared a family of eight children, the
names of whom appear in the sketch of John H. Middelkamp, Jr.
Dr. Middelkamp was born on the homestead near Warrenton, January
27, 1839. His youth was spent on the farm and he received a
somewhat advanced education, both in English and German, prin¬
cipally by private instruction and self-application to his studies.
In 1861, having decided to become a physician, he began a course
of study with that object in view under Dr. John E. Hutton, then
practicing at Warrenton. In due time he entered the St. Louis
Medical College where, after a regular course of two terms, he
graduated in 1864. Immediately after his graduation Dr. Middel¬
kamp entered actively into the practice of his profession at Warren¬
ton. He was first in the practice with Dr. Hutton and, after the
latter’s removal to Mexico, Mo., he continued to practice alone in
which, up to the present time, he has been continuously engaged.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1109

Dr. Middelkamp has been quite successful in his practice, both in the
treatment of cases and in a material point of view. He has accumu¬
lated a comfortable property. He has just completed a handsome two-
story residence, which he now occupies, a dwelling that is a credit
to Warrenton. September 11, 1864, Dr. Middelkamp was married
to Miss Ellen Smith, a daughter of George F. Smith, of St. Louis,
but formerly of Cincinnati. The Dr. and Mrs. Middelkamp have
five children ; Willie A., Edwin G., Marion S., Kate E. and H. Her¬
bert. Dr. Middelkamp has always taken a public-spirited interest
in the cause of education, and has been actively identified with the
school interests of Warren county. He was elected superintendent
of the public schools of this county in November, 1870, and served
two years, and was one of the curators of the State University at
Columbia, in 1878-79. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian
Church. The Doctor occupies all, or nearly all, of his leisure time
from the active duties of his practice with study and investigation in
the line of his profession. He has accumulated a handsome library
of medical works, both in English and German, in which much of
his time is spent with pleasure and profit. The Doctor has quite a
reputation as a lecturer and an extemporaneous speaker, for he is
often called out to speak at public meetings.

JOHN H. MIDDELKAMP

(Treasurer of Warren county, Warrenton).

Mr. Middelkamp is a brother to Dr. Middelkamp whose sketch
proceeds this, and was born on the old homestead of the family near
Warrenton, March 22, 1841. He was the second in the family of
eight children, Dr. Middlekamp being the eldest. The others were
William, Annie, now Mrs. Kemper; Mary, the wife of Mr. Kopple-
man of St. Louis; Herman, Maggie, now Mrs. Strack; Carrie, and
two others who died in tender years. John H., the subject of this
sketch, was reared on his father’s farm and continued at farming un¬
til 1866 when he and his brother, William, formed a partnership in
the hardware business, and established a store at Warrenton. Their
business venture proved a successful one. Commencing with a small
capital their business steadily increased from the beginning until they
had one of the leading houses in their line in the county — indeed,
the leading house. They made it their motto from the first to deal
fairly with every one and to sell at the lowest possible figures, consis¬
tent with sound business management. Always accommodating and
obliging to their customers, and never intentionallv deceiving them in the
quality of their goods, their house soon attained an enviable and es¬
tablished reputation for reliability. The trade of the Messrs. Middel¬
kamp & Bro., has steadily increased from year to year and theirs has
become one of the prominent and successful business firms of the
county. They have each accumulated a comfortable property and
are regarded as among the more substantial and highly respected
citizens of the county. They carry a large stock of shelf and heavy

1110

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

hardware and also a complete stock of farm machinery and household
furniture. Their average stock runs from $5,000 to $18,000, and
their trade is proportionally large. They own the large business
house which they occupy and also the Warren County Bank building,
one of the best houses in Warren ton. February 14, 1869, Mr. Mid-
delkamp was married to Miss Malina Strack, a daughter of the
Rev. Strack. She survived her marriage, however, only about
four years, leaving him at her death a son, Charles. To his present
wife Mr. Middelkamp was married December 27, 1876. She was a
Miss Mary Gardemann, a daughter of H. H. Gardemann of this
county. They have one son, George. In 1876 Mr. Middelkamp was
elected to the office of treasurer of the county, and four years after
wards he was re-elected, his present term to expire in December
following. He and wife are members of the German Evangelical

Cj O

Church.

WILLIAM H. MORSEY

(Attorney at Law, and Prosecuting Attorney of Warren County, Warrenton).

For ten years continuously Mr. Morsey has occupied the position he
now holds, that of prosecuting attorney of the county by consecutive
biennial elections. This fact speaks more for his standing as a lawyer
and popularity as a man, where he was born and reared and is best
known, than anything that could be said here. It is a well known
fact that he occupies a position of enviable prominence not only at
the bar in this county, but throughout the circuit in which he prac¬
tices. He is a member of Peers & Morsey, the leading law firm of
Warren county, and one of the leading firms in this part of the State.
Mr. Morsey has been a close and hard student of the law and has
thoroughly grounded himself in the great principles of civil and crim¬
inal jurisprudence, as laid down in the books of text-writers and de¬
clared by the higher courts. A young man of strong native ability,
well educated and a popular, effective speaker, industrious in his
practice and faithful to his clients, he could hardly have failed of at¬
taining to enviable prominence at the bar. The firm of Peers &
Morsey has a large and lucrative practice not only in Warren but in
adjoining counties. Mr. Morsey was born in this county November
21, 1850. He was of German parentage, a son of Col. Frederick
Morsey, a native of Hanover, but who came to this country in 1833,
and subsequently became a prominent lawyer of this county. Col.
Morsey first resided in Philadelphia for a short time and then came
to St. Louis. From the latter city he removed to Franklin county,
where he served in the office of county surveyor. He became a resi¬
dent of Warren county in 1854 and also served in the office of county
surveyor in this county. He was quite successfully interested in
farming and later along was admitted to the bar and became a popu¬
lar attorney of the county. During the war he promptly identified
himself with the cause of the Union and organized a regiment for the
service. He commanded the Tenth Missouri cavalry, which was dis-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1111

tinguished for its superior drill and discipline, and its conspicuous
gallantry on more than one hard fought field during that long and ter¬
rible struggle. A worthy sketch of his life and services appears in
the “Bench and Bar” for this State, a work recently published.
His wife was a Miss Minnie Bock, a daughter of Mr. Bock, with
whom Col. Morsey came across to this country from Holland when a
young man. They reared a family of four children : George W., an
engineer of Moberly ; William L., the subject of this sketch ; Thomas
M., the partner of S. B. Cook, in the Warrenton Banner ; and Helen,
the wife of Mr. HefFern. William L. Morsev was educated in the
high school at Warrenton, and also attended the Central Wesle)7an
College. He read law under his father, Col. Morsey, and in 1870
was admitted to the bar under Judge Gilchrist Porter. Immediately
after his admission he engaged actively in the practice of his pro¬
fession and soon attained a recognized position at the bar. In 1874,
such was his standing as a lawyer and his personal popularity that
he was nominated for the office of county attorney by the Republi¬
cans at the November election and duly elected to that office. Mr.
Morsey has made an able and successful prosecutor, and has given
general satisfaction in office as his repeated re-elections show. In
1879 he was married to Miss Laura Pulliam, a refined and accomplished
daughter of Judge John A. Pulliam, deceased, late of Warrenton.

Mr. and Mrs. Morsev have two children : Frederick W. and Chase.

Mr. Morsey has always taken quite an active interest in politics and
is recognized as one of the leading men of his party in this county.
In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Convention which nominated
Hayes for the Presidency.

CAPT. E. F. ORDELHEIDE

(Sheriff of Warren County, Warrenton, Mo.).

Capt. Ordelheide was a gallant soldier in the Union army during
the war, and during the latter part of it commanded a company of
militia in this State. He enlisted in 1861 in the volunteer U. S. ser¬
vice, becoming a member of the Eighth Indiana. Subsequently he
served in Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas, and later along, still, became
captain of Co. E, of the Missouri State militia, under Col. Morsey.
Capt. Ordelheide is a German by nativity, and came to this country
when quite a young man, in 1858. He was born in Brockhagen,
Prussia, in 1840, and was a son of Franz Ordelheide and wife, nee
Mena Harstronberg, both old families. They reared eight children,
seven of whom are living. Henry, Herman and Charlotta are the
only ones besides E. F. who came to America. Henry died in this
county in 1864, Herman being a resident of Lincoln county, and
Charlotta, now Mrs. William Kamp, being a resident of this county.
Capt. Ordelheide came to America when about 18 years of age. Soon
afterwards, the war breaking out, he enlisted in the army, in which
he served until the close of the war. In 1866 he was appointed
postmaster at Pitts, in Warren county, in which position he served

1112

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

for two years. He was also engaged in merchandising during that
time. In 1869 he removed to Wright City, where he continued mer¬
chandising. While at Wright City he was elected to the office of
justice of the peace, and filled that position with credit to himself and
to the public. In 1882 he was nominated for the office of sheriff and
collector of the county by the Republican party, of which he is and
has Ions: been an earnest and faithful member. Notwithstanding the
office had been in control of the Democrats for the preceding eight
years, such was his personal popularity and his high standing in the
county that he was triumphantly elected. He is now serving his first
term in office, and it is but the truth to sav that he is one of the most
popular sheriffs the county ever had. Mr. and Mrs. Ordelheide have
five children : Emma, Rosa, Edward, Julius and Frank. They are
members of the Lutheran Evangelical Church.

HON. CHARLES E. PEERS

(Attorney at Law, Warrenton).

Among the self-made, prominent men of Missouri, the subject of
the present sketch occupies a conspicuous and honorable position.
Few men in the State have been more active or influential in public
affairs in recent years than he. Though still comparatively a young
man, twice he has been the recipient of the distinguished honor of be¬
ing called to preside over the deliberations of his party at its State
convention, a position he tl lied each time with such dignity and ability
as to attract general attention, and favorable comment all over the
State. Other positions of hardly less prominence and distinction he
has repeatedly filled in a manner entirely worthy of the enviable repu¬
tation he bears as one of the leading public men of the State. Mr.
Peers is now a popular candidate before his party for the nomination
to represent his district in Congress, and has attracted a large follow¬
ing who are thoroughly devoted to him in his present contest, as they
would be in any other. It is confidently believed by many who are
impartial observers of the present race in the seventh district that if
a true, unbiased test of the party’s choice could be had, he would un¬
questionably be selected as the nominee. The convention, before
which he was a candidate, recently adjourned after taking 589 ballots
without effecting a nomination. A new convention has been called, but
what will be its result remains for the future to develop. Mr. Peers
is a lawyer by profession, and has been actively engaged in the prac¬
tice for nearly twenty years, or since his admission to the bar in 1867.
To any one in the least acquainted with the judical affairs of the State,
and particularly with the history of the bar in the third and nineteenth
circuits, it is unnecessary to speak of his standing and eminent suc¬
cess as a lawyer. To all such he is well known as one of the leading
attorneys, if not the foremost lawyer of the circuit. But as the bio¬
graphical part of this work is intended to preserve a record of the lives
and careers of the men of whom it speaks, it is not improper to state
here that almost from the beginning of his practice he has held a posi-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1113

tion second to that of but few, if anv, members of the bar, however
old and experienced in the practice with whom he has been associated.
Within a year after he was admitted, such was the favorable impres¬
sion he had made, and the high estimate that was placed on his ability
and attainments, that he was elevated to the important office of circuit
attorney of the third circuit, which then included the counties of St.
Charles, Warren, Pike, Lincoln, Audrain and Montgomery. This
office was then an object worthy of the ambition of any good lawyer,
and was much sought after by prominent attorneys in the different
counties. His selection was, therefore, a compliment of no ordinary
significance, but one which the ability he displayed in the discharge of
his official duties showed was not undeserved. In 1872, Mr. Peers,
though a Democrat in a Republican county, was elected to represent
his county in the State Legislature. His conceded ability for the po¬
sition, and his great personal popularity, were the controlling influence
which brought about his triumphant election. In the Legislature he
gave the county a standing and influence it had not had for years be¬
fore. On all sides he was recognized as one of the leading men of his
party in that body. By the Speaker of the House he was honored
with the chairmanship of the committee on criminal jurisprudence,
one of the first committees of the House. While in the Legislature,
aside from other valuable services he rendered the State and his county,
he did a great deal to harmonize the discordant enactment then found
in our criminal code, and to make it more systematic and consistent
in all its parts. In 1876 Mr. Peers was a presidential elector for this
State on the Democratic ticket, and made a brilliant canvass of his
district for his party. Two years later he was made chairman of the
Democratic State Convention, and in 1880 he was a prominent can¬
didate before the State Convention for Lieutenant-Governor, coming
within a few votes of defeating Gov. Campbell for the nomination.
Indeed, it is a part of the inside history of the politics of the State
that he was only defeated for the nomination by a trade between other
candidates more successful than holv. Over the last State Conven-
tion of his party, which was held at St. Louis in June of the past
year, he was called to preside as its permanent chairman. Since then
he has been actively engaged in his canvass for Congress. It has been
said that Mr. Peers is a self-made man. How true this is may be in¬
ferred from the fact that as stated in the “ United States Biographi¬
cal Dictionary ” (Mo. Yol.), he was at work as a farm hand on
monthly wages during the time he read law, availing himself of all
his leisure from work to study for the bar. Certainly this is a record
of which any man may feel a just and pardonable pride. Success in
life when worthily achieved is always creditable, but when it is
achieved from the most unfavorable of early circumstances, it is
worthy of the highest credit. Though poor when a young man, and
without family influence to look to for advancment, Mr. Peers comes
of an old and highly respected family, one that has always occupied a
position of marked consideration wherever settled. On his father’s
side he is of Scotch descent, the family having come originally from

1114

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

the land of Bruce and Wallace, and Scott and Burns. The branch of
it to which he belongs removed first to the North of Ireland, und
thence came to America, locating in Virginia. His grandfather was
Maj. Valentine I. Peers, a gallant officer under Washington during
the Revolution, and who commanded a brigade at the battle of Brandv-
wine. His father, Edward J. Peers, was an officer in the Mexican
War, the major of the regiment. Maj. Peers, Sr., removed from
Loudon county, Va., in an early day, and settled with his family at
Bowling Green, Kentucky. There Maj. Edward Peers was reared.
The family are believed to have brought the first family carriage and
the first piano to Kentucky ever seen in that State. Maj. Edward
Peers was married at Bowling Green, Ky., to Miss Cynthia Reynolds,
and some years afterwards removed to Missouri. Here he was ap¬
pointed military commander of the whole district of country north of
Missouri, a position he held until the outbreak of the Mexican War.
He then entered the army as major of a regiment, and served until
the close of the war. He died in Troy, Lincoln county, in 1862, one
of the highly respected citizens of the county. Charles E. was born
at Troy, Mo., May 2, 1844, and was principally reared an orphan boy.
His school advantages for an education were practically nil, having to
employ all his time at work. His entire attendance at school would
not aggregate as much as two half year terms. But of a bright, quick
mind, and of industrious studious habits, ambitious and determined
to rise in the world, he gave all his leisure time to books. After
awhile he learned the printer’s trade, and that afforded him an excel¬
lent opportunity to improve himself. All in all he succeeded in at¬
taining a fair general English education, far better and more substan¬
tial than the smattering apologies which many young men bring away
with them from college.

In the newspaper office he also acquired the habit of composing and
writing articles on the various political and other questions of the day
with grace and rapidity, and became remarked by all acquainted with
him for his force and ability as a writer. Finally directing his atten¬
tion to the profession of the law, he has ever since devoted the best
energies of his life to that calling, and with what success we have seen.
Mr. Peers is a man of family ; he was married in 1866 to Miss May C.
Humphreys, of Warren county, a lady of marked intelligence and re¬
finement, a daughter of the late John Humphreys, of this county, but
originally of Brooklyn, N. Y. They have two children: Frank C.
and Porter. Mr. Peers is one of the prominent Masons of the State,
and in all respects is a man and citizen of honorable standing and con¬
sideration.

ERNST SCHOWENGERDT

(Retired Farmer, and Dealer in General Merchandise, Warrenton).

A life devoted to honest industry in any worthy pursuit, and true
to all the duties and responsibilities of one’s situation and surround¬
ings may truly be said to have been well spent. And in this country,
without some unusual misfortune, such a life can hardly fail of being

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1115

productive of substantial results. Such has been the life, thus far,
of the subject of the present sketch. Nor has he been disappointed
in the just expectations which he had every reason to entertain, that
his long years of industry, directed by good business intelligence and
accompanied with steady habits of frugality and economy, would result
in an ample competence for his later years and for the comfortable
provision of his family. Mr. Schowengerdt was left an orphan by the
death of his father, while yet a mere boy, and afterwards had not only
his own way to make in the world, but assisted in caring for his mother’s
family. Up to middle age he was engaged in farming, and was
remarked for being one of the most energetic, industrious and suc¬
cessful farmers in his vicinity. In this industry he accumulated a
good property, a large, comfortable homestead, and other valuable
lands. His place was in the vicinity of Charrette creek, in Warren
county. In 1868 he removed to Warrenton, and engaged in merchan¬
dising. Since then he has been in business continuously at this place.
For years Mr. Schowengerdt has been recognized as one of the lead¬
ing business men of the county. He carries an excellent stock of
goods, and does a lucrative and extensive trade. Mr. Schowengerdt
is one of the substantial property holders of the county, a man in
easy circumstances, and a large tax payer. Like many of the better
citizens of Warren county, and of the entire country, for that matter,
he is a German by nativity, born near Minster, Prussia, March 15,
1824. His father died near Minster when Ernst was only about five
years of age. There were five children in the family, and in 1837,
the mother, with her children, immigrated to America and settled near
Marthasville, in Warren county, where the children grew to mature
years. Ernst Schowengerdt was married in 1844, to Miss Eliza Huck
ride, a daughter of Mr. Huckride, also formerly of Germany. Mr.
Schowengerdt settled on Charrette creek, where he subsequently fol¬
lowed farming about 25 years. He then removed to Warrenton and
engaged in merchandising. He and his excellent wife have reared a
family of four children : John W., Mary J., now Mrs. John Middel-
kamp ; Caroline, the wife of Henry Kamp ; and Franklin, who is still
with his parents.

JAMES W. SHELTON

(Farmer, Post-office, Warrenton).

For over 40 years Mr. Shelton has been a resident of Warren
county and one of its thorough-going farmers and worthy citizens.
Nor has his long residence and constant industry as a farmer and citi¬
zen been without substantial results. He is comfortably situated in
life, having a large, well improved farm which is well stocked, a com¬
fortable home and an abundance of everything around him to render
his circumstances satisfactory and agreeable. Mr. Shelton’s farm
contains nearly 300 acres, or rather his tract of land contains that
number, more than two-thirds of which is under fence and otherwise
improved. Mr. Shelton is a native of Virginia, and a son of Robert

1116

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

H. Shelton and wife, nee Martha Denison, the parents of each of whom
were originally from Maryland. Mr. Shelton was born in Pittsyl¬
vania county, Va., November 16, 1819. His father was of the
same county, but his mother was of Halifax count}7. They had a
family of five children, the others, besides the subject of this sketch,
being Nancy E. (deceased), William (deceased), T. S. and Matilda
(deceased). In 1837 the family came to Missouri and located in
St. Charles county, but settled in Warren county three years after¬
wards. The father, who had been a gallant soldier in the War of
1812, became a well-to-do farmer of Warren county, and died here
July 17, 1873, at the advanced age of 81. The mother died in 1878
aged 78. James W. Shelton, the third in his parents’ family of chil¬
dren, was 18 years of age when he came out to Missouri with the family.
After coming to this State he remained in St. Charles county until
1840. Since then he has been a continuous resident of Warren
countv. February 19, 1846, he was married to Miss Sarah McClure,
a daughter of Benonah and Elizabeth (Hoffman) McClure. Mr. and
Mrs. Shelton have had nine children, but two of whom, however, are
living: Levy and W. Albert, the former of whom married Miss Ida
T. Yocum and is now a resident of Lafayette county, and the latter
married Miss Sarah Key and resides on the farm with his father. Mrs.
Shelton died on the 5th of May, 1858, and Mr. S. has never re-mar¬
ried. He is a worthy member of the A. F. and A. M.

COL. CLAY TAYLOR

(Retired Farmer, Post-office, Pendleton).

Col. Taylor, himself a prominent citizen of Northern Missouri and
well and favorably known among the prominent men throughout the
State, is a representative of two leading families of the country, the
record of whom forms a part, and not an unimportant part of the
history of the country — the Taylors and Clays. Both of these
families, as every one of ordinary general information knows, came
originally from Virginia. Col. Taylor’s grandfather was Gen. James
Taylor, one of the distinguished men of the Old Dominiou ; and his
father was Col. Nathaniel P. Taylor, from Orange couny, Va., after¬
wards a gallant officer in the War of 1812 from Kentucky, and United
States Register of Lands at St. Louis. He early came out to Ken¬
tucky from Virginia, and was afterwards married there to Miss
Eleanor Hart Clay, a daughter of Rev. Porter Clay, a pioneer settler
of Kentucky and an able minister who did missionary work in the
West, and is believed to have preached the first sermon ever preached
in the English language west of the Mississippi. He was a brother to
the great Henry Clay, of Kentucky, the brilliant and almost idolized
“ Harry of the West.” Col. Taylor, the subject of this sketch, is,
therefore, a grand-nephew of the great Kentuckian. Col. Taylor’s
father enlisted in Kentucky for the War of 1812 and was commissioned
lieutenant-colonel, being, at that time, one of the youngest officers of
his rank in the army. He served with zeal and fidelity until the close

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1117

of the war and several times distinguished himself by his gallantry in
action.

In 1832 he removed to St. Louis with his family, and was shortly
appointed U. S. Register of Lands, a position he held until his death,
which occurred in 1849. His wife had died before his removal to
Missouri, in 1829. Col. Clay Taylor was the eldest of three children,
of whom he is now the only survivor, and was himself quite young at
the time of his mother’s death. He was reared in St. Louis and w.as
given superior educational advantages. After completing a prepara¬
tory course, he was sent successively to a number of the best institu¬
tions of learning in the country, taking, besides a general course, a
course in military tactics and a course in law. He studied from first
to last in the St. Louis Univerity, Maj. Laws’ Military Academy, at
St. Louis, Jacksonville (Ill.) College, Kemper’s College, St. Louis,
and took a course in law under Hon. Josiah Spaulding, of St. Louis.
About this time the Mexican war broke out, and, true to the traditions
of his family for patriotism and courage, he promptly offered himself
as a volunteer for the service of his country. He became a member
of Capt. Weightman’s company of Missouri light artillery, in which
he served for about a year. He was on Kearney’s expedition to New
Mexico, and was with Col. Doniphan on the latter’s march to join
Gen. Taylor at Buena Vista. At Gen. Taylor’s suggestion Col. Taylor
was appointed first lieutenant in the Fourth U. S. infantry, which
commission he declined, the war being ended, for the purpose of
engaging in private business. He then went West across the plains,
and was afterwards engaged in merchandising in New Mexico and
California until 1852, when he returned to St. Louis.

Here he took an active part in the North Missouri Railroad enterprise,
and shortly became financial agent and land agent of the company.
He was a member of the board of directors of that company and con¬
tributed very materially to the early success of the road. November 16,
1853, Col. Taylor was married to Miss Marie Louise, an accomplished
daughter of Gen. Bernard Pratte, ex-mayor of St. Louis and presi¬
dent of the Missouri Bank. He is mentioned in the history of that
city as being the first white male American citizen born within its
limits. Mrs. Taylor was educated at the St. Louis Convent of the
Sacred Heart. Three years after his marriage Col. Taylor removed
to Warren county, where he was residing at the time of the outbreak
of the Civil War. A Southern man by birth and family lineage and
in convictions and sympathy, he at once entered the Confederate
army, and was soon promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of ar¬
tillery and ordnance, in which he served until the close of the war.
Col. Taylor’s record in the Southern army is one of which any brave
soldier might well be proud. He was in a number of the hardest
fought battles of the war, and everywhere bore himself with gal¬
lantry and ability as an officer. One incident of a rather peculiar
nature in the life of Col. T. is worthy of mention in this connection.
In 1812 his father wrote the “ cartel ” of exchange of prisoners be¬
tween the United States government and the British government.

o o

1118

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Just 50 years to a day, afterwards, March 15, 1862, Col. T. wrote out
the “ cartel ” for the exchange of prisoners between the Confederate
States of America and the United States, Gen. Samuel Curtis repre¬
senting the United States and Col. T. the Confederate States, just after
the battle of Pea Ridge. This cartel was adhered to all during the
late Civil War. After the war Col. T. returned to Warren county,
where he has ever since continued to reside. For years he has been
an enterprising agriculturist and one of the public-spirted citizens of
the county. He is now living somewhat in retirement, however, and
is with his sons on a handsome farm of some 600 acres, known as
“ Camp Branch Farm,” one of the best farms in the north-western
part of the county.

In 1873 Col. Taylor was commissioned quartermaster-general of
the Missouri State militia by Gov. Woodson, and served in that office
through Woodson’s administration. Col. Taylor and wife had seven
children, four of whom are living, namely : Bernard P., Porter C.,
Laura E. and Medora. The deceased are Nathaniel P.", Robert W.
and Tube G. The two eldest sons are married and engaged in farm-
ing in the vicinity of the father’s homestead. Col. Taylor is vice-
president of the National Association of Mexican Veterans. As a
representative of the Clay family on his mother’s side, the table of
Henry Clay, the one on which the great Kentuckian wrote all his
famous bills introduced in Congress, has come down to Col. Taylor,
and is now in his possession, — one of the heirlooms of his family.
Col. Taylor’s father was a first cousin and also brother-in-law to Pres¬
ident Tavlor.

PROF. HENRY VOSHOLL

(Of Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton).

Prof. Vosholl is a native of Illinois, born at Blue Island on the 1st
of May, 1852. His parents, Rev. Henry Vosholl and wife, nee Miss
Louise Engelke, were both of German birth, and were reared in their
native country. The father is a minister of the M. E. Church, and a
man of superior culture as well as of deep piety. They now reside in
Missouri. The others in their family of children besides Prof. Heliry
Vosholl are Louisa, Rosetta, now the wife of Prof. Sauer, of Warren¬
ton; J. William, an attorney in Osage county, and Matilda, who is
the wife of Prof. Labhardt, of Hermann. Prof. Henry Vosholl, the
subject of this sketch, took a regular course in the institution with
which he is now connected as a teacher, graduating in the class of ’71.
Immediately following this he became a teacher in the preparatory
department of the institution, and continued in that position until
1876, when he retired from it in order to attend Boston University.
He accordingly took a post-graduate course of two years in the latter
institution. Prof. Vosholl then returned to Warrenton and was
shortly elected to the chair of English and History in the Central
Weslevan College, the duties of which he has ever since continued to
discharge.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 1119

As the above facts show, he is a man of advanced education.
His culture, as all know who are qualified to speak, is not out of
comparison with the superior opportunities he has had for an educa¬
tion. The improvement of his mind may almost be said to have been
his life work thus far, for he has been a close and hard student from
youth. Gifted with a quick, active mind and a retentive memory, he
has naturally become a scholar of wide and accurate learning. He
pursued his education with a view of becoming a teacher, regarding
this one of the most useful and honorable callings of the present age.
Thoroughly devoted to his calling, he has exerted himself to succeed
in it with that zeal and perseverance which rarely admit of disappoint¬
ments. Prof. Vosholl has already established an enviable reputation
as a teacher, and his excellent social qualities make him hardly less
esteemed in the community at large than his qualifications and success
as a teacher challenge the respect and hearty commendation of profes¬
sional educators.

CHAPTER XII.

HISTORY OF HICKORY GROVE AND CAMP BRANCH TOWNSHIPS.

Hickory Grove Township Organized — Boundary — Early History — Wright City —

Pitts Post-office — Biographical — Camp Branch Township — Boundary, Etc. —

Pioneers — Biographical.

Hickory Grove township was set off from Elkhorn^in 1839. It is
one of the most desirable portions of Warren county, there being a
larger proportion of prairie land there than characterizes the balance
of the county.

BOUNDARY.

The township is bounded on the north by Montgomery county, east
by St. Charles county, south by Charrette, and west by Elkhorn and
Charrette townships. The past history of the town contains much
that is of historic interest. At a point one mile and a half east of
Wright City was located Kennedy’s Fort, of which mention has been
made in the general history of the county. From this vicinity were
enlisted many heroes of the War of 1812, several of whom were
classed among the leading men of Missouri. The Brvans, the Boones
and other families of note lived in what is now Hickory Grove
township.

From the many families who made their homes in this vicinity at an
early day may be mentioned John Chambers, an Irishman, who first
located in St. Louis county in 1798, and afterwards removed to
Warren county. His sons, Thomas and Alexander, were both soldiers
of the War of 1812.

John Gilkev was an early settler, locating in 1824. Thomas N.

Graves was the son of a Revolutionarv soldier, and was one of the

first three judges of the Warren county court. There is on file in
the county court a certificate signed by Lewis Cass, Secretary of War,
and dated March 31, 1832, showing that the father of Thomas N.
Graves was entitled to a pension of $100 per annum as a veteran of
the first war with Great Britain. Joseph Gibson was an old settler,
and raised a large family of children. He died in Lincoln county,
aged 87 years. Guion Gibson, a Tennesseean, located in Hickory
Grove in 1810. He was a remarkably clear-headed and far-seeing
(1120)

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1121

man, raised a large family, and his sons, James, John and Guion, Jr.,
were members of Callaway’s rangers. Robert Gray, a well known
man of the early times in Warren county, settled in the vicinity of
Howell’s Prairie in 1809.

In the long list of men who distinguished themselves in those days
when fortitude and self-reliance were required to maintain a home in
the then wilderness of Warren county, no name is more conspicuous
than that of Thomas Kennedy, a soldier of the Revolution, who set¬
tled in Hickory Grove township in 1809. He built the post known in
history as Kennedy’s Fort, and was one of the foremost men of his
day. To Thomas Kennedy the early settlers looked for advice, and
upon him they depended when danger threatened them. His young¬
est son, Judge Royal J. Kennedy, yet resides on the old family home¬
stead, one and a half miles east of Wright City. In 1860 Mr. Ken¬
nedy was a member of the State Legislature, and he was at one time
a judge of the county court, and enjoys the distinction of having re¬
sided in one Territory, one State and three counties, and yet has
always lived on the same place and never changed his domicile.

The Kennedys were among the best known people of the county.
James Kennedy was one of the commissioners who laid out the old
“ Whosau Trace,” which was located in 1815, and ran westward from
St. Charles, nearly parallel with the famous Boone’s Lick road. The
“Whosau Trace” long since ceased to be known as a highway, yet
there are still traces of it to be found.

Among other early settlers of Hickory Grove were John and Will¬
iam Kent, William McConnell, James, William and Thomas Collins,
Warren Kidder, Louis Pendleton, Aaron T. McConnell, Wm. Mc¬
Connell, Jr., Lawson Carter, Cleaver Linn, Milton Edwards, Wm.
Organ and Milton J. Young.

WRIGHT CITY.

Wright City is the principal village in Hickory Grove township.
It is situated about eight miles from Warrenton, the county seat, and
is a flourishing town. The village was located and platted in 1857,
by Dr. H. C. Wright, a prominent citizen, from whom the town de¬
rives its name.

The early settlers included J. B. Oliver, a Kentuckian, who was a
well known and public-spirited man; C. M. Bryan, who opened the
first blacksmith shop ; J. V. Hays, an attorney, still practicing there ;
A. P. McConnell, who built the first store ; D. A. Bass ; Thomas Mc-
Ginness, who built and conducted the first hotel ; Henry Ordelheide,

1122

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

brother of Sheriff Ordelheide ; Andrew McConnell, who was killed
during the Civil War ; N. P. Stevenson, and James Tatum, who was
one of the leading spirits of the town, and who built and operated a
tobacco factory for several years.

The first church was originally built by the Baptists, but for years
was used by all denominations. This building was burned by the
Federal militia during 1863, reference to which event will be found
in the war history of the county. " J

Previous to the Civil War the only school wa$ at Locust Grove, about
a mile and a half west of the village. In 1865 a school-house was
erected in the village, which has since enjoyed the best of educational
facilities.

The Dr. Wright referred to, for many years was looked upon as
the leading man of the country. He was an educated gentleman, a
very distinguished physician, and withal a man who took a deep in¬
terest in all public matters. His widow yet resides in St. Louis, and
one of his daughters is the wife of R. G. Butler, assistant superin¬
tendent of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific road. Among the busi¬
ness men of Wright City, recognized for his sterling worth and
ability, none were better known than Thomas J. Fariss, at present

cashier of the Warren countv Bank at Warrenton. Mr. Fariss was

«/

for 16 years one of the leading merchants of Wright City, carryingon
business as the partner of E. F. Ordelheide, the present sheriff of the
county.

PITTS POST-OFFICE.

This post-office is located about four miles east of Warrenton, at
the store of Henry T. Emming, the only other post-office in the town¬
ship being what is known as Teuque, located in the extreme southern
portion of the town.

Camp Branch and Peruque creeks are the principal streams.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

HENRY BLATTNER,

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wright City).

Mr. Blattner is one of those energetic, enterprising citizens of for¬
eign birth with so many of whom Warren county is favored, and who
have done so much to make this county what it is, one of the pros-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1123

perous counties of North-eastern Missouri. He was born in the can¬
ton of Argan, Switzerland, August 27, 1831. When he was

about 11 years of age his parents came to America, and settled in
Warren county, where the father engaged in farming and where both
resided until their death. Henry was the youngest of three children,
and he was reared on the farm in this county. October 29, 1852, he
was married to Miss Elizabeth Leek, a daughter of Jacob and Eva
Leek, formerly of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Mr. B., however,
was born and reared in this country. Mr. Blattner followed farming
exclusively for some years after his marriage, and then also engaged
in milling and the carding business. He established a saw and grist
mill and a carding factory in this county, and ran it with success for
many years, until his entire establishment was accidentally burned
down in 1881. He brought the first portable steam engine to the
county ever used in his neighborhood. Since the burning of his mill¬
ing and carding works he has devoted his entire time and attention to

able extent in stock. He has a fine farm of nearly 300 acres, and is
comfortably situated. At the recent Republican county convention
he was given the nomination for the office of public administrator,
unsolicited on his part. As the Republicans have a majority in this
county, and as he is a man of more than ordinary popularity, he will
in all probability be elected. Mr. and Mrs. Blattner have twelve
children, namely: Louisa (deceased); Charles A. a merchant of
Wright City; Henry L., also a merchant at Wright City ; John G.,
Mary C., the wife of Victor Strach, a well-to-do young farmer of this
county; Christena S., William T., August E>, Jacob E., Julia L.,
John F. and Robert C. Mr. B. and family are members of the
Lutheran Church, and he is a member of the A. F. and A. M.

JUDGE JOHN C. CASNER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Foristel).

Judge Casner came to Warren county from West Virginia, where
he had previously lived from his birth, in 1865, and settled in Warren
county, near Foristell, where he bought a good farm and engaged in
farming and raising stock. His experience here since that time
has been an entirely successful one, and he has risen in popular
esteem among the people of the county as a worthy farmer and use¬
ful citizen, not less than he has prospered in material affairs. He
has an excellent farm of 320 acres, nearly all of which is either
in active cultivation or meadow or pasturage. It is beyond ques¬
tion one of the best and most desirable farms of Hickory Grove town¬
ship. He is an energetic, neat and thrifty farmer and has set an
example of successful farm life that is well worthy of imitation.
Judge Casner is a man of solid intelligence and sober, sound, good
judgment, as well as a man of excellent business qualifications and
agreeable, popular manners. Always hospitable at his comfortable
home, and pleasant and dignified in his bearing toward all whom he

1124

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

meets, he has very naturally won the confidence and esteem of the
public and challenged general respect and appreciation for his sterling
worth and usefulness as a citizen.

In 1874 such was his standing in the county, that he was
elected presiding justice of the county court by a majority of
his fellow-citizens highly complimentary to him, personally. He
held that important and responsible office no less than eight years,
consecutively, by the repeated indorsement of the people of the
county, and as long as he would consent to be burdened with its
duties and responsibilities. Judge Casner was born in Brook county,
W. Ya., March 8, 1828, and was a son of James and Elsie (Kerr)
Casner, his father originally of Maryland, but his mother from New
Jersey. His grandfather Casner was a gallant old soldier in the
War for Independence. His mother is still living, now a resident of
Troy, Mo. ; but his father died in 1842. Both were members of the
Presbyterian Church. John C. was the second of their family of eight
children, and was reared in his native county. He was married there
November 9, 1858, to Miss Rosa Y. Smith, a daughter of Andrew and
Jane Smith, of that county. In the fall of 1858 (December) he
moved to Mahaska county, Iowa, and continued to reside there, en¬
gaged in farming, until 1865, when he came to Missouri and settled
in Warren county, as stated above. The Judge and Mrs. Casner have
four children : Judson S., Lizzie (deceased), Edward H. and Dwight
E. He and wife are members of the Congregational Church.

CARR EDWARDS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Cappeln).

The Edwards family is one of the old and highly respected families
of North-east Missouri. Branches of it are found in nearly every
county of this section of the State. The family came originally from
Virginia, and different representatives of it settled in this part of the
State in 1883 up to a short time before the war. Mr. Edwards’ pa¬
ternal grandparents settled in Warren county in 1838. His father,
John A. B. Edwards, was then a youth 14 years of age. He grew
up in this county, and was married to Miss Elizabeth Edwards, a
cousin of his. They reared a family of six children, two others hav¬
ing died in tender vears. The father is still living on the old family
homestead, which his father settled nearly half a century ago. Carr
Edwards, named for his maternal grandfather, was born in this
county February 11, 1858. He was reared on the farm and secured
good school advantages in youth and young manhood. After the
usual course in the common schools, he entered the State Normal
School at Kirksville in 1875, where he took a course in the higher
branches. He then engaged in teaching and continued in that occu¬
pation with success for three years. In 1879 he matriculated at the
State University, and besides taking a course in the general studies
took a special course in civil engineering and surveying. He then re¬
sumed teaching and taught for two vears. But tiring of the school-

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1125

room and feeling that he ought to engage in something else more
substantial than teaching, having married in the meantime, he settled
down to farming and stock raising, in which he has ever since been
engaged. Mr. Edwards resides in section 24, of Hickory Grove town¬
ship, near Cappeln, across in St. Charles county. He was married
October 27, 1881, to Miss Jennie Ferrell, a daughter of Hutchens B.
Ferrell, of St. Charles county. Mrs. E. was educated at Woodlawn
Seminary, and at Fairview Female Institute. They have one child,
Edmonia Addella.

REV. HEINRICH S. FEIX

(Pastor von der Friedens und Harmonie Geraeinde, Wright City).

Rev. Mr. Feix, pastor of the “ Peace and Harmony Congregation ”
of the German Evangelical Church, at Wright City, has had charge
of this congregation, which he himself organized, ever since its organ¬
ization, in 1880. He had then only recently been ordained a minister
of the German Evangelical Church, after a thorough course of general
and theological studies. Almost from boyhood, up to the time of his
ordination, his time was spent either at school or college, and to the
best advantage, for habits of close, assiduous study have always been
one of his most marked characteristics. A regular graduate in theol¬
ogy when he came to Wright City, and a man of wide and varied
learning and earnest piety, his experience here as a minister has been
a most successful one, and one not less satisfactory to himself than
gratifying to his church or useful to the cause of religion. Bv his
zeal, eloquence and ability he has succeeded in building up a large and
flourishing congregation, one of the most creditable, in numbers, to be
found in the State anywhere outside of a large city. Rev. Mr. Feix
is a native of Indiana, born at Cannelton, January 1, 1858. He comes
of a highly respected German-American family. His father, Conrad
Feix, was from the old country, as was also his mother, whose maiden
name was Mary Roeder. His father was reared at Lenzahn, in Nas¬
sau, of which city he was subsequently mayor for a number of years.
On the outbreak of the Revolution, in 1848, he entered the regular
army in which he fought bravely until the year 1850. He then came
to America and located at Cannelton, Ind., where he became largely
interested in coal mining. He accumulated a comfortable property,
and now he and wife are living in retirement, making their home with
the subject of this sketch, at Wright City.

Rev. Heinrich S. Feix was reared at Cannelton, and from early boy¬
hood up to the age of 14 his time was spent in the local schools of that
place. *He was then sent to the Chicago Academy for general educa¬
tion. After a course of two years there he was sent to the Elmhurst
Seminary, of Elmhurst, Ill. Young Feix continued at Elmhurst until
1876, when he matriculated at Missouri Seminary, in Femme Osage,
where he took a regular theological course of four years. He gradu¬
ated at that institution with marked distinction in the class of ’80, and
was thereupon duly ordained a minister of the German Evangelical

1126

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Church by a synod composed of Insp. L. Haeberle, Dr. E. Otto and
Rev. Langpaap. He at once came to Wright City after his ordination
and organized his present congregation.

PIERRE FORISTELL

(Farmer ancl Stock-raiser, Post-office, Foristell).

The history of the town of Foristell is^iven in the general county his¬
tory of the present work, and it is, therefore, not necessary to occupy
space here with that. Mr. Foristell was left an orphan boy at the
age of 10 years without a penny and friendless in the city of St. Louis,
by the death of both of his parents. He even had no home to go to,
and certainly his outlook for the future was as gloomy as of that of
any unfortunate little waif to be found floating about in a great me¬
tropolis. But in this country, and, indeed, in no other country can
one’s future be estimated by what his circumstances are in early life.
The friendless and penniless boy of the present may be the wealthy
and influential citizen of the future, while the child of affluence may
be dependent on the charity of his whilom play-fellow of poverty.
Mr. Foristell at the age of 10 }^ears, his parents having died, went to
work as a boy of all service at the stock- yards in St. Louis. There
he met Willis Buford, a stockman from Warren county, who took a
fancy to him and offered him a home on his farm in this county, which
young Foristell gladly accepted. He worked on Mr. Buford’s farm,
attending school a few months each winter, until the war broke out,
when he became a volunteer in the Southern service. He served out
his term in the State Guard, after which he returned home to Warren
county and engaged in stock trading. In this he has continued with
success ever since. For several years he was also engaged in the to¬
bacco business at Foristell. Of course, he has carried on farming all
the time. In 1870 he bought a tract of land near Foristell, and on
which he made his home. He now owns other valuable tracts of
land, and altogether has nearly 600 acres in Warren and St. Charles
counties. His land is all well improved, and his homestead at Foris¬
tell is one of the handsomest farms in the county. January 24, 1865,
Mr. Foristell was married to Miss Powetan Travis, a daughter of John
and Minta (Young) Travis, of Warren county, but formerly of Vir¬
ginia. Mr. and Mrs. Foristell have a family of six children : Mary
F., John E., Mattie O., Pierre O., Edwin M. and Naomi W. Mat-
O. is deceased. Mrs. Foristell is a lady of culture and refinement.
Mary F. was married to Dr. C. E. Pringle, October 1, 1884. John
E. (or J. Emmet) is a student of the Central Wesleyan College. Mrs.
Foristell is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Foristell was
born in the county Killkenny, Ireland, December 15, 1840. His
parents were Thomas and Joanna (O’Keif) Foristell, both of the
county Kilkenny. They came from Ireland in 1850, and located
at St. Louis, where both died shortly afterwards.

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1127

DANIEL McGOWN

(Retired Farmer, Post-office, Foristell) .

At the venerable age of 88, Grandfather McGown, as all who know
him now call him, is living in retirement from the active labors and
responsibilities of life, and his good wife, his beloved and faithful
companion for over half a century, having been laid to rest some
years ago, until the morning of eternal life shall dawn, he now finds a
welcome and pleasant home in the bosom of the family of his dutiful
and loving daughter, Mrs. John A. Moore. Mr. McGown had a long
and active career as a farmer, and one not unattended with substantial
success. But, better than this, he has lived a life on which no shadow
of reproach has ever fallen, and now that his earthly day is nearing its
close, his name shines brighter than ever before. He and his good
wife reared a large and worthy family of children, who have become
well settled in life and themselves the heads of respected families.
In a word, he has performed a worthy and useful mission, has lived
out more than the average allotment of days, which have been devoted
to honest and useful industry, and has made for himself a name that
is mentioned with respect whenever spoken, and that will be cherished
with veneration by many who have known him, and by all who have
felt the beneficent influence of his life and example, long after he
shall have passed away.

Daniel McGown, the subject of this sketch, was born in Maryland,
April 20, 1796. His parents, Henry and Margaret McGown, were
both of Irish birth, but came over to this country when they were
still young. They were married in Maryland and soon after the birth
of their eldest son, Daniel McGown, they removed to Virginia,
where they made their permanent home. They lived to advanced
ages, respected residents, and were widely and profoundly mourned at
their deaths. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in that
calling placed himself in comfortable circumstances. Daniel McGown
was reared in Virginia, and was married there, May 18, 1820, to Miss
Frances Torley. She was a daughter of Curtis and Sarah Torley,
both of old and respected Virginia families. Mr. McGown continued
to reside in Virginia, engaged in the occupation of farming, until
1834, when he removed to Missouri and settled in St. Charles countv.
There he shortly bought land and improved an excellent farm. He
made his home in St. Charles county, where he reared his family of
children, until some 12 months ago, when, his good wife having pre¬
viously died, he yielded to the earnest solicitations of his daughter,
Mrs. John A. Moore, of Warren county, and came to make his home
with her, where he has ever since continued. When the War of 1812
broke out he was a youth not yet of military age, but he nevertheless
promptly enlisted for the service of his country, and continued in the
army until the close of the war. Aside from that he has performed
no public service to speak of, and although always taking a public-

1128

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

spirited interest in civil affairs, he has confined himself simply to the
duties of a private citizen, having no taste for public life or desire for
prominence or notoriety. His life has been devoted almost exclu¬
sively to his farming interests, his family and his church for many
years. *

Throughout his long residence in St. Charles county he was known
far and wide as one of the great-hearted, hospitable, old farmer
citizens of the county, at whose house it was a pleasure to be. His
good wife died in 1872, on the 30th of July, after a happy married
life of over 52 years. They were blest with a family of ten children,
as follows: Henry C., who is now a retired capitalist, a resident of
Golden City, Mo. ; Sarah E., wife of John A. Moore, of Warren
county, where Grandfather McGown now makes his home ; Altha N.,
who is the widow of the late William Gray of St. Louis, and the
mother of Mrs. Emily F. Nixon, the wife of John T. Nixon, of the
Nixon-Jones Printing Company of that city ; Daniel T., a successful
farmer of Barton county, Mo. ; George Q., who died August 3, 1855,
in his twenty-seventh year ; Francis M., the wife of Benjamin B.
Luckett, a substantial farmer of St. Charles county; Polly A., the
wife of William Bowman, also a well-to-do farmer of that county ;
Luther A., late a practicing physician of Greene county, but who has
been dead a number of years ; Martha J., who died in young maiden¬
hood, in 1854, and James A., who lost his life in Mississippi while in
the service of the South, during the late war.

JOHN A. MOORE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Foristell).

For 45 years Mr. Moore has been a resident of Warren county. He
came here from Virginia in 1839, then a young man about 23 years of
age. The following year, January 21, 1840, he was married to Miss
Sarah McGown, a daughter of Daniel and Frances (Corley) McGown,
also formerly of Virginia. About the time of his marriage Mr.
Moore settled down to farming in this county and has been engaged
in that occupation ever since. For many years past he has united
stock raising with farming, and by energy and good management has
accumulated a competence. He has an excellent farm of 360 acres
in Hickory Grove township, not far from Foristell, across in St.
Charles county. Mr. Moore was born in Henry county, Va., No¬
vember 9, 1816. His father was Alexander Moore, formerly of North
Carolina, and his mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Pace, born
and reared in Virginia. They were married in Virginia and came to
Warren county in 1839, John A. coming with them. The father,
who was a farmer by occupation, died here October 5, 1845. The
mother died in 1865. They had a family of 13 children, of whom
John A. was the eighth. He was reared in Virginia, as stated above,
and was married shortly after coming to Missouri. His wife, Mrs.
Moore, was born in Virginia, January 11, 1823. Her parents early
settled in St. Charles county. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had nine

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1129

children, six of whom are living, Mary J., the wife of H. W. Thur¬
man, resides in this county; Margaret A., who died in girlhood;
George J., who died in early boyhood ; Laura E., who is the wife of
R. P. Young, of Alton, Oregon county; Virginia T. is the wife of
Henry Perkins, a farmer and stock dealer of California ; Fannie E. is
the wife of Thomas Hughes, a farmer of Warren county ; Nannie A.,
who is the wife of Daniel Bishop, and resides on the farm with her
father-in-law ; Ella G. is the wife of Eugene Lucas, a farmer of Mont¬
gomery county ; William Thomas was born November 9, 1856, and
died at the State University at Columbia, in 1876, aged 19 years and
11 months. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Primitive
Baptist Church.

CAMP BRANCH TOWNSHIP.

Camp Branch was one of the original townships, established in
1833, when the county was organized. It is bounded on the north
and east by Lincoln county ; south, by Elkhorn township, and on the
west by Montgomery county. Within its limits are many of the most
desirable farms in Warren county, the land having been largely
cleared of the timber which formerly covered two-thirds of the town¬
ship.

The principal stream is Camp Branch creek, although many small
creeks and branches afford plenty of good clear water.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The early settlers of Camp Branch township included many of the
foremost men of the county. Among the first to locate was Conrad
Yater, a German, who married in Virginia and came to Warren
county in 1818. He erected several mills on Camp Branch creek,
and in his day was considered a driving, energetic man. His widow
still lives in the township. William Gibson, a Scotchman, was one
of the earlv settlers. His sons, John and William, are now well
known merchants in St. Louis. Among other residents of the town¬
ship in the early days were William Hankins, who is now living in
the south-western part of the State at an advanced age ; Robert Gar¬
rett, Carter Crouch, Josiah Camp, Alfred McClure, Rev. Willis Jones,
a famous Ironside Baptist preacher; Thomas Garrett, Jesse Garrett,
Joseph Camp, whose widow is yet alive, aged 92 years ; Dr. W. W.
Farrow, Dr. Thomas Farrow, Peter Harmon, a prominent stock
dealer, who was president of the first county agricultural society ;
Hudson S. Cravens, Walter Carrico, a descendant of an old Spanish
family who came into the State when Missouri was part of Louisiana
territory.

1130

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

PHELIX CARRICO

('Farmer, and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Pendleton).

The Carrico family was one of the first to settle in Missouri. Mr.
Carrico’s grandfather came to St. Louis, then a French trading post,
in 1781, over 20 years before the territory of Louisiana, which in¬
cluded Missouri and all the country from New Orleans up and west¬
ward to the Pacific Ocean not owned by Spain, was ceded to the
United States. He settled permanently at that place, where he became
successfully interested in business, and reared a family of children.
Among these was Walter Carrico, the father of the subject of the
present sketch. He was born in St. Louis City and after he grew
up was married there to Miss Elizabeth Martin, formerly of Tennessee.
B\' this union there were nine children, who lived to reach mature
years, namely: Susan, Margaret (deceased), John (deceased),
Louisa, Lydia, Parmelia, Elizabeth, David (deceased) and Nancy,
besides Phelix, the subject of this sketch. The mother died August
6, 1856, in Warren county, the family having removed to this county

some four vears before. Here Walter Carrico became an extensive
•/

farmer, considering the times, and a large land owner. He was mar¬
ried twice after his first wife’s death. His second wife, who was
previously Mrs. Elizabeth Browning, a widow lady, left him one
child at her death. His third wife, nee Lucy E. Musick, bore him
three children : Amanda, Isabel and Walter. In 1864 the father
returned to St. Louis county with his family, principally on
account of the unsettled condition of affairs here, but some
years after the war he came back to Warren county, where he
resided until his death, in the fall of 1875. Phelix Carrico, the second
in his father’s first family of children, was born in St. Louis county,
September 15, 1827, and was there reared and educated, having the
advantage of a common-school course. On the 4th of April, 1852,
he was married to Mrs. Lydia Adams, widow of James Adams, de¬
ceased, and a daughter of Phelix and Matilda (Jenkins) Carrico.
After his marriage Mr. Carrico continued farming, to which he had
been brought up, and handling stock in St. Louis county until 1853,
when he removed to Caldwell county. Mo., where he resided for about
three years. Returning then to St. Louis county, he remained there
but a year and came thence to Warren county. He, too, returned to
St. Louis county in 1864, but came to Warren as soon as the war was
over, or early in 1866. Mr. Carrico has been successfully engaged in
farming and stock-raising ever since he was a young man. He has a
large stock farm in this county, which is well improved and con¬
veniently arranged for handling stock. His lauded estate amounts to

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

1131

about 1,300 acres, and he is recognized as one of the substantial and
prominent agriculturists of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Carrico have
five children: Walter P., Lydia J., Sterling P., William N. and
David A. Walter P. married Miss Ellen Stone and is a farmer
of this county; Lydia J. is the wife of Rupert Gerdermann ; Sterling
P. married Miss Sarah Hunchberger, and is a farmer of this county.
Mr. Carrico is a member of the Catholic Church and his wife of the
M. E. Church South.

FREDERICK HUKRIEDE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Truxton).

Among the successful men of Warren county and substantial,
highly respected citizens, is the subject of the present sketch, who com¬
menced for himself without a dollar, and has made all he is
worth by his own industry and intelligence and by Steady, honest
methods. He landed at Baltimore from Germany in 1856, alone and
a stranger and without as much as a dollar in money, being then 16 years
of age. Shortly he came on to Warren county, stopping first to work for
means to defray his expenses. Here he went to work with that in¬
dustry and resolution which could not fail of success. The result is
that he now has a fine place of 400 acres in section 34 of township
48 and range 3. In a word, he is in comparatively easy circum¬
stances. Mr. Hukriede was born in Lienen, Prussia, April 9, 1840,
and remained at home until he was 16 years of age. His parents,
Ernst and Elizabeth (Lehme) Hukriede, spent their whole lives in
Prussia, the father dying there in 1865 and the mother in 1870. Both
were members of the Presbyterian Church. September 24, 1863,
Mr. Hukriede was married to Miss Caroline Brunert, a daughter of
H. F. and Wilhelmina (Diedert) Brunert, formerly of Germany. Mr.
and Mrs. H. have had seven children, namely : Paulina, Louis C.,
Ulysses (deceased), Laura, Caroline W., Orlanda F. and Theodore
W. Mr. and Mrs. H. and their daughter Paulina are members of
the M. E. Church. Mr. Hukriede was in the Union service during
the war, and was lieutenant of Co. D, Third M. S. M.

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Full text of "History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri .."

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